The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is actively committed to recruiting veterans and individuals with disabilities. We value their understanding of leadership, teamwork, and integrity and their array of experience, skills, and abilities, proven in real-world situations. The SEC is accepting applications for a Staff Accountant from those eligible for consideration under the following hiring authorities: Veterans (30% Disabled and VRA) Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A)

For more details on elgibility, requirements, and evaluation. Please click “Apply Now”, which will take you to the US Gov job platform.

Job Grade: 11
Total Openings: Many

Duties:

Typical duties of a Staff Accountant at the SEC may include any of the following: Conducts examinations of securities-related financial institutions registered with the SEC such as investment companies, investment advisers, broker-dealers, transfer agents, and municipal advisors. Evaluates possible risks to investors and the financial markets of registered securities-related financial institutions’ business models and practices based on review and analysis, through modern quantitative techniques when possible, of information reported by the institutions to the SEC and other internal and external data sources. Executes risk-based examination plans, which frequently involves: (i) analyzing a financial institution’s operations and procedures, sales practices, supervisory systems, books and records, and financial statements, (ii) reviewing investigatory complaints, (iii) investigating new financial products, (iv) examining specialized securities, (v) interviewing principals of registrants, and/or (vi) analyzing performance calculations to assess the level of compliance with federal securities laws and/or self-regulatory requirements. Provides forensic accounting expertise relating to complex and difficult accounting investigations, including the development and preparation of forensic accounting analysis and reports. Applies sophisticated accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to identify, analyze, and summarize evidence of financial fraud or other accounting related violations of the federal securities laws. Prepares detailed financial accounting findings and conclusions utilized in SEC administrative proceedings and/or federal court actions,and translates findings into terminology and formats which can be understood by both legal and lay personnel. Works with legal staff by reviewing subpoenas; identifies potential witnesses and takes testimony; analyzes documentary and/or testimonial evidence to determine potential for Commission action. Identifies accounting trends, problematic issues, and novel accounting processes being used by publicly held entities. Responds to inquiries on complex accounting and auditing matters from Commission staff, securities industry staff, other federal agencies, and the courts relating to Enforcement cases and proceedings. Analyzes bank, brokerage, and/or trade blotter records to trace transactions through one or more accounts in order to provide summary cash flow reports detailing the sources and uses of cash and/or transaction reports detailing the profitability of brokerage account trading. Reviews disclosures made in registration statements filed in connection with initial public offerings and other securities offerings as well as annual, quarterly, and other reports. Identifies, analyzes, and resolves complex accounting and reporting issues facing public companies in and across a variety of industries. Researches and provides interpretation of accounting regulations, statutes, executive orders, and agency directives. Reviews firm documents to gain an understanding of the processes, functions, or businesses being inspected. An emphasis is placed on understanding and evaluating the risks of each process, function, or business being inspected and the controls implemented to mitigate those risks. Interviews relevant firm personnel (e.g., control, business, Internal Audit, etc.) to discuss: documents received by the firm; firm specific processes, risks, and controls; potential challenges in conducting the inspection; identification of key personnel; current issues and concerns; and future plans.

Qualifications:

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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, 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. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Degree: in 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 B. 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: 1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law; 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or 3. 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 non-conformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant’s education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements. Who May Apply: Schedule A Hiring Authority: Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u), is a special hiring authority for people with disabilities. It is intended for the appointment of persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. Schedule A is an exception to the traditional hiring process. Eligibility for the Schedule A Hiring Authority does not guarantee job placement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Persons with disabilities are hired under excepted service appointments to positions that are otherwise in the competitive service. Individuals hired under Schedule A are subject to a trial period (i.e., probationary period) that can last up to two years, based on veteran status. During probation, employees hired under Schedule A are held to the same performance standards as all other employees. After two years of satisfactory service, such employees may be noncompetitively converted to the competitive service. For more information, please visit us at SEC.gov | SEC Disability Programs Overview 30% or More Disabled Veteran: This hiring authority enables a hiring official to appoint an eligible 30 percent or more disabled veteran to any position for which the veteran is qualified; there is no grade level limitation. Initial competitive service appointments are time-limited (e.g., temporary or term appointment), but must last more than 60 days; however, a veteran can acquire permanent status at any time during the time-limited appointment. Individuals placed under this hiring authority are subject to a one-year probationary period. Eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans who separated under honorable conditions: Disabled veterans who were retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more; and Disabled veterans rated by the VA as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more. For more information, please visit us at SEC.gov | SEC Veterans Program. Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) Authority: VRA allows agencies to make appointments of eligible and qualified veterans up to the SK-11 (equivalent to the GS-11); promotion potential of the position is not a factor. Veterans are hired under excepted service appointments to positions that are otherwise in the competitive service. Individuals placed under this hiring authority are subject to a trial period (i.e., probationary period) that can last up to two years, based on veteran status. During probation, employees hired under VRA are held to the same performance standards as all other employees. After two years of satisfactory service, veterans are noncompetitively converted to the competitive service. VRA eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans who separated under honorable conditions: Disabled veterans; Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized; Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a military operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was awarded, to include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and Veterans separated from active duty within the past three years.

Job Requirements: