Accountant
Anchorage, AK - USA
Job Summary
This position is located in the Division of Financial Management Accounting Branch. Incumbent is also expected to provide professional advice on accounting issues system problems and appropriate recommendations to the Accounting Officer.
A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7 2025 in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).
- Manages the program operations effectively by ensuring the lnternal control systems are working as designed.
- Manages staff reporting functions to assure that required reports are accurate and submitted to appropriate officials or authorities by the due dates.
- Participates in the development of procedures accounting methods techniques and formats to facilitate installation of general ledger accounts cost accounting systems and internal controls applicable to automated accounting systems.
- Advising management on accounting and financial management matters
Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
Background Investigation Requirement:
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individuals identity employment history education and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.
Upon receipt of instructions applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.
Financial Suitability Requirement:
This position requires a review of the applicants financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility maintain good standing with creditors and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.
Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including but not limited to delinquent federal or state tax liabilities defaulted federal student loans court-ordered fines or fees or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
Prior to the appointment candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or drivers license it must be REAL ID-compliant.
To qualify for this position your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.
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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):
- 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 applicants background must also include oneof 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 applicants education training and experience fully meet the specified requirements.
In addition to the Basic Requirements you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Experience in managing staff reporting functions to assure that required reports are accurate and submitted to appropriate officials by the due dates. Experience in maintaining communication with operating officials at the Treasury DFO or Headquarters for the purpose of supplying financial data; Experience in managing a program operations by ensuring the debt management policy and internal control systems are working as designed. Experience in assigning workloads spot checking completed work to insure conformity with guideline or regulations
Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.
Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: 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
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ( 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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
This position is ineligible for the Bargaining Unit.
You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.