Chief Accountant
Apply NowCompany: United States Senate
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Chief Accountant
Organization
Secretary of the Senate
DepartmentSenate Disbursing Office
SALARY RANGE:
SEC-12: $112722-$174723
FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE:
Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at1-800-877-8339 TTY
TELEWORK:
This position is eligible for a partial remote work schedule after an initialintroductory onsite period.
FLSA STATUS:
Exempt
DEADLINE FORAPPLICATIONS:
3/25/2025 at 7:00pm EST
JOB DESCRIPTION:
NATURE OF WORK
This isprofessional, accounting management work overseeing the professional andadministrative work of accounting and fiscal services to support Senatefunding. Work includes planning, scheduling, coordinating, implementing, andevaluating effectiveness of the accounting and budget operations for the SenateDisbursing Office. Work is bound by Title 2 and Title 5 of the U.S. Code;Office of Personnel Management (OPM) interpretation and guidelines; Secretaryof the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S.Senate Handbook; the Senate EthicsManual; and Senate Disbursing Office procedures, practices, and guidelines,but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments.
ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS
Direct and controlall of the accounting, fiscal operations, and functions of the centralaccounting system of the Senate; provide financial reporting; coordinate theannual audit; ensure that reconciliations are performed; ensure that Senatefinancial reports are accurate, timely, and in accordance with the accountingand control standards of the Senate.
Develop, maintain,and document accounting, budget, and financial management policies for theSenate Disbursing Office; ensure policies are consistent with organizationalmission and comply with legal and regulatory requirements; establish internalprogram policies and procedures, develop instructions, provide guidance andadvice, and evaluate program operations.
Provide guidance,advice, and assistance to accounting and budgeting staff, Senate staff, andmanagers; work with Disbursing administrative managers to prepare financial directivesand procedures; serve as an office liaison to outside government officials todiscuss financial policy of the Senate and interagency agreements.
Ensure financialtransactions of the Senate's offices are properly accounted for and monitored;ensure the various organizational functions are appropriately organized tomaintain internal checks and minimize opportunities for unauthorized,fraudulent, or otherwise irregular acts; coordinate development, design,maintenance, and revision of automated accounting systems and user interfaceswith internal and external contacts, as needed.
Plan,organize, direct, assign, and evaluate the work of the accounting and budget staff; provide input on hiring, evaluatingperformance, rewarding staff, and providing feedback; set objectives, priorities, and timelines; assign andreview work; provide guidance on policies and ensure compliance withinstructions; and approve leave and timesheets.
Respond toinquiries from Senate offices regarding budget justification issues; advise andassist other offices regarding financial policy and use of the automatedaccounting systems and the DO's financial management systems; assist intraining for Disbursing financial management systems; maintain liaison with theOffice of the Secretary of the Senate and other Senate staff to provideinformation and assistance with technical issues relative to the variousaccounting documents and budget procedures.
Maintain currentknowledge of the Senate Disbursing Office's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) andContinuity of Operations (COOP) plan; participate in periodic exercises anddrills.
As part of the Secretary's customer service initiative(known as R.A.T.E.), provide all customers with the highest level of customerservice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier.
Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (master's degree preferred) with six to eight years of advanced accounting experience and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of the United States Standard General Ledger (USSGL), as well as accounting theories, practices, methods, and techniques.
Basic knowledge of the Legislative Branch is preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the legislative process, as well as the history and operation of the Senate.
Knowledge of the Senate Disbursing Office's financial management systems, functions, policies, and practices is preferred.
Demonstrated excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills to assess situations, troubleshoot, and make recommendations for solutions from both strategic and tactical perspectives.
Knowledge of accounting systems and related appropriation programs.
Knowledge of budget execution, fund control, and requirements of various finance agencies that issue guidance for administering government funds.
Ability to work and pay attention to detail under pressure and tight deadlines.
Ability to work outside of regular scheduled work hours, with flexibility to complete projects that require additional time beyond the standard workday.
Excellent organizational and time management skills for handling multiple responsibilities at once.
Ability to recognize and solve conflicts in financial accounting, reporting, and regulations.
Knowledge of governmental fiscal procedures, the Federal and legislative budget processes, and budget object classifications preferred.
Ability to analyze system performance, operation, effectiveness, and capability and make sound recommendations to management.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and provide support to senior staff, information systems professionals, and other users.
Ability to develop and implement operational guidelines and procedures.
Ability to work collaboratively, foster positive working relationships, and interact with users using tact and diplomacy.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) preferred.
