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Defense Finance and Accounting Service

Accountant

Location: Multiple Locations
Requires Relocation: No
Start Date: 12/11/2025
End Date: 26/11/2025
Offering Type: Permanent
Hiring Paths: Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Federal employees - Competitive service, Military spouses, Veterans
Service Type: Competitive
Travel Percentage: 25% or less
Full Time On-site

Defense Finance and Accounting Service

About Defense Finance and Accounting Service

DFAS’ (Defense Finance and Accounting Service) mission is to lead the DoD (Department of Defense) in finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information. We take pride in serving the men and women who defend America. DFAS is seeking goal-oriented people who like a challenge and care about serving our country. We offer rewarding careers in finance, accounting, information systems, contracting services, human resources, clerical work and many other areas.

Summary

Job summary

Who may apply: Current, permanent DoD Federal Civilian Employees in the competitive service, eligible Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference applicants, eligible PPP applicants, and current DoD VRA employees. **This Job Opportunity Announcement is using an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Please review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, HOW TO APPLY and NEXT STEPS sections below for instructions.

Major duties

Provides professional accounting advice and assistance to organizational managers in the review and analysis of a variety of accounting documents. Conducts audits of financial data to identify/isolate problem sources and effects. Analyzes financial information using trend, comparative, and statistical analyses to identify continuing problems and to provide written requests for improvement/corrective action. Compiles, analyzes, and prepares, synopses of financial data and statistics. Identifies, isolates, conceptualizes, and analyzes a variety of conditions/situations within accounting systems and financial information. Researches supporting documents to resolve invalid data element relationships. Initiates contact with financial managers providing analytical details or advice/recommendations required to correct erroneous conditions, accounting discrepancies, etc. Provides technical advice and assistance to accounting technicians and financial managers in analyzing and correcting erroneous transactions. The duties, described above, represent the major duties performed at the GS-11 level. The duties performed for developmental positions will be of limited scope and complexity to develop skills, proficiency, and work experience.

Qualification

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below: (1) Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. OR (2) Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor. You need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-7 if applying for the GS-9, GS-9 if applying for the GS-11) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. To be hired at the GS-9 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-7 if applying at the GS-9 level) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized experience at the GS 9 level is defined as experience such as: Researching and interpreting financial regulations, policies and laws to provide substantive recommendations and advice to managers; analyzing and evaluating reports and data from financial systems to identify issues and discrepancies; and researching and interpreting financial policies and laws to resolve financial issues. To be hired at the GS-11 grade level: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-09 if applying at the GS-11 level) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. Specialized Experience at the GS-11 is defined as: Providing professional accounting services in the interpretation and application of accounting principles, policies, and procedures; designing, implementing and assessing internal control processes; conducting studies of financial management execution activities; enhancing the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes. Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. To be considered for the GS-9, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-7 or higher in the Federal service. To be considered for the GS-11, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-9 or higher in the Federal service. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

GS-9 Substitution of Education for Experience: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

Evaluations

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.