Accountant Opportunity with the Department of the Navy - Washington D.C.

Are you a seasoned accounting professional seeking a meaningful career that directly impacts national security and financial integrity? The Department of the Navy is looking for a dedicated Accountant to join its esteemed team in Washington D.C. This role offers a competitive salary, robust benefits, and the chance to work within a dynamic federal agency. If you possess a strong foundation in accounting principles, federal financial management, and experience with integrated financial systems, this GS-11 position might be the perfect next step in your career. Read on to discover the responsibilities, qualifications, and application process for this exciting opportunity.

About the Agency: Department of the Navy

The Department of the Navy (DON) is one of the largest and most complex organizations in the federal government, responsible for maintaining sea and air power and for preparing for and conducting operations in the Navy and Marine Corps. Civilian employees are the backbone of the DON, providing essential expertise and support across a vast array of disciplines. The DON prides itself on offering innovative, exciting, and meaningful work, uniting military and civilian talents to achieve its mission and safeguard freedoms. Civilian careers within the Department of the Navy offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and extensive professional development and training opportunities, making it an ideal place for professionals to build a lasting career.

Job Responsibilities

As an Accountant (GS-11) within the Combined Office of the Judge Advocate General & Commander, Naval Legal Services Command for the Chief of Naval Operations, you will play a critical role in the financial management of the organization. Your primary duties will include:

• Account Management: Serving as an accountant responsible for maintaining accounting records and performing complex financial analysis within the Navy ERP system.
• Reconciliation and Validation: Applying a thorough knowledge of accounting principles and theories to manage, reconcile, and validate general ledger and subsidiary accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Transaction Analysis: Performing detailed analysis of complex accounting transactions to ensure proper recordation in Navy ERP in compliance with the U.S. Standard General Ledger (USSGL).
• Discrepancy Resolution: Investigating and resolving discrepancies, abnormal balances, and unreconciled transactions between budgetary and proprietary accounts, ensuring financial data integrity.
• Financial Reporting: Preparing, analyzing, and interpreting a variety of recurring and ad-hoc financial reports from Navy ERP for management. This includes preparing trial balances and contributing to the preparation of command and DON-level financial statements.
• Treasury Reconciliation: Conducting reconciliation of fund balances with the U.S. Treasury utilizing Advana/Jupiter reports, ensuring financial data integrity and proper funds distribution.
• Error Correction: Identifying and correcting errors related to obligations, expenditures, and reimbursements processed through Navy ERP.
• Advisory Role: Providing authoritative advice and guidance to program managers and technical staff on Navy ERP accounting policies and procedures.
• Process Support: Assisting in the execution of financial business processes, such as funds management, procure-to-pay, and order-to-cash, ensuring transactions are properly documented and recorded.
• Audit Readiness: Supporting audit readiness and internal control activities by gathering and preparing financial data and supporting documentation for internal and external auditors.
• Internal Control Testing: Participating in testing internal controls over financial reporting to identify and mitigate weaknesses.
• Procedural Improvement: Developing and recommending procedural changes to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of financial operations within Navy ERP.
• Staying Current: Keeping abreast of changes to federal accounting standards, DoD/DON financial management regulations, and Navy ERP system updates.

Requirements

To be considered for this Accountant position, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal government, military, or private sector. This experience must demonstrate a comprehensive professional knowledge of accounting principles (such as GAAP), the U.S. Standard General Ledger (USSGL), and federal financial management standards.
• System Proficiency: Immediate, hands-on proficiency using integrated financial management systems, specifically Navy ERP (SAP-based), to extract, analyze, and reconcile complex financial data across the full accounting cycle.
• Regulatory Application: Operating with a high degree of independence, candidates must apply professional judgment to interpret and execute DoD Financial Management Regulations (FMR), OMB Circulars, and Treasury Financial Manuals.
• Advanced Experience (for GS-11): Experience must include tracing transactions across both budgetary and proprietary accounting, resolving complex discrepancies, and preparing accurately reconciled financial statements to ensure audit readiness and effective stewardship of public funds.
• Communication Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills are essential for translating dense financial data into actionable guidance, presenting findings, and delivering clear policy recommendations to both financial and non-financial command leadership.

Education Requirements:

Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications:

• Degree: A degree in accounting; or a related field (e.g., business administration, finance, 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.
• 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 (including up to 6 hours of business law).
  • A certificate as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), obtained through written examination.
  • Completion of requirements for a degree with substantial coursework in accounting or auditing (e.g., 15 semester hours), provided that the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting/auditing or a related field, and a panel of at least two higher-level professionals has determined the applicant possesses equivalent knowledge.

Substitution of Education:

• Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
• Successfully completed three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
• A combination of experience and education that equates to one year of experience, where the percentage of education plus the percentage of experience equals 100%.

Salary Overview

This Accountant position is classified at the GS-11 grade level. The annual salary for this position ranges from $85,447 to $111,087. The specific salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience, as well as federal pay scales for the Washington D.C. area.

Benefits

As a federal employee with the Department of the Navy, you will be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. These benefits typically include:

• Health Insurance: A choice of federal health plans.
• Life Insurance: Federal employees' life insurance program.
• Retirement: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) benefits, including a government matching contribution to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
• Paid Time Off: Generous annual leave (vacation), sick leave, and federal holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, and career advancement.
• Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be authorized at the discretion of management.
• Incentives: Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for eligible new hires.

Application Tips

To ensure your application receives full consideration, please follow these tips:

• Resume Detail: Craft a detailed resume that clearly outlines your experience, responsibilities, and accomplishments for each position held. Ensure it directly addresses the specialized experience and skills mentioned in the job announcement.
• Page Limit: Adhere strictly to the 2-page limit for your resume. Focus on clarity, conciseness, and relevance.
• Documentation: If claiming education as a qualification, ensure your transcripts are legible and submitted with your application. The same applies to any certifications or licenses you possess.
• Veterans' Preference: If you are claiming veterans' preference, gather your DD-214 and any other required documentation well in advance.
• Email Subject Line: Use the exact email subject line format specified: "Application for Accountant, GS-0510-11 - [Your Full Name]" to ensure your application is properly identified.
• Proofread: Thoroughly proofread your resume and all supporting documents for any errors or omissions before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the salary range for this Accountant position?

The annual salary for this position ranges from $85,447 to $111,087.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is November 23, 2026.

Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?

This announcement is open to the public, generally meaning U.S. citizens are eligible. Specific eligibility requirements should be confirmed within the official announcement, but federal positions typically require U.S. citizenship.

Do I need prior federal experience to apply?

While federal experience is beneficial and can help demonstrate specialized experience at the GS-09 level, it is not strictly required. Relevant experience in the private sector or military can also qualify you.

What documentation do I need to submit?

At a minimum, a complete resume and proof of education (degree or transcript) are required. If claiming veterans' preference or other special eligibility, additional documentation will be necessary as outlined in the announcement.

Is telework an option for this position?

This position is eligible for ad-hoc telework at the discretion of management. It is not a fully remote position.

This Accountant position with the Department of the Navy represents an exceptional opportunity for a skilled professional to contribute to critical financial operations within a leading federal agency. The combination of challenging work, competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to serve in Washington D.C. makes this a highly desirable role. If you meet the qualifications and are eager to advance your career in public service, take the necessary steps to submit your application by the deadline. Your expertise is needed to support the mission and safeguard the financial integrity of our nation.