What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fiscal Specialist II-Finance, Bureau of Reporting & Grants/Division of Grants Accounting position at Howard County Government?
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
Oversight responsibility for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant programs in all County departments to ensure compliance with the requirements of Federal regulations and the terms and conditions of the grant award. Reviews internal control policies and procedures to ensure the ARPA grant is expended in accordance with all appropriate governmental regulations as well as the County's Grants Management policy and procedures. This position requires a high level of knowledge and understanding of Federal statutes, regulations, and policies and will also assist with periodic reporting, budget management and other compliance activities as required. Position also requires considerable independence and the ability to work collaboratively with staff in various County departments. Position requires good communication skills, considerable discretion and confidentiality.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$36.49 - $41.17
$75,903 - $85,638
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs intermediate professional level financial administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes examining and evaluating administrative and operational programs, financial reporting systems, and agency budgets; performing accounts and records audits; planning, developing, analyzing, and monitoring fiscal records and budgets; and preparing financial statements. Monitors budgeting activities and records of major departments. Supervises cashiers and oversees County banking operations.
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Sets up new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) projects and sponsored programs within the SAP system.
Works with County agencies, subrecipients and other external beneficiaries of ARPA funds and aligns their program budgets and activities in accordance with U.S. Treasury guidance.
Documents how assistance initiatives meet the SLFRF eligible-use categories and retains documentation and conclusions for compliance and audit purposes.
Collaborates with the County’s Consulting firm to seek expert advice on ARPA subject matter and guidance on legal and regulatory use of SLFRF for eligible programs, and to obtain support on preliminary eligibility, commentaries, and program design of proposed projects.
Collects required documents pertaining to grant recipients such as W9 Federal Tax ID Form, vendor information, tax-exempt status, and ensuring the entity has active SAM.gov registration with no suspension and debarment and in good standing with the County.
Populates programmatic data in the County’s ARPA Reporting tool and maintains up-to-date information.
Collaborates with the Budget Office and DTCS in developing routine and ad-hoc reports as requested by Administration for internal use as well as for public disclosures of the County’s ARPA programs.
Periodically collects performance metrics the County intends to track and report.
Drafts beneficiary and sub-recipient grant agreements and coordinates the signatory process.
Ensures all agreements are fully executed and updated as needed.
Initiates the process of disbursing grant awards to recipients by communicating payment requests to Accounts Payable.
Coordinates between the Department of Finance and other County departments to ensure compliance with governmental regulations, statutes, and grants management policy and procedures.
Guides the staff of implementing departments by answering questions and providing interpretations of the U.S. Treasury guidance and related regulations. Advises the departments regarding requirement for any year-end accruals.
Interprets U.S. Treasury guidance and related regulations, policies, and award documents to determine allowable expenditures, payment provisions, and financial reporting requirements.
Ensures implementing departments are complying with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements (Uniform Guidance) for the ARPA Grant.
Ensures sub-recipients are properly monitored, as necessary to determine that they have expended sub-awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the sub-award and have met any pass-through entity requirements.
Performs periodic review and analysis of departmental expenditures and substantiates accuracy, compliance with budget and ARPA terms. Works with the implementing department and other accounting staff to resolve discrepancies. Tracks grant expenditure records in SAP to ensure they are up-to-date and accurate. Works with the implementing departments to ensure budget allocations are being met. Monitors to ensure all expenditures are allowable and have been posted correctly in SAP.
Attends various meetings within the County related to ARPA and remains apprised of new allocated projects and developments, with respect to allowable costs and documents required to support expenditures.
Works to ensure the County meets the U.S. Treasury quarterly reporting deadlines for SLFRF (ARPA).
Collect, analyze and review information for completeness and accuracy.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
A Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Accounting or Finance.
Possess strong working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software packages.
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Public Financial Officer (CPFO) is desired.
Experience in working with Federal and State grants.
Knowledge of governmental laws and regulations related to grants is preferred.
Knowledge of internal control procedures and practices is strongly recommended.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with variety of people across departments.
Flexibility to adapt to changing regulation and requirements.
Detail oriented and must possess strong communication and analytical skills.
Ability to multi-task.
Ability to work independently.
Experience with SAP or other Enterprise Resource Planning systems is a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as grant contracts, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedures manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with granting organizations representatives or employees of the County on the phone and in person.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Salary : $75,903 - $146,160
