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The Financial Specialist performs and coordinates administrative, technical, and professional work related to financial and accounting activities of the Federal Circuit. This position ensures compliance with appropriate guidelines, policies, and approved internal controls while maintaining the integrity of court financial operations. The Financial Specialist prepares, updates, and analyzes accounting records and financial statements, oversees accounts payable and accounts receivable activities, assists with budget execution, conducts internal reviews, develops recommendations for procedural improvements, and supports the audit process.  This position reports directly to the Finance and Procurement Supervisor.

 

Representative duties are intended to illustrate the major duties and responsibilities that are performed by this position.  Representative duties may be adjusted, and additional duties may be added, based on the operational needs of the court.  Responsibilities of the Financial Specialist may include but will not be limited to:

 

  • Financial Transaction Processing: Process and validate accounts payable transactions, including vendor payments, purchase orders, and disbursements.  Manage accounts receivable activities such as managing credit and reimbursements from agencies and vendors.  Review and verify payment vouchers to ensure appropriateness, accuracy, and compliance with judiciary policies.  Enter financial data into judiciary systems with meticulous attention to detail. Implement appropriate internal controls for disbursement, transfer, recording, and reporting of monies.  Verify receipt of goods and services prior to authorizing payments.  Monitor and enforce compliance with financial transaction deadlines and requirements to maintain operational integrity of court financial systems. 

 

  • Travel Management: Administer travel authorizations and enforce compliance with judiciary travel policies throughout the process.  Examine and process travel vouchers and advance requests from court units.  Verify travel expenses for accuracy and allowability under government travel regulations.  Calculate appropriate reimbursement amounts for lodging, meals, transportation, and incidental expenses.  Manage the court's travel card program, including processing applications, monitoring card usage, conducting account audits, and addressing delinquencies.  Serve as liaison with travel card vendor and Administrative Office on program matters.  Provide comprehensive training to cardholders on proper card usage and documentation requirements.  Generate monthly travel card activity reports and identify unusual spending patterns.  Track and monitor status of travel advances to ensure proper reconciliation after travel completion.  Develop travel expenditure reports and analyze trends in travel spending.  Educate court staff on travel policies and procedures to facilitate proper compliance and documentation. 

 

  • Account Reconciliation and Verification: Conduct regular reconciliation of financial accounts to verify accuracy of financial records throughout the court's operations.  Investigate and resolve discrepancies in accounts and transactions promptly to maintain financial integrity.  Reconcile subsidiary ledgers with control accounts and perform monthly and quarterly reconciliations of judiciary funds.  Validate transactions against supporting documentation to ensure legitimacy and compliance.  Monitor account balances continuously and alert management of significant variances requiring attention.  Track fund balances meticulously to ensure proper resource management and fiscal responsibility.  Coordinate with financial institutions to resolve account issues and maintain accurate banking relationships. 

 

  • Financial Records Management: Develop and maintain comprehensive, accurate financial records for all court financial activities to ensure complete documentation.  Enforce proper documentation standards for all financial transactions in accordance with judiciary requirements and federal regulations.  Implement and manage records retention schedules for financial documentation to ensure compliance with archival policies.  Document financial processes and procedures thoroughly to maintain operational continuity and knowledge transfer.  Organize and secure financial records according to established policies to protect sensitive information.  Ensure availability of properly structured financial records for audit and review purposes.  Digitize and organize electronic financial records to improve accessibility while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive financial information.  Support audits by providing required access to information to auditors including access to financial records, files, policies, and procedures.  Cooperate with auditors to demonstrate full accountability, efficient use of judiciary resources, and compliance with all requirements. 

 

  • Financial Reporting: Create, update, examine, and analyze regular and specialized financial reports to support court operations and oversight.  Generate comprehensive reports for court units, Administrative Office, U.S. Treasury, and other authorized entities according to established schedules and requirements.  Design and maintain sophisticated spreadsheet formats for analyzing and presenting financial information effectively.  Produce accurate and timely financial statements and budget reports to support management decision-making.  Develop specialized reports addressing specific management inquiries and operational questions.  Prepare supporting documentation for financial audits to ensure transparency and compliance.  Compile and synthesize data for budget formulation and execution reporting.  Analyze financial trends and patterns to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and resource allocation. 

 

  • General Staff Responsibilities: Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to explain complex matters and concepts to individuals and groups with varying experience and backgrounds.  Interact effectively with the public and staff, providing quality customer service and resolving difficulties efficiently while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures.  Comply with the Guide to Judiciary Policy, applicable Administrative Office policies and procedures, internal controls guidelines, and all local policies and procedures.  Abide by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and court confidentiality requirements.  Demonstrate sound ethics and good judgment at all times.  Display a careful and deliberate approach in handling confidential information in a variety of contexts.   

Required Qualifications

Education 

At a minimum, candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

 

Specialized Experience 

  • CL 26 ($61,603 - $100,097): Candidates must possess at least two (2) years of progressively responsible specialized experience that provided knowledge of rules, regulations, and terminology in at least one but preferably two or more of the functional areas of financial administration such as accounting, financial reporting, auditing, or budgeting. One year of specialized experience may be substituted by a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field from an accredited college or university and superior academic achievement as listed below.
  • CL 27 ($67,660 - $110,012): Candidates must possess at least three (3) years of progressively responsible specialized experience that provided knowledge of rules, regulations, and terminology in at least one but preferably two or more of the functional areas of financial administration such as accounting, financial reporting, auditing, or budgeting. One year of specialized experience may be substituted by a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field from an accredited college or university and superior academic achievement as listed below.

Superior Academic Achievement

  • An overall “B” grade point average equaling 2.90 or better of a possible 4.0; AND/OR 
  • Standing in the upper third of the class; AND/OR 
  • “3.5” average or better in the major field of study, such as Computer Science or a related field that would prepare a candidate well to perform in this position; AND/OR
  • Election to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma XI, or one of the National Honorary Scholastic Societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies, other than Freshman Honor Societies. 
  • Completion of one academic year (18 semester or 27 quarter hours) of graduate study at an accredited college or university. A degree program in in computer science, information systems, or a related field is preferred.

 

Required Competencies

  • Knowledge of and experience using automated financial management systems.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in financial record-keeping, analysis, and transaction processing.
  • Ability to work independently and to set priorities across multiple assignments, as well as to work cooperatively in a team environment. 
  • Knowledge of and experience using SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office 365, and Adobe Acrobat.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, or related field.
  • Prior experience in federal judiciary or government financial operations.
  • Familiarity with federal judiciary financial systems and procedures
  • Knowledge of federal appropriations law and practices.