Veterans Health Administration
Accounting Technician
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Summary
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/26/2026. Individual Occupational Requirements: There are no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: examine all accounts in order to analyze and detect trends and problems that affect the overall operations of accounting Knowledge of various accounting systems software package applications and computer systems and contents to resolve problems of processed transactions Knowledge of related financial regulations and rulings covering diverse types of transactions to typically function as a technical authority for resolution of an extensive range of problems or issues 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary, but some walking, bending, and lifting is required as in a normal business environment. Work Environment: Work is performed in a normal office setting. There is pressure to meet mandatory deadlines of monthly,quarterly, and year-end reports and processing For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Major Duties
MAJOR DUTIES Financial Data Review/Verification The Accounting Technician troubleshoots complex situations and resolves complex problems by reviewing accounting data and documents for accuracy and out of balance conditions. The employee identifies and resolves a wide range of discrepancies by determining where errors have occurred and the cause(s) of the errors. Conducts extensive research before taking corrective action for all discrepancies found and decides the steps necessary to correct the problem(s), ensuring all corrective actions are completed. Provides guidance and assistance to lower graded technicians and assists them in solving problems. The employee examines and maintains financial accounts and accounting data. Classifies accounting transactions verifying the accuracy and completeness of the accounting data. Determines the general ledger accounts, journals, and subsidiary accounts affected, and the debit and credit entries to be made. Summarizes transactions and prepares control documents or other posting documents reflecting the entries to be processed. Has technical responsibility for the maintenance, auditing, and reconciliation of general ledger and subsidiary accounts, for the preparation of accurate and timely reports, and for the control of funds. Determines the nature of errors and adjusts in the correct appropriation to a variety of interrelated accounts. Researches, interprets, and verifies which appropriation and general ledger accounts a document and subsequent accounting transactions will affect; establishes routines for input of these transactions. The employee supports various financial systems, financial management, accountants, other accounting technicians, and voucher examination for the Lovell FHCC. This position is assigned unique and special nonrecurring projects. Performs preparation of accruals, adjusting journal entries, and recurring and nonrecurring monthly accounting reports as necessary. Reconciles accounting systems output with input for accuracy. Maintains control of funds obligated and funds expended. Analyzes accounting transactions to assure a proper audit trail. Reviews pending items and ensures that follow-up action is taken on all items pending for excessive periods of time. The following is a general description of what is to be accomplished: - Reviews documents for compliance with existing manuals, regulations, and station policies. - Certifies fund availability to cover all initiations, commitments, and obligations. - Prepares correspondence concerning the status of outstanding obligations. - Matches disbursing documents with obligation data; verifies accuracy and completeness of data and ensures that equipment, materials, or services have been received. - Reconciles open obligations monthly with Financial Management System reports. - Maintains and reconciles separate accounts for the North Chicago VAMC. Maintains the following programs as assigned: Suspense, General Post Fund, Patients Funds, CWT/TR, House Staff, Daily Deposits/Debit Memos, 224 Accounts, Agent Cashier Monitors, Equipment, Real Property, Federal Advances, Bulk Issue Offsets. Travel Support The employee serves as alternate Agency/Organization Program Coordinator (A/OPC) performing duties associated with the Government Charge Card Program. Responsible for performing A/OPC duties only during the absence of the principal A/OPC. The A/OPC is authorized to request that the Transportation Management Center (TMC) establish new accounts and close accounts. Agent Cashier Activities The employee serves as an alternate Agent Cashier (Class "A"), a category of disbursing officers authorized to make payments from advanced funds. Responsible for performing agent cashier duties only during the absence of the principal agent cashier. Interprets, applies, and issues instructions concerning the Department of Treasury regulations pertaining to Cash Management Programs (e.g., Disbursements and Collections; Credit Card Collection Network (Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club Activity, etc.; Over-the-Counter Channel Application (OTCnet); Cerner, Integrated Funds Distribution Control Point Activity Accounting & Procurement (IFCAP); and Collections Information Repository (CIR). Accountable for proper disbursement, receipt, and deposit of all public and private funds for the organization, in accordance with regulations of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Treasury. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Accounting Technician/PD25007A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade. Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13091450. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 10/26/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit