Budget Director

The eight-person Budget Department formulates financial strategies, prepares annual budgets and multi-year financial plans, assists in the management of federal and state grants, and monitors the County’s annual budget.  The County’s annual operating budget is $841 million ($341 million General Fund), and the County’s five-year Capital Improvement Plans total $1.4 billion.

HIRING SALARY RANGE:  $120,161.60- $157,393.60 (Salary based on qualifications/experience)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs preparation of annual budget, including determining issues and alternatives for budget; communicating same to Council, Leadership Team, Elected/Appointed Officials and Department Heads; directing calculation of revenue estimates; and coordinating calculation of relevant tax millage rates.
• Directs preparation of Capital Improvement Plans, Debt Management Plan, Transportation Sales Tax Plans and Five-Year Operating Estimates.
• Provides leadership to the Budget Department team in developing, preparing, and reporting the budget of Charleston County and related entities.
• Directs preparation of annual budget documents, maintaining familiarity with authoritative sources for changes in budget practices and performing final review of all documents.
• Presents the proposed annual budget to Council.
• Administers the budget and performs a final review of budget transfers to ensure that all work has been performed in accordance with ordinances, directives and policies.
• Assists with maintaining the County’s financial accounting structure and assists the Finance Department and other departments with financial transactions.
• Directs the County’s financial analysis and evaluates the fiscal impact of all items going to Council Committees.
• Perform periodic reviews of County’s finances, including mid-year review, and reports periodically to the Administrator and County Council on the financial status of the County.
• Serves in Finance Section for Emergency Operations and serves as County’s Applicant Agent for declared disasters and the reimbursement process with FEMA.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field required.
• Master’s Degree in similar field preferred.
• Minimum of ten years or more of experience in budget departments or a related field, with five years of experience in progressively responsible positions for a budget department in a county or city with similar complexities.
• South Carolina Certified Government Finance Officer; Certified Public Accountant and/or National Certified Government Finance Officer preferred.
• Any equivalent combination which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.

• Possess excellent interpersonal and oral/written communications skills.
• Possess advanced knowledge and proficiency with large-scale governmental financial systems and other common applications (Microsoft).
• Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and budgeting in local governmental setting.
• Exercise tact, discretion and sound judgment in addressing sensitive or confidential matters.
• Demonstrate logical and creative thought processes to identify issues and develop solutions.
• Analyze and interpret technical and professional journals, financial reports, legal documents and proposed legislation.

Salary : $120,162 - $157,394