LEAD ACCOUNTANT

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below: (1) 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 hours of credit in business law.OR (2) Candidates may also qualify through 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/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor. You MUST send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess "one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade" (GS-11 for GS-12 level) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. For GS-12 - Specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level is defined as: Providing professional accounting support that ensures the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the accounting operations by providing professional accounting services, advice, assistance, and information to an assigned area by applying accounting concepts, principles, and methods to the day-to-day accounting operations. GS-12 Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in Federal Service. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. ???????This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at http://www.dfas.mil/dam/dfas/careers/pdf/DoDFMCertificationProgram.pdf. This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Position Details

• Job Title: LEAD ACCOUNTANT
• Company / Organisation: Defense Finance and Accounting Service
• Location: Whitehall, Ohio
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Field / Industry: Finance & Accounting
• Work Arrangement: On-site or hybrid - Whitehall, Ohio

About This Opportunity

This full-time opportunity at Defense Finance and Accounting Service is an excellent opening for experienced professionals in the field of finance and accounting. The role is structured around an on-site or hybrid environment based in Whitehall, Ohio and is designed for candidates who are ready to make a meaningful contribution from the moment they join.

Based in Whitehall, Ohio, this role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with a local team in a structured professional environment. Candidates currently based in the area or open to relocation are strongly encouraged to apply.

Whether you are an established practitioner in finance and accounting or a highly skilled professional looking for your next challenge, this LEAD ACCOUNTANT role offers the platform to apply your expertise in a real-world, results-oriented environment. Defense Finance and Accounting Service is looking for a candidate who can hit the ground running and add genuine value to the team.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for candidates who have a solid background in finance and accounting and a demonstrable track record of delivering high-quality results. You should possess numerical accuracy, regulatory awareness, strong organisational skills, and sound financial judgement. Experience working with accounting software, financial modelling tools, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems will be an advantage, though a commitment to continuous learning and professional development is equally valued.

Beyond technical or domain expertise, Defense Finance and Accounting Service is looking for someone who communicates clearly, collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and takes ownership of their work from start to finish. If you thrive in a professional environment and are passionate about the opportunity to ensure financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and sustainable business growth, we encourage you to apply.

Key Competencies for This Role

Successful candidates for the LEAD ACCOUNTANT position at Defense Finance and Accounting Service will typically demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Domain expertise - a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience in finance and accounting
• Problem-solving ability - the capacity to identify challenges, think critically, and implement practical solutions efficiently
• Communication skills - clear and professional communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners at all levels
• Self-management - strong time management and the ability to prioritise a varied workload while meeting deadlines
• Team collaboration - a collaborative and supportive approach to working alongside colleagues across departments or locations
• Adaptability - the ability to respond positively to change and thrive in a dynamic, evolving work environment

How to Apply

To apply for this LEAD ACCOUNTANT position at Defense Finance and Accounting Service, click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be taken directly to the official application page where you can complete and submit your application.

Before applying, please ensure that your CV or résumé is fully up to date and clearly highlights your experience and accomplishments in finance and accounting. If a cover letter is included or requested, tailor it specifically to this role and explain how your background, skills, and goals align with what Defense Finance and Accounting Service is looking for in a LEAD ACCOUNTANT.

All applications for this role are processed directly by Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Career Nest facilitates the job discovery process and does not pre-screen or forward applications on behalf of employers. There are no fees for job seekers at any stage of the application process.

About Career Nest

Career Nest is a global job aggregation platform connecting professionals with thousands of opportunities across every major industry - from technology and marketing to finance, design, data science, healthcare, NGO, engineering, and beyond. Our platform aggregates live job listings from verified employers, leading job boards, and trusted staffing platforms worldwide.

We publish thousands of new roles every day from sources across 190+ countries. Whether you are looking for a fully remote role, a hybrid position, or an on-site opportunity in a specific city, Career Nest makes it easy to search, filter, save, and apply to the roles that match your experience and ambitions - all in one place, completely free for job seekers.

Every listing on Career Nest is reviewed for accuracy and relevance before being published. We are committed to providing job seekers with the most up-to-date, trustworthy job listings available. Explore thousands more opportunities across all categories at careernest.cloud.