ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN

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.

What you will do

• Researches current accounts, historical data, source documents, etc., to develop and explain detailed information not otherwise readily available.
• Researches accounting data and performs balancing and reconciling of accounts.
• Processes all types of accounting transactions and requests for establishment of additional accounting records.
• Verifies the accuracy, completeness, and validity of a wide variety of accounting functions/transactions including: obligations; accrued expenditures; disbursements; appropriation refunds; reimbursable orders; earnings and collections.
• Assists in implementing and maintaining Internal Control Program requirements to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Duties will be developmental in nature when the position is filled below the full performance level.

Education

GS-05 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Four years of successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation, or the equivalent, is a prerequisite may be substituted to meet the specialized experience required.

Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. GS-06 Substitution of Education for Experience: Six months of graduate education may be substituted to meet the specialized experience required when it is directly related to the work of the position being filled.

If you are using education to substitute for the specialized 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 (***).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified".

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application.

Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.

Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 1 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment.

If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 1 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period.

Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service.

Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at FM Certification.

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.

Criminal History Inquiries - If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer.

If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ *** (this call center group box will be the intake for complaints and will forward to appropriate POCs).

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 OPM.gov or at USAJ Resource Center.
• 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.
• Transcripts and/or Certifications: You must submit documentation if you are substituting education for experience.
• For additional information on acceptable documents or to see if you must submit documentation click here Transcripts and Certifications.
• You must also document your education and/or certifications in your resume.
• SF-50: Current or former federal employees to include current agency employees must submit a Notification of Personnel Action reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis, tenure and appointment type.
• Veterans Documentation: Click to review these authorities and documents verifying eligibility for a VEOA, VRA and/or 30% or more disabled veterans hiring authorities.
• 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.
• To download the checklist, select "Save" or "Save As" instead of "Open." Save the document to your device then open it as a PDF.
• Once the form is opened, select "Enable All Features" and the form will populate so that it can be completed. *** 5.
• 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.
• ICTAP Eligibles: A copy of the RIF separation notice and SF-50 if available.
• Other Special Hiring Authorities: Click here to review these authorities and the documentation you are required to submit.
• 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.
• WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST)11/10/2026, 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

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.

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. Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA).

This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Shortage Category and/or Critical Hiring of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.

Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.

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. A one year probationary or trial period may be required.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Seldom.

This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

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) 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. Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. This job announcement is being utilized to fill current and future anticipated vacancies.

In some instances, individuals may not start until up to six (6) months from the time they are found favorable from a suitability/security perspective.