Responsibilities

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; or assists in the preparation of action memos submitted to the Commission.

Identifies accounting trends, problematic issues, and novel accounting processes being used by publicly held entities, and 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.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a US Citizen.
• Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions may result in you not being considered for this position.
• Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.
• This position has promotion potential to the SK-14.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a one-year probationary period.
• SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
• DRUG TESTING: This position may be subjected to drug testing requirements.
• PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• This position is in the collective bargaining unit.

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: 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 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 include ONE of the following:

• 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 semester hours of business law;
• A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or 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 hours requirement in 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 four-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal non-conformance to the requirement for 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement.

SK-13: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-12 level: Specialized experience includes:

(1) Conducting financial statement audit examinations or forensic accounting investigations of publicly-held companies;

(2) Analyzing financial records and recordkeeping systems by applying technical and investigative skills;

(3) Using Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) auditing standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and evaluating compliance with federal securities laws;

(4) Conducting quantitative analyses and preparing in-depth reports and supporting exhibits;

(5) Providing advice to organization management and developing technical recommendations involving investigations, or planning and directing financial investigations in collaboration with attorneys or management officials.

SK-14: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-13 level: Specialized experience includes:

(1) Applying the federal securities laws, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), public accounting and auditing standards to conduct audits, analyze statements, annual reports, financial statements and other data applicable to an entity and/or registrant;

(2) Performing detailed analysis, draw conclusions, provide advice and develop recommendations involving complex investigations; and

(3) Developing policies, procedures, and processes related to financial operations.