Senior Staff Accountant

About the role

The Division of Administration (DA or Division) directs the innovative internal management of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC or Commission) business, human resources, financial, technological, security, and strategic operational resources.

The Division's role is to effectively and efficiently ensure the fulfillment of the Commission's mission through continued success in continuity of operations.

What you will do

• As a Staff Accountant you will have the responsibility for, ensuring that CFTC meets all financial reporting requirements, is compliant with financial management laws and regulations governing business processes, systems, and practices.
• Duties may include: Preparing financial statements that are in accordance with Federal GAAP for management, the Congress, and the American public.
• Preparing/Reviewing various reports for submission to Treasury/OMB, including, Central Accounting Reporting System (CARS), Governmentwide Treasury Account Symbol Adjusted Trial Balance (GTAS), Payment Integrity Information Act (PIIA), and Data Act.
• Responsibilities for executing accounting and financial management functions, which include performing financial reporting and oversight of financial operations, drafting accounting policy, position papers and providing guidance and financial advice to the CFTC programs and overseeing and leading other key financial activities.
• Serving as a senior-level subject matter/technical expert for a variety of accounting policies and processes, methods, and practices.
• Formulating solutions to unusual and complex accounting issues and/or problems.
• Supporting the annual financial statement audit.
• Researching and recommending solutions for complex accounting issues.
• Formulating, developing and managing accounting and financial management policies, procedures and directives.
• Performing and documenting assessments of internal controls over financial reporting and information technology controls in financial systems in compliance with OMB Circular A-123, Management's Responsibility for Internal Control.

Education

Please refer to the OPM Accounting Series Qualification Standard for the specific Education/Experience requirements for this position. Basic Requirements: Degree: accounting; 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. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard.

Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.") OR Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge.

The applicant's background must also include one of the following: Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality.

This can include up to 6 hours of business law; A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see ***

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

This recruitment will utilize the following assessment tools: SME Evaluative Review When the application process is complete, we will review your resume and other supporting documentation, to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement.

To qualify for this position, your resume must demonstrate sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. For the first level of review, your resume is the key evaluate your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position.

Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. Your resume cannot exceed more than 2 pages. SME Evaluative Review: Subject Matter Expert (SME) will independently review your resume to assess how well your experience demonstrates the required competencies for this position listed in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

SMEs will assign scores based on the strength, relevance, and clarity of the information provided in your resume. These individual evaluations will then be combined to determine your final score or rating category. If you are found qualified, you may be referred to the selecting official.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• A complete package, to include required documents, are required at the time of application.
• Late documents will not be accepted.
• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max).
• If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision (required); Cover letter (optional); Most recent performance appraisal (optional); SF-50 providing proof of time in grade requirements or status on a career or career-conditional appointment, (required); Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended (required); Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement.
• If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
• Content of Resume: Your resume or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications.
• Therefore, it is important that your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer.
• In describing your experience, please be clear and specific.
• It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week).
• If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
• To assist you in sending in a complete resume, use the checklist at: *** Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package.
• Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement.
• Please read all instructions before you begin.
• Resume Requirements: Resumes are limited to two (2) pages.
• Resumes should focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities; accomplishments and results; and training and education relevant to this position.
• Resumes must be in the following format (for each position held relevant to this position): Short summary of position duties Accomplishments while in the position Results of those accomplishments Copying and pasting position descriptions into a resume is not acceptable.
• 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.
• Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).
• Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
• If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
• To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria.
• You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.
• Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: ***
• CTAP Candidates MUST submit: 1.
• A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2.
• A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3.
• A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4.
• A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.

What to expect next

For information on what each Application Status means, visit: *** Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.

Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Additional information

This is NOT a Bargaining Unit Position. Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid. Time-in-Grade: You must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, if applicable.

Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: Your performance and conduct; The needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.

The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience.

Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information. The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives.

The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.