Summary This position is in the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP), Division of Litigation Technology & Analysis (DLTA or Division). The Division plays a central role in the investigation and litigation of consumer protection matters. The applicant serves as a Senior Forensic Accountant responsible for conducting complex financial investigations involving large sums of money and vast numbers of complex financial arrangements and transactions. Responsibilities The employee will serve as a Senior Forensic Accountant and perform the following duties: Serves as a senior forensic accountant and authority in the identification, examination, and analysis of financial data in consumer protection investigations and law enforcement actions. Plans, coordinates, and leads complex financial investigations. Reviews the nature of allegations being analyzed and identifies the data required for analysis. Utilizes various computer applications such as Comprehensive Financial Investigative Solution (CFIS) and Microsoft Excel to review and interpret implications of a vast number and variety of financial transactions. Reconstructs and interprets financial records to calculate the amount of consumer harm, identify available assets, and track the movement of funds. Provides advice on accounting and financial practices as well as forensic accounting techniques. Recommends alternative methods to address issues encountered and ensures that methods comply with all appropriate procedures and laws. Conducts ability to pay analysis for companies and individuals and provides advice to support monetary settlements. Develops new forensic accounting techniques applicable to various financial investigations. Compiles complex financial findings to prepare in-depth financial investigative reports, declarations, and exhibits. Develops and provides forensic accounting presentations and briefings. Testifies in judicial proceedings. Serves as a resource for FTC attorneys and investigators and conducts training in the fundamentals of forensic accounting and analysis. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for the Accountant / Senior Forensic Accountant you must meet the positive education requirement. Minimum Education Requirements Degree: 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 Combination of education and experience -- at least four (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. This can include up to 6 hours of business law; A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or 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 nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements. In addition to meeting the education requirement, to qualify for an Accountant/ Senior Forensic Accountant at the GS-15 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: applying a variety of accounting, auditing, and Federal financial management theories, principles, practices, methods, and techniques sufficient to act as a technical authority responsible for independently planning, coordinating, and leading complex financial investigations; conducting in-depth forensic examination or analysis of complex financial records and producing detailed financial investigative reports and presentations; working knowledge of financial models and techniques to determine a company's ability to pay a fine or other fees; researching, analyzing, and processing information related to accounting transactions to ensure completeness and accuracy of data; proficiency in the use of financial software such as Microsoft Excel and CFIS. 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. Education This position has an education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION Additional Information Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: ICTAP/CTAP Non-competitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: - Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses - Other Special Appointment Authorities