Student Trainee (Intern) Accounting

This position is part of DFAS's Pathways Student Trainee Program, which is designed for current students and individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, on a full or half-time basis. As a paid intern, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue a successful career with DFAS and explore numerous possibilities for growth, learning, and valuable work experience.

Duties

• Serve as an Intern in the DFAS Internship Program performing a variety of assignments involving the practical application of financial principles, procedures, processes, and regulations.
• Receive, review, and verify the validity and completeness of the appropriation, accounting, or financial data, including disbursements and collections.
• Enter data into financial systems and correct invalid or incorrect entries.
• Verify, balance, and reconcile detailed supporting documentation with listings, automated records, and/or reports.
• Assist in the preparation of recurring and special reports.

Requirements - Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This national security position may require access to classified information, requiring a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959).
• Suitable for Federal employment.
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time student.
• Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Must maintain student eligibility for the duration of the internship.

Qualifications - Requirements:

• Enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time student into an accredited college or university in a qualifying degree-seeking program, or enrolled in a qualifying certificate program.
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout the internship to remain in the Program.
• Applicants MUST submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with the online application.
• Please Note: If you are graduating from your current academic program prior to September 2024, you will not be eligible for this student appointment unless accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution seeking an additional qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, etc., OR an advanced degree. You MUST submit proof of acceptance along with your current transcripts for consideration.
• If selected, must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement; be able to furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and provide verification of academic status (official transcript) at the end of each academic term.

Preferred Degree Categories:

• Accounting
• Business Administration with Accounting Concentration
• Masters of Business Administration with Accounting Concentration
• Masters of Accountancy

NOTE: The degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however, to be eligible, candidates must meet the agency-developed or OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern MAY be converted.

In addition, conversion to an Accountant is contingent on meeting the basic education requirement. There are two ways to meet this basic requirement:

1. Completion or expected completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; 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 semester hours of credit in business law.
2. A combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting courses, which may include up to 6 semester hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant.

In addition to meeting the above requirement, applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Two years of successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation, or the equivalent, is a prerequisite may be substituted to meet the general experience required. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.
2. One year of generalized experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is required. General experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY: Upon successful completion of their academic program and the internship program, interns may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service consistent with agency needs, academic achievement, and demonstrated potential. Conversion potential for this opportunity is up to the GS-9 full performance level. However, future budgetary events, hiring restrictions, conversion caps, or other events may preclude the conversion or conversion to a position with the full potential performance level. Individuals converted to a position in the competitive service may be subjected to participation in an agency formal development program.