Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Accounting Technician in Fort Harrison, Montana
Summary This position is located at the VA Fort Harrison Montana Health Care System in Financial Management Services. This position reports to the Assistant Finance Officer. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-07. At the GS-05 and GS-06 grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-07. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Performs a variety of duties in relation to maintaining general ledger and subsidiary accounts in a field station medical center setting. reviews and approves requisitions for services, supplies, real property, equipment, and adjustments for all appropriation. Processes reviewed obligations as assigned for proper standard numbering schema for obligations in accordance with VA Policies and Procedures ensuring overall expenditure controls are maintained and adhere to audit controls. Completes detailed monthly reconciliations. Reviews, approves, and transmits all receiving reports to FMS. Matches receiving reports with the original obligation for partial and/or complete liquidation. Audit's payment documents received from Beneficiary Travel, CWT Program, Patient Funds, Agent Cashier and various department throughout the facility for correctness. Verifies and processes the imprest fund reimbursement. Processes replenishments of the Agent Cashier Advance by coding appropriate accounting transaction to FMS. Verifies appropriations and calculates accuracy of the accountability report. Serves as an administrator for Invoice Payment Processing System (IPPS) granting access, correcting errors, researching inquiries, and troubleshooting any problems that arise through inquiry from internal and external customers. Performs comprehensive audits, analysis, evaluations and gathers documentation,. Reviews records to determine accuracy of costing, timeliness of reconciliations, and appropriateness of purchases. Ensures proper accounting procedures are enforced to accurately record financial transactions. Prepares written reports on the results of audits, reviews, and evaluations. Serves as Agent Cashier or Alternate Agent Cashier, which is responsible for the collection and disbursing of funds as appropriate. Serves as back-up to the employee travel clerk (transportation assistant) assisting with reviewing and processing Travel authorizations/vouchers, booking reservations, or setting up of accounts. Serves as primary/alternate timekeeper. Serves as the accounts receivable clerk. Ensures billing procedures are followed to reclaim any funds due to the Medical Center. Issues bills of collection for financial management. Creates and/or monitors daily and ad hoc reports for use within the accounting department ensuring all rejects and errors are promptly corrected within one day. Assists the Assistant Financial Officer and the Chief Financial Officer in preparation of various reports by making various calculations, gathering costs from various sources, and ensuring mathematical accuracy of these reports. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Telework :Not Approved Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" below for details. Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements: GS-5 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One full year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-4) in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes working within automated accounting and financial systems, entering transactions and accounting data; and using Microsoft Word and Excel software programs. OR GS-5 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Successful completion of four (4) years of education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. OR GS-5 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of 2 years) combined with specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. OR GS-6 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the federal service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this Accounting Technician position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes working within automated accounting and financial systems, entering transactions, accounting data, and maintaining various ledgers; using Microsoft Word and Excel software programs; reconciling/balancing accounts; and preparing financial/accounting data reports. OR GS-7 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-6) in the federal service that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this Accounting Technician position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes working within automated accounting and financial systems, entering transactions, accounting data, and maintaining various ledgers; using Microsoft Word and Excel software programs; reconciling/balancing accounts; preparing financial/accounting data reports; and conducting audits, examining financial transactions, and resolving discrepancies/problems. Can serve as Agent Cashier or Alternate Agent Cashier. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Accounting Operations Analysis and Problem Solving Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Manages and Organizes Information IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items such as papers and books. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.