Summary
The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Financial Management Officer (FMO) positions. Learn more about Foreign Service careers at https://careers.state.gov.
There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
Duties
FMOs are responsible for the management of the financial activities of our diplomatic and consular posts abroad, at our Financial Services Centers, and in Washington, D.C. Typical duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
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- Serve as Chief Financial Officer at the assigned location and act as funds control and certifying officer for USG agencies, with responsibility for the correctness and propriety of all payments.
- Provide a full range of financial services including development of budgets and financial plans, control of obligations and expenditures, preparation and audit of payment vouchers, responding to audit requests and close audit recommendations, administration of payroll plans, salary and allowance payments, cashier operations, the purchase of foreign currencies, and disbursement of funds.
- Facilitate the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) Platform by managing ICASS finances and budget for all U.S. Government agency customers, administering agreements and resolving disagreements, ensuring labor and funding resources, and performing data analysis.
- Negotiate and administer agreements with other USG agencies to provide administrative support services through Department of State facilities and personnel.
- Establish and maintain working relationships with local banking officials and fiscal authorities, and conduct negotiations concerning exchange rates and banking services.
- Cultivate local contacts with Host Government Officials to negotiate elements of Local Compensation planning and reporting.
- Serve as key advisor to senior embassy management and advise other managers in program decision-making and planning by analyzing financial aspects of various programs, reviewing performance metrics for accomplishments of strategic goals and objectives, so that managers can determine the best use of limited resources.
- Help develop and maintain the Department's financial management system, ensuring compatibility with requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and that it meets user needs for accurate, timely financial data and processing.
- Use Department of State computer systems to record, analyze, and report financial data and plans.
- Supervise, evaluate, train, and promote the personal professional development of Locally Employed Staff, U.S. Direct Hire Staff, and contractors who provide continuity to the accounting and financial work done overseas and domestically.
- Support the use of financial software tools and ensure adequate financial management staffing levels.
- Demonstrate commitment to equal employment and diversity and inclusion principles and provide guidance on human resource financial questions.
- Broaden knowledge of financial management policies/practices of other agencies, improve language competency and cultural sensitivity, and participate in shared mission activities.
- Follow all security procedures, establish and assess management controls, mitigate risk, using policy guidelines and generally accepted accounting standards, for the prevention of waste, fraud and mismanagement.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Be a U.S. citizen and accept assignments based on the needs of the FS.
- Be able to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
- Meet the minimum medical qualification standard.
- Be able to obtain a favorable Suitability Review Panel determination.
- Be at least 20 years old to apply; at least 21 years old to be appointed.
- Be appointed prior to age 60 (preference eligible veterans excepted).
Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation.
Foreign Education
Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.
- The accredited interpretation must include the summary of and the foreign education transcripts.
- Foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service will not be accepted and the candidacy will be terminated.
OPM: www.opm.gov
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Please refer to the Required Documents Section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience:
In addition to the education requirements, applicants must possess a minimum of:
- Three years out of the last 10 years of specialized experience for consideration at FP-04 level; or
- Four years out of the last 10 years of specialized experience for consideration at FP-03 level.
Specialized experience demonstrates that the candidate has acquired, and is able to apply, a combination of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to the FMO position. Specialized experience must have been acquired in the past 10 years and must have been of a progressively responsible nature in (a) medium or large organization(s) with a multimillion-dollar budget(s). Specialized experience must include more than one area listed below:
- budget preparation and execution
- accounting and reporting
- accounts payable
- payroll
- accounts receivable
- cash management
- disbursing
- tax reporting
- audit and internal controls
- Experience in financial management involving the preparation, justification, or management of an organization's budget, or participation in budget hearings on appropriations for a USG agency.
- Experience as a financial management officer in a government agency or in a business or industrial concern with responsibilities for program planning, organization, methods, and procedures.
- Experience in government or private sector accounting including interpretation and use of financial data for informed decision-making and the efficient and optimal use of resources.
- Teaching comprehensive budget, fiscal, or accounting courses in an accredited educational institution above the high school level.
- Experience in the development and/or implementation of internal controls and compliance with laws and regulations related to financial management. This includes experience in the audit and financial management review of procedures and requirements.
- Experience in banking, currency purchasing, or treasury operations.
- Experience in payroll plan development and/or administration.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Finance: Knowledge of the fundamentals of economics, statistics, accounting, banking, and financial markets through requisite academic background in order to serve as principal financial adviser to senior management.
Budgeting Requirements: Knowledge acquired through training and experience, to formulate, present, justify, and execute budgets involving millions of dollars.
Financial Procedures: Knowledge of financial procedures, applicable laws, regulations, and other guidance in order to prepare accurate and timely financial plans to inform post management decisions, and to meet external reporting requirements.
GAAP and GAAS: Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and interpretation and use of financial data for decision-making, ensuring all claims and payments are properly documented and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
Accounting: Knowledge of the principles and application of cost accounting by preparing a variety of complex reports and analyses that aid management in setting priorities and allocating scarce resources to best meets objectives.
Banking: Knowledge of banking, currency purchases, foreign exchange rates, as well as disbursement including cashiering in order to use an organization's financial systems to meet payment and collection obligations using the most effective means available.
Fraud Detection: Knowledge of fraud detection, both in cash operations and financial systems.
Management Principles: Knowledge of management principles as demonstrated by delegating responsibilities, providing guidance, leading by example, supervising subordinates, counseling employees, resolving conflicts, effecting disciplinary measures.
EEO and DEIA principles and guidelines: Knowledge of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles, in order to effectively supervise staff.
Management Controls: Knowledge and understanding of a strong system of management controls by using policy guidelines and generally accepted standards through checks and balances and constant monitoring of management controls to correct deficiencies and to maintain fiscal integrity and ensure resources are safeguarded against fraud, waste, and mismanagement.
