ACCOUNTANT

About the role

Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) mission is to lead the Department of Defense (DoD) in finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information. Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.

All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply online, you may contact *** for assistance.

What you will do

• Proposes new procedures and methods or modifies existing procedures and methods to resolve current problems and enhance the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes.
• Serves as a staff expert regarding the operational accounting functions and the application of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
• Identifies problem areas and determines actions required to improve operating program effectiveness, ensure the propriety of accounting transaction processing, and maintain the integrity of accounting records and financial information.
• Assists customers with accounting data interpretation, applies financial data to management problems, and develops extracts of accounting systems data for use in financial program execution analysis.
• Provides professional accounting advice and assistance to supported organizations and lower-graded accountants and/or accounting technicians in the resolution of diverse, complex, or controversial accounting problems.

Education

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. GS-12 Substitution of Education for Experience: Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

If you are using education to substitute for the qualifying experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (***)

How you will be evaluated

IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.

You will be evaluated on how well your qualifications, as demonstrated in your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses on the application, meet the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. DFAS recognizes the value of competencies gained through formal education and professional certifications.

To ensure that consistent credit is given for these credentials in the selection process, DFAS has developed standard selection criteria to be used when filling positions in professional and administrative series. Selections for professional and administrative positions will be based on four categories of selection criteria: Experience, Other, Education, and Certifications.

Documents you must provide

• You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1.
• Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required.
• Applicant guidance on the two-page resume requirement may be found at *** or at ***
• Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement.
• Transcripts and/or Certifications: All applicants to include current agency employees, must submit proof of education if the job announcement requires education to meet the basic qualification requirements, or if substituting education to meet the specialized experience requirements.
• For additional information on acceptable documents, click here Transcripts and Certifications.
• All applicants to include current agency employees/contractors must also document your education and/or certifications in your resume.
• To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Other Supporting Documents.
• The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status.
• They must be received by the closing date of the announcement 1.
• SF-50: Current and former federal employees, including those currently working for the agency, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type, if applicable.
• Cover Letter: You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume.
• Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility.
• Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
• You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference.
• Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
• You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference.
• Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
• You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference.
• Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
• You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference.
• Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
• WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) , 09/24/2026 or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.
• To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information.
• The Details page will display the status of your application.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate.
• HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

What to expect next

The resume you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job and to identify the best-qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps is completed.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Additional information

Moving expenses will not be paid. Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.

As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service.

At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. Travel requirement is 0-24% Seldom This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA). Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here).

PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.

The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date.

If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.

Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination.

For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer.

Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.