Advance Your Career as a Federal Accountant with the Defense Health Agency
Are you an experienced accounting professional looking to apply your skills in a high-stakes, mission-driven environment? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking a highly qualified Accountant (GS-13) to join its Financial Operations J-8 team. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the financial health of an organization that provides essential medical services to over 9.5 million service members and their families worldwide.
Job Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be responsible for a wide range of financial duties, including:
- Financial Reporting: Compiling and analyzing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP, GASB, and FASAB.
- Audit Readiness: Leading audit requests, assembling workpapers, and developing corrective action plans.
- Internal Controls: Designing and testing internal controls to prevent data loss and identify system weaknesses.
- Analysis: Performing in-depth analysis of financial system inputs and outputs to ensure data reliability.
- Leadership: Providing technical mentorship to junior staff and promoting best practices across the team.
Requirements
To be considered for this GS-13 position, candidates must demonstrate professional-level experience and academic background in accounting.
Comparison of Qualification Paths
| Requirement Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic | Bachelor's or higher with 24+ semester hours in accounting. |
| Professional | Must have 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level. |
| Certifications | Preferred: CPA or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). |
| Submission | Resume must be 2 pages or less. |
Salary Overview
This position offers a competitive salary range of $106,437 to $158,322 per year. Compensation is commensurate with locality pay and the specific qualifications of the selected candidate.
Benefits
Employees of the DHA enjoy the full spectrum of federal benefits, including:
- Comprehensive health and life insurance plans.
- Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- Accrued annual and sick leave.
- Opportunities for remote work and flexible scheduling.
Application Tips
- Be Concise: Your resume must be two pages or less. Focus on quality, not quantity.
- Use Plain Language: Avoid complex acronyms. Ensure that an HR specialist unfamiliar with your specific department can easily understand your accomplishments.
- Detail Your Work: For every role listed, include start/end dates, hours per week, and a clear description of tasks that map to the specialized experience required.
- Proofread: Double-check your application for errors, as omissions can lead to disqualification.
Serving as an Accountant with the Defense Health Agency is more than just a job; it is a commitment to the financial health of the Department of Defense. If you possess the analytical mindset and professional expertise to navigate complex federal financial environments, apply today to start your journey with the DHA.
Why This Accountant Job Matters
Elevate your career with the Defense Health Agency: Join a mission-critical financial team supporting the health and readiness of over 9.5 million service members and their families.
Accountant Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is seeking a skilled Accountant (GS-13) to join the Financial Operations J-8 division. This pivotal role involves managing complex financial reporting, ensuring audit readiness, and analyzing systemic financial data to support the agency's global healthcare mission. Successful candidates will work in a high-impact environment where financial integrity directly correlates to the quality of care provided to our nation's heroes. This position is open to the public and offers the opportunity to work across various key locations including Virginia, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, and New York.
Requirements for Accountant
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field (business/finance/public administration) with at least 24 semester hours in accounting (may include up to 6 hours of business law).
- One year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent, demonstrating mastery in reviewing financial statements and general ledger reconciliation.
- Must be able to provide transcripts if qualifying based on education.
- Submission of a resume not exceeding two pages.
- Submission of required licenses or professional certifications.
- Male applicants born after 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Preferred Qualifications for Accountant
- Active CPA or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification.
- Demonstrated experience in federal financial reporting standards (FASAB).
- Expertise in internal control design, testing, and audit preparation.
- Advanced analytical skills regarding financial systems and interface feeds.
- Proven history of mentoring junior financial staff.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Competitive federal salary with locality pay.
- ✓Comprehensive federal health insurance programs.
- ✓Generous retirement planning through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
- ✓Paid annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development and training.
- ✓Work-life balance with telework options.
💡 How to Apply Accountant Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Accountant Job
- Review the full vacancy announcement on USAJOBS.
- Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less, highlighting specialized experience.
- Gather necessary documentation, including academic transcripts and professional certifications.
- Complete the online questionnaire via the provided USA Staffing portal link.
- Submit your complete application package before the deadline on October 29, 2026.
- Monitor your application status through the USAJOBS dashboard.
💡 General Tips
- Ensure your resume explicitly details the hours worked per week for every position listed.
- Avoid using acronyms or industry jargon that may not be understood by HR reviewers.
- Verify that your uploaded documents have cleared the system virus scan before the deadline.
- Check your USAJOBS profile to confirm your contact information is current.
- Sanitize sensitive personal information from supplemental documents if required by privacy guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute my education for the required experience?
No. For this specific GS-13 position, you must possess the required specialized experience. Education cannot be substituted for the one year of required GS-12 level experience.
Is a security clearance required?
This position is currently listed as non-sensitive (NS)/low risk and does not require a security clearance.
What happens if my resume exceeds two pages?
Per the announcement instructions, resumes exceeding the two-page limit will be automatically removed from consideration.
Can I apply if I don't have a CPA?
*A: While a CPA or CIA is a highly preferred qualification, it is not strictly required if you meet the other educational and experience thresholds outlined in the announcement.*
Is telework available?
*A: Yes, this position is eligible for telework, providing flexibility to support a modern work-life balance.*
Job from Defense Health Agency
The Defense Health Agency is an integrated healthcare system responsible for the global delivery of medical, dental, and pharmacy programs for the Department of Defense. As a strategic partner to the Joint Force, the DHA ensures medical readiness anytime, anywhere. Working within the Financial Operations J-8 division means playing a vital role in the financial accountability required to keep this massive, critical system running efficiently.