Internal Controls Analyst (IS-0501-14)

Internal Controls Analyst (IS-0501-14)

Application Deadline: 10 May 2024

Department: Office of Finance & Accounting

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Risk Manager

Compensation: $139,395 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: April 25, 2024

CLOSING DATE: May 10, 2024 (This job will close once 75 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Moderate Risk

Open to all Qualified Applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.

• Complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

This position is located organizationally in the Office of Finance and Accounting (OF&A), Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer, Smithsonian Institution (SI). SI is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge and OF&A is responsible for the management and integrity of SI's:

• financial assets
• financial operations
• financial reporting
• financial records
• financial policies and procedures
• central accounting and financial services

This OF&A position is the Smithsonian's most senior internal controls expert and practitioner.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal Controls

• Serve as a technical expert in financial and management internal controls, development, design and evaluation. Provides technical advice and expert analysis on various internal control matters by serving as the primary liaison from OF&A on the Internal Review Group, the Risk Champion Council and other working groups.
• Reviews, designs, modifies and publishes SI directives and policies regarding internal controls. Collaborates with members of the OF&A team and other stakeholders to review current SI policies, identify internal controls requirements and develop quantitative and qualitative test procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of those controls. Establishes and manages a risk-based internal control program. Provides oversight and technical guidance and support to managers and unit staff as they conduct risk assessments. Plans and scopes internal control assessments (reviews of controls over financial reporting and financial systems).
• Participates in the evaluation of proposed internal controls in the design of any new financial management systems.
• Leads the implementation of the annual process to affirm adherence to internal controls policies by units across SI through the collection of Assurance Statements and associated evidentiary documentation.
• Establish a tracking system for internal control issues and their remediation status.
• Develops and conveys SI-wide policies, procedures and guidelines needed to maintain an effective, risk-based internal control program.

Audit Findings Resolution

• Follows up on recommendations from audit reports in which internal control processes and procedures do not meet policy, regulatory or legal standards. Creates and strengthens mitigation against potential fraud, waste and abuse. Reviews risk assessments and determines the sufficiency of planned internal control reviews in support of annual assurance statements. Evaluates support for completed assurance statements as they become due.
• Provide OF&A management with requested information and explanations of technical reasons for action or policy. Communicates with other technical specialists in designated fields to obtain information. Provides technical advice including alternative strategies and communicates recommendations and improvements resulting from ongoing and completed special projects.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Mastery, professional knowledge of financial management procedures, financial statement preparation and general accounting practices. Experience in researching and interpreting financial data, standards and guidelines. Mastery of internal controls processes, methods, strategies and governance. Ability to develop, evaluate and implement financial internal controls. Ability to organize, plan and evaluate accounting and financial management operations and determine the impact on financial systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the requirements and implementation of: the Financial Managers Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (FMFIA); OMB Circular A-123, Management's Responsibility for Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control; the Chief Financial Officer's (CFO) Act, the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), GAO Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government; and OMB Circular A-50, Audit Follow-up.
• Skill in qualitative and quantitative methods utilized in gathering, analyzing and preparing concise analytical summaries of financial data, performance and results for operating programs. Ability to use automated tools to review, analyze and interpret financial data.
• Extensive skill in oral and written communications, including the ability to conduct effective briefings and prepare professional memoranda, graphical presentations and materials for use in financial reports.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and InclusionThe Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact OF&A-Recruit@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.