Chief Finance Office

The mission of the Office of Finance is to provide sound, professional financial leadership and support to internal and external stakeholders; provide timely and accurate payments to school districts, vendors, and other entities; provide customer service of the highest quality to those within and outside of the agency: and to comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

Financial Services: The Financial Services section provides funding and support to school districts and special schools across the state. The section is responsible for allocating and disbursing Education Finance Act (EFA), Education Improvement Act (EIA), Lottery, and other state restricted funds. This section manages the pupil accounting system and the SC Educator (formerly PCS) data collection system.

Fiscal Accounting: The Fiscal Accounting section processes payments of vouchers and outstanding purchase orders in a timely manner. This section ensures that the Department's payment policies and receipting procedures are followed in accordance with SCEIS, the Comptroller General Guidelines, the Consolidated Procurement Code, and other state laws and regulations. This section also manages the agency’s acquisition and disposal of assets.

Budget: The Budget Section is responsible for loading and managing the agency’s budget as appropriated by the General Assembly in accordance with state laws and regulations. This section is also responsible for submitting the agency’s budget to the Executive Budget Office.

Grants Accounting: The Grants Accounting section is responsible for disbursing and managing the fiscal activity of federal and state grant awards to school districts, state agencies, and other entities. Grant awards are reviewed prior to being sent to grantees. Sub award numbers are assigned and information on grant awards are verified. Grant allocations are loaded through Grants Accounting Processing System (often referred to as GAPS). Budgets and expenditures for grants are monitored through GAPS and/or statewide system, SCEIS. Funds for reimbursements are disbursed to sub-recipients on a weekly basis.