Senior Accountant/Fiscal Analyst - 60027527

Full Job Description

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

Job Purpose:

The Budget and Financial Services Analyst serves as a strategic financial partner to the South Carolina Department of Education, providing advanced analytical, compliance, and operational support across all budgetary financial services functions.

This position is responsible for evaluating agency budgets, expenditures, and funding allocations to ensure sound fiscal management, regulatory compliance, and alignment with statewide education priorities.

Responsibilities:

Budget Planning, Analysis, and Oversight

This position serves as a key financial analyst for the agency, responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating budgetary adjustments, expenditures, and funding allocations across all programs and offices.

The role supports the development, implementation, and enforcement of internal budgetary policies and procedures to ensure sound fiscal management and regulatory compliance.

The analyst assists with the preparation and compilation of the South Carolina Department of Education’s (SCDE) annual agency budget request submitted to the Governor for approval and supports budget projections for agency operations and statewide education programs.

The position will prepare and process budget entries to load, increase, decrease, and transfer cost center budgets in alignment with approved state, federal, restricted, lottery, and other funding sources.

Financial Compliance, Controls, and Reporting

This position ensures all budgetary and financial activity complies with state and federal laws, SCDE regulations, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.

The analyst reviews and evaluates budgetary procedures for fiscal compliance and prepares, reviews, and validates financial documentation including budget vouchers, journal vouchers, appropriation cash transfers, and related entries.

The role is responsible for the timely and accurate preparation of financial reporting for Education Improvement Act (EIA) programs, annual accountability reports, and other internal and external reporting requirements.

The analyst responds to financial data requests from agency leadership, legislative staff, oversight entities, and external stakeholders.

Program Cost Analysis and Financial Evaluation

This position performs in-depth financial and program analyses to evaluate the fiscal impact of new, expanded, or reorganized agency services and advises management on program funding requirements and sustainability.

The analyst evaluates cost projections, monitors expenditures against approved budgets, and supports financial decision-making for agency leadership.

The role supports statewide education funding initiatives, including General Fund, EIA, and Lottery funding.

Training, Technical Assistance, and Financial Operations Support

This position delivers budget and financial systems training to agency offices, ensuring consistent understanding of budget management, reporting requirements, and compliance standards.

The analyst develops and updates training materials and guidelines to reflect current laws, policies, and system changes.

The role will support legislative data collections, assist with district budget projections, and serve as a financial and technical resource to internal and external partners.

This role will work closely with the Budget Manager with special projects and operational initiatives as assigned.

The position operates as a trusted advisor and problem-solver, supporting the agency’s mission through disciplined financial stewardship and continuous improvement.

This position is located in the Office of Finance.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field and professional experience in a related area, such as accounting, auditing, finance, or banking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
• Three plus (3+) years of experience in public sector finance, with a focus on school district, state, or local government financial operations.
• Professional experience in budget management or financial management, auditing, or compliance—ideally in a government or education setting.
• Proven ability to analyze financial data, interpret regulations, and ensure fiscal accountability across complex systems.
• Demonstrated success in providing technical assistance and professional development in finance or compliance contexts.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, state-level financial reporting requirements, and fiscal policy.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and convey complex financial information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Skilled in using technology and data systems to drive operational improvements and compliance tracking.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to transparent and responsible public finance.

Additional Information

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

http://www.ed.sc.gov/jobs/human-resources/title-ix-nondiscrimination/