Organization
Secretary of the Senate
DepartmentSenate Disbursing Office
SALARY RANGE:
SEC-12: $112722-$174723
FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE:
Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at1-800-877-8339 TTY
TELEWORK:
This position is eligible for a partial remote work schedule after an initialintroductory onsite period.
FLSA STATUS:
Exempt
DEADLINE FORAPPLICATIONS:
3/25/2025 at 7:00pm EST
JOB DESCRIPTION:
NATURE OF WORK
This isprofessional, accounting management work overseeing the professional andadministrative work of accounting and fiscal services to support Senatefunding. Work includes planning, scheduling, coordinating, implementing, andevaluating effectiveness of the accounting and budget operations for the SenateDisbursing Office. Work is bound by Title 2 and Title 5 of the U.S. Code;Office of Personnel Management (OPM) interpretation and guidelines; Secretaryof the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S.Senate Handbook; the Senate EthicsManual; and Senate Disbursing Office procedures, practices, and guidelines,but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments.
ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS
Direct and controlall of the accounting, fiscal operations, and functions of the centralaccounting system of the Senate; provide financial reporting; coordinate theannual audit; ensure that reconciliations are performed; ensure that Senatefinancial reports are accurate, timely, and in accordance with the accountingand control standards of the Senate.
Develop, maintain,and document accounting, budget, and financial management policies for theSenate Disbursing Office; ensure policies are consistent with organizationalmission and comply with legal and regulatory requirements; establish internalprogram policies and procedures, develop instructions, provide guidance andadvice, and evaluate program operations.
Provide guidance,advice, and assistance to accounting and budgeting staff, Senate staff, andmanagers; work with Disbursing administrative managers to prepare financial directivesand procedures; serve as an office liaison to outside government officials todiscuss financial policy of the Senate and interagency agreements.
Ensure financialtransactions of the Senate's offices are properly accounted for and monitored;ensure the various organizational functions are appropriately organized tomaintain internal checks and minimize opportunities for unauthorized,fraudulent, or otherwise irregular acts; coordinate development, design,maintenance, and revision of automated accounting systems and user interfaceswith internal and external contacts, as needed.
Plan,organize, direct, assign, and evaluate the work of the accounting and budget staff; provide input on hiring, evaluatingperformance, rewarding staff, and providing feedback; set objectives, priorities, and timelines; assign andreview work; provide guidance on policies and ensure compliance withinstructions; and approve leave and timesheets.
Respond toinquiries from Senate offices regarding budget justification issues; advise andassist other offices regarding financial policy and use of the automatedaccounting systems and the DO's financial management systems; assist intraining for Disbursing financial management systems; maintain liaison with theOffice of the Secretary of the Senate and other Senate staff to provideinformation and assistance with technical issues relative to the variousaccounting documents and budget procedures.
Maintain currentknowledge of the Senate Disbursing Office's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) andContinuity of Operations (COOP) plan; participate in periodic exercises anddrills.
As part of the Secretary's customer service initiative(known as R.A.T.E.), provide all customers with the highest level of customerservice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds, as well as regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier.
Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary of the Senate.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (master's degree preferred) with six to eight years of advanced accounting experience and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of the United States Standard General Ledger (USSGL), as well as accounting theories, practices, methods, and techniques.
Basic knowledge of the Legislative Branch is preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the legislative process, as well as the history and operation of the Senate.
Knowledge of the Senate Disbursing Office's financial management systems, functions, policies, and practices is preferred.
Demonstrated excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills to assess situations, troubleshoot, and make recommendations for solutions from both strategic and tactical perspectives.
Knowledge of accounting systems and related appropriation programs.
Knowledge of budget execution, fund control, and requirements of various finance agencies that issue guidance for administering government funds.
Ability to work and pay attention to detail under pressure and tight deadlines.
Ability to work outside of regular scheduled work hours, with flexibility to complete projects that require additional time beyond the standard workday.
Excellent organizational and time management skills for handling multiple responsibilities at once.
Ability to recognize and solve conflicts in financial accounting, reporting, and regulations.
Knowledge of governmental fiscal procedures, the Federal and legislative budget processes, and budget object classifications preferred.
Ability to analyze system performance, operation, effectiveness, and capability and make sound recommendations to management.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and provide support to senior staff, information systems professionals, and other users.
Ability to develop and implement operational guidelines and procedures.
Ability to work collaboratively, foster positive working relationships, and interact with users using tact and diplomacy.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) preferred.