Accountant (IS-0510-12)

Company: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biolog
Location: Washington
Posted on: March 4, 2025

Job Description:

Accountant (IS-0510-12)Application Deadline: 7 March 2025Department: Office of Finance & AccountingEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Washington, DCReporting To: Accounting SupervisoryCompensation: $101,401 - $131,826 / yearDescriptionOPEN DATE: February 24, 2025CLOSING DATE: March 7, 2025POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: IndefiniteSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DCPosition sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low RiskOVERVIEWThis position is located organizationally in General Accounting and Reporting (GAR), Office of Finance and Accounting (OF&A), Under Secretary for Administration, Smithsonian Institution (SI). SI is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. OF&A is responsible for the management and integrity of SI's financial assets, operations, reporting, records, policies and procedures, and central accounting and financial services. The GAR team is primarily responsible for accounting activities among SI central offices and advises on accounting matters, analyzes and resolves complex problems, prepares specialized accounting data, records, reports and procedures, operates and inspects accounting systems, supports internal and external audit processes, and develops and trains individuals in areas of expertise.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAccount Analysis & Reconciliation

• Prepares, analyzes, interprets and presents accounting data and resolves daily accounting problems.
• Analyzes ad-hoc financial transactions and statements for propriety and budgetary accounts and determines potential impact on funding sources or the financial position of a specific unit.
• Prepares fund balance reconciliations that agree with U.S. Treasury, identifying causes for differences and implementing corrective action.
• Monitors interagency agreements (IAA) activity in the grants module and the general ledger and prepares reports for units.
• Prepares journal entries to reflect transactions related to endowments, fixed assets, investments, federal budgetary and proprietary, debt, cash and business activities.
• Prepares and maintains assigned general ledger account reconciliations for cash, inventory, accounts receivable, fixed assets, prepaid and deferred expenses, deferred revenue and accrued liabilities.
• Executes and monitors corrective actions for reconciling differences.
• Completes reconciliations of accounting and sub-ledger activity and executes corrective actions for reconciling differences.Financial Reporting
  • Prepares assigned portions of financial statements.
  • Prepares assigned footnotes for annual reporting which tie to financial statements.
  • Prepares and validates financial reports for net asset reports, various US federal reports and contributions and inter-unit transactions.
  • Generates reports from the subledger to validate balances reflected in the general ledger.
  • Prepares, updates, and monitors trust fund advance reports.
  • Participates in monthly and year-end closing processes.Management Advisory Services
    • Applies accounting standards to specialized, mission-related programs and recommends solutions to management problems.
    • As a team member, advises management on financial and managerial accounting methods and procedures for purchases, receivables, returns, transfer of merchandise, sales, refunds, income and expense deferrals, grants, contributions, allotments, capital expenditures and obligations and budgetary and proprietary liabilities.
    • As a team member, attends external meetings with units to increase awareness of their operations to maintain positive working relationships.
    • Attends internal meetings to provide input on potential accounting risks or variances.
    • Research issues offering practical solutions and reports findings to more senior accountants and the supervisor.Development and Training
      • Provides professional accounting advice, support, development and training to lower graded staff regarding programs, systems, functions and structures of the office and application of accounting methods and procedures to daily work activities.
      • Provides support and training to SI personnel to promote understanding and effective application of accounting and related financial management policies, procedures and systems.
      • Pursues and completes opportunities to grow and learn for self-development purposes, in areas of interest and need.Performs other duties as assigned.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
        • Professional, comprehensive knowledge of federal-specific accounting theories, practices, methods and techniques and of SI programs and functions sufficient to analyze accounting systems.
        • Knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
        • Knowledge of U.S. federal financial regulations, procedures and budget processes.
        • Knowledge of automated accounting and financial systems.
        • Ability to apply fund accounting methods to non-appropriated funds.
        • Ability to communicate verbally to advise management on complex financial and managerial accounting methods and procedures.
        • Ability to communicate in writing to prepare comprehensive reports that present financial or research findings.Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.Relocation expenses are not paid.The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OHRTrustBranch@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's .The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: .
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Keywords: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biolog, Washington DC , Accountant (IS-0510-12), Accounting, Auditing , Washington, DC