Financial Specialist

The Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Finance and Accounting (OF&A) is hiring a Financial Specialist within Cash Management and Accounting Operations, reporting through the Under Secretary for Finance and Administration. In this Competitive Service role, you will produce and analyze financial data, including forecasting, analysis, and troubleshooting of financial information and reporting. The position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid) and supports efforts that strengthen financial forecasting, reporting accuracy, and cash management processes.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare financial forecasts used for unit budgeting and for cash management report(s), along with other reports produced through automated financial systems.
• Analyze and interpret financial data to spot ongoing and near-term changes in program requirements; recommend corrective and responsive actions, and evaluate partners’ cost/fee structures, contracts, and revenue streams.
• Identify, track, and correct incomplete, unreliable, or conflicting data that affect assigned report or project segments, including open items related to FSS/CMM, ERP financial disbursements (IPAC, Debit Cards, BOA, and WU), pay cycles (treasury or bank and AR billing tasks), and related cash adjustments needed to balance assigned accounts.
• Troubleshoot issues and perform account examinations, including review of SI-7002 Ledger Activity PD Report and non-cash GL account 1199, 1121 Debit Card account, and other assigned areas, then resolve problem areas.

Required qualifications

• Pass a pre-employment Background Investigation.
• Maintain a bank account for direct deposit/electronic transfer.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Pass qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, within 30 days of the job announcement closing date.
• For GS-9: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level, involving financial management work such as review, analysis, reconciliation, monitoring, or resolution of financial transactions, accounts, payments, or financial data, including areas such as cash management, payment operations, accounts payable, vendor maintenance, electronic payment processing, or financial systems.
• Education options are also accepted: a master’s or equivalent graduate degree; or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D. if directly related to the work of the position. Education and experience may be combined to meet basic qualifications.
• Resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should show how experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience.

Technologies and systems

• ERP, MS Excel, and automated financial systems
• FSS/CMM, IPAC, Debit Cards, BOA, WU
• SI-7002 and general ledger

Benefits and work details

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Insurance
• Leave
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Retirement Program
• Position is included in the bargaining unit
• Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized (contingent upon availability and may require signing a service agreement)

• Location: Washington, DC
• Telework: Telework eligible; Yes, Ad Hoc telework available
• Travel required: Not required
• Appointment type: Permanent - Federal
• Work schedule: Full-time - Full-Time, Permanent
• Pay scale and grade: GS 09 (promotion potential: 11)
• Salary: USD 70,623 - 91,815 per year
• Vacancies: FEW vacancies

Evaluation and required documents

Evaluation includes the ability to accurately enter incoming revenue sources (cash, checks, and credit cards) into computerized databases and maintain up-to-date records, knowledge of cash management policies and guidelines, experience reviewing general ledger entries for accuracy and monitoring funds expenditure, and knowledge of financial management software capabilities (including ERP and MS Excel). Applications are automatically evaluated and rated by the system and a Human Resources Specialist based on occupational questionnaire responses.

• Resume
• Current and former employees must submit a copy of SF-50, “Notice of Personnel Action,” showing proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility
• Unofficial school transcripts, if using education to qualify or if transcripts are required for the education requirement
• Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable
• Proof of Veteran’s Preference (DD214, Member 4 Copy) if requesting a special appointment authority such as VRA or VEOA
• Proof of severe disability if requesting special placement consideration
• Proof of eligibility for a military spouse appointment (permanent change station order)
• Proof of eligibility for any other special appointing authority not specifically listed