Director Of Budget And Administration

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

About The Position

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is seeking an experienced, data-driven financial leader with government budgeting expertise. This position directs the agency’s overall budget, conducts regular financial reviews of departmental and program budgets, manages accounting and financial reporting transactions and payments, coordinates audits, and completes special projects requested by the Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration and the Secretary. The role also leads payroll transaction processing and advises senior leadership on the fiscal and operational impacts of personnel actions. The Director serves as liaison to the Legislative Auditor, coordinates audits, resolves audit issues, prepares formal responses, and develops corrective action plans and procedures. The position is the Commission’s Financial Management Information Systems Coordinator and administers the Maryland Community College Optional Retirement Program, including interpreting applicable laws and regulations, updating policies and controls, and auditing institutions’ salary reporting. The Director works with the Maryland State Department of Education liaison on facility security, risk management, capital improvements, and maintenance. Other duties include annual fiscal year-end closeouts; ensuring financial obligations are paid promptly; authorizing payroll disbursements; reviewing and approving procurements for appropriateness, legal and regulatory compliance, and available funding; advising the Secretary on agency finances; and directing the capital inventory system. The position reviews appeals submitted by independent certified public accountants, recommends actions to agency leadership, maintains knowledge of accounting methods for private and governmental entities, and serves as an expert witness in administrative hearings and court proceedings. Recruitment is limited to current State of Maryland employees. This is a Management Service position serving at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing; OR a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credit hours in accounting and related courses, including or supplemented by three credit hours in auditing.
Five years of experience examining, analyzing, and interpreting accounting systems, records, and reports using generally accepted accounting principles.
Two years of experience must include supervision of professional or paraprofessional fiscal, accounting, payroll, budget, grants, and procurement staff.
Must be a current State of Maryland employee.

Nice To Haves

Experience with financial accounting, including preparation of financial statements and disclosures, and financial analysis.
Experience with the State of Maryland and/or state accounting systems such as RSTARS or FMIS.
Experience supervising subordinate staff, including assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance evaluations, approving time and leave, training, and employee discipline methods.
Experience with Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage the agency’s overall budget and regularly review departmental and programmatic budgets.
Manage accounting, financial reporting transactions, and payments.
Serve as the agency’s point person for audits and as liaison to the Legislative Auditor; coordinate audits, resolve audit issues, prepare formal responses, and develop corrective action plans and procedures.
Lead accurate processing of payroll transactions and advise the Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration or the Secretary on the fiscal and operational impacts of personnel actions.
Serve as the Commission’s Financial Management Information Systems Coordinator.
Administer the Maryland Community College Optional Retirement Program, interpret applicable laws and regulations, maintain program policies, procedures, and controls, and audit institutions’ reporting of employee salaries.
Work with the MSDE liaison to oversee facility security, risk management, capital improvements, and general maintenance.
Complete annual fiscal year-end closeouts and ensure financial obligations are satisfied in a timely manner.
Authorize payroll disbursements and review and approve procurements for appropriateness, compliance, and availability of funds.
Advise the Secretary on financial matters related to agency operations and direct the agency’s capital inventory system.
Review appeals submitted by independent certified public accountants and make recommendations to the Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration and/or the Secretary.
Serve as an expert witness in administrative hearings and court proceedings.
Complete special projects as requested by the Assistant Secretary of Finance and Administration and the Secretary.