Pay and Benefits: Knowledge of payroll and benefit programs in an organizational setting including maintaining accounting, time and attendance, and payroll databases.
Auditing: Analyzing financial data, fraud detection, and applying accounting concepts, including auditing and program evaluation concepts in order to promote sound business practices and process improvements.
Financial Management: Management of financial resources by determining how funds will be spent in order to maximize benefits from limited resources and accounting for these expenditures in a way that is consistent with applicable rules and regulations.
Communication: Communication in both individual and group contexts through budget proposal documentation and other methods of communication on technical financial rules and issues such as budget allocations, financial obligations, pay, and allowances, etc., with all levels of employees in a clear and concise manner and is easily understood by persons without a financial background.
Teamwork: Developing and working in teams and encouraging teamwork on a daily basis in order to reduce conflict and enhance cooperation.
Customer Service: Customer service with U.S. and foreign national staff through interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivities including providing information, balancing clients' interests, readjusting priorities and resolving complaints.
Conflict Resolution: Understanding the principles and techniques of persuasion and conflict resolution.
Analyzing Financial Data: Acquiring and analyzing financial data, discerning relationships and trends, making projections, understanding host country and U.S. financial rules and regulations, and communicating results.
Technology: Using financial software, common office programs, including presentation applications, and technology.
Personnel Management: Human resource planning and workforce planning.
Ability to Say No: Adroit at turning down requests and offering acceptable alternatives when possible.
Superior communication skills: Applicants must must consistently meet a high standard for English, both grammar (overall structure, spelling, and punctuation) and syntax (overall structure, clarity, and succinctness).
Working in Diverse Environments: Ability to work with others of diverse backgrounds and to manage laterally and upward in varying work environments while traveling and living in varying climates and conditions.
Physical Requirements: As USG certifying officers, with responsibility and personal liability for the correctness and propriety of all payments, FMOs must be able to personally verify the authenticity of documents relied upon for payment authorizations, which may involve visual inspections (e.g., handwritten receipts, stamped invoices, etc.).
Education
At the time of application, candidates must possess at least a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) in accounting or finance earned at the undergraduate or graduate level from an accredited school.
Substituting Education for Specialized Experience
Candidates may substitute graduate educational achievement earned at an accredited school (18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours is equivalent to one year) for specialized experience as follows:
- For one year of specialized experience: One full academic year of graduate education in business or public administration, with a concentration in accounting or finance.
- For two years of specialized experience: Completion of all requirements for a master's or equivalent degree, or two full academic years of graduate education in business or public administration, with a concentration in accounting or finance.
- For three years of specialized experience: Completion of all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent), or three full academic years of graduate education in business or public administration, with a concentration in accounting or finance.
Foreign Education
Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) in order to be given credit towards qualification.
- The accredited interpretation must include the summary of and the foreign education transcripts.
- Foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service will not be accepted and the candidacy will be terminated.
OPM: www.opm.gov
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Professional Certifications:
Professional certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), or graduate degrees from an accredited school in business, government, or public administration are preferred with concentrations in accounting or finance.
Additional information
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-Verify) - Verification of employment eligibility in the United States is required.
U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the U.S. - either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This agency utilizes E-Verify to compare information from the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) records to confirm employment eligibility. If the employee's information does not match DHS and/or SSA records, the employee is given an opportunity to resolve the problem. If eligibility cannot be verified, employment will be terminated.
The U.S. Department of State Suitability Review Panel and standards are defined in Chapter 3 of the Foreign Affairs Manual. For more information please visit: https://fam.state.gov/
For more information about Veteran's Preference and how it is applied in the selection process, please visit: https://careers.state.gov/faq-items/are-veterans-given-hiring-preference/ .
No candidate will be considered who has previously been separated from the Foreign Service under sections §607, §608, §610 or §611 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu of separation under these provisions. In addition, no candidate will be considered who has previously been separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section §306 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended, or who resigned or retired in lieu thereof.
A Foreign Service Specialist separated for failure to receive a career appointment under section 306 may not re-apply to be a Foreign Service Specialist in the same skill code but may apply for another skill code or to be a Foreign Service Generalist.
Executive Branch agencies are barred by 5 US Code 3303 as amended from accepting or considering prohibited political recommendations and are required to return any prohibited political recommendations to sender. In addition, as mandated by 5 US Code 3110, relatives of federal employees cannot be granted preference in competing for these employment opportunities.
It is the policy of the Federal Government to treat all employees with dignity and respect and to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination whether discrimination is based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, membership in an employee organization, age, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors.
The U.S. Department of State provides reasonable accommodation to candidates with disabilities. Procedures vary by test type, and all candidates must request reasonable accommodations in advance. For more information visit Requesting Reasonable Accommodations - Careers (state.gov). Decisions for granting reasonable accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.
Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing overseas, tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K-12 overseas, and an unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.
The salary range listed is extracted from the Foreign Service Overseas and Washington pay scales. The starting step is determined in part by the highest education level achieved and specialized experience beyond minimum qualifications. Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on their highest previous rate as a federal employee. For information on salary, please visit https://careers.state.gov/benefits/benefits/.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Candidates will be evaluated on their total background including experience, education, awards, training, and self-development as it relates to the position. Selection for this position will be made only from among candidates possessing the best qualifications. Part-time work experience will be prorated.
Candidates with finance-related higher education and specific experience in financial management or accounting are preferred. The quality and depth of a candidate's education and specialized experience should demonstrate the candidate's aptitude and potential to master the complex skills required of FMOs.
The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response. Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual's candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy.
While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses. The Department will discontinue any individual's candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.
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