Foreign Service Financial Management Officer (FS 2101)

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.

Refer to the Education section for information about substituting educational achievements for specialized experience.

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

Supervisory experience, work with automated financial management systems, and evidence of working and/or living successfully in a multicultural environment is desirable. Such experience in the Foreign Service or other USG agencies or organizations having international operations is preferred.  For the FP-03 level at least one year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to the GS-11/FP-04 level; and for the FP-04 level at least one year must have been equivalent to the GS-9/FP-05 level. Examples include but are not limited to:

• 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.

Note: Consumer loan management/approval and individual tax preparation are not considered to be specialized experience.

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.).