Budget Coordinator

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The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves where collaboration innovation and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children youth and families thrive socially academically and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

Childrens Trust operating under the Executive Office of Education is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect in Massachusetts. Our mission is to partner with organizations and communities to drive systemic change that addresses the root causes of child abuse and neglect. We provide high-quality programs and services deliver training and technical assistance to the family support workforce and work towards systems change enabling MA children to grow up safe and thrive. Our values of collaboration accountability inclusion and celebrating successes are at the core of the work we do.

The Budget Coordinator serves as a critical analytical and operational leader within the Finance Unit providing comprehensive oversight of financial management operations across state and federal funding streams. This position is responsible for strategic budget administration financial policy implementation and fiscal compliance across multiple complex systems including MMARS federal grant programs and nonprofit financial platforms.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary technical expert and liaison for budget operations coordinating financial activities across agency units and external stakeholders including the Executive Office of Administration and Finance legislative budget offices and federal grant agencies. This position requires advanced analytical capabilities to develop spending projections conduct policy impact analyses and provide actionable financial intelligence that directly supports executive decision-making and strategic planning.

The Budget Coordinator exercises independent judgment in managing complex budget transfers ensuring compliance with state financial regulations and federal grant requirements and providing critical financial oversight for both state agency operations and 501(c)(3) activities. This role demands a sophisticated understanding of governmental accounting principles legislative processes and the ability to translate complex fiscal data into clear recommendations for senior leadership and external partners.

The position plays an essential role in maximizing the impact of agency resources through effective financial planning forecasting and strategic resource allocation to meet critical operational and programmatic needs.

This position is funded through June 2028. The candidate will work a hybrid schedule with a mix of remote and in-office work at the Childrens Trust office in Boston.

Key Responsibilities:

Budget Management Analysis & Strategic Planning

Recommend and implement new reporting and systems of budget management across the organization

Execute budget transfers in both MMARS and internal financial systems

Conduct thorough analysis to ensure all transfers are necessary justified and align with operational needs

Develop and monitor spending projections across both caseload and programmatic accounts

Determine projected expenditures and/or revise agency spending plans

Perform comprehensive budget quality control reviews and provide detailed reporting to senior leadership

Generate regular and ad-hoc financial reports to support decision-making processes

Establish and maintain reporting cadences that educate staff on spending patterns and budget performance

Provide proactive follow-up with departments regarding budget variances and spending concerns

Prepare cost/benefit analyses and talking points on policy initiatives and proposed legislation

Implement and/or review accounting procedures consistent with agency laws rules and regulations and GAAP in order to control agency expenditures to ensure consistency of accounting activities and to establish standards for performance

Make recommendations on cost savings initiatives and program expansion proposals

MMARS System Management & Compliance

Execute encumbrance processes in MMARS with precision and timeliness

Support the APO (Allotment and Pre-encumbrance Online) process for all staff utilizing Checkbook system

Monitor and analyze encumbrance activities through comprehensive reporting mechanisms

Process complex MMARS transactions including BGTS (Budget Transfers) LARQ (Line Adjustment Requests) EXs (Expenditure transactions) DEPTEs (Department Expenditures) and POAA (Purchase Order Award Adjustment) rules

Ensure all transactions comply with state financial regulations and internal policies

Financial Analysis Forecasting & Policy Support

Analyze payroll travel and contractor expenditures to identify trends and potential issues

Develop and maintain comprehensive tracking documents for all major expense categories

Collaborate with department managers and stakeholders to provide accurate financial projections

Present findings and recommendations to leadership with clear actionable insights

Participate in crafting budgets briefs strategic communications and spending plans

Supply analysis for any mid-year budget increases or reductions

Track legislation and provide analysis of impacts for annual budget

Assist with evaluation and summary of legislation and policy with fiscal implications

Interagency Coordination & External Relations

Establish and manage Interagency Service Agreements within MMARS

Review and validate budget allocations for reasonableness and necessity

Coordinate with external agencies to ensure proper financial documentation and compliance

Act as liaison between the agency and fiscal/budget staff within relevant state offices

Collaborate with agency staff to create fact sheets and narratives explaining agency initiatives

Respond to budget-related inquiries from external stakeholders

501(c)(3) Financial Support

Provide documentation reporting samples to outsourced non-profit auditors for the organizations 501(c)(3) arm

Deliver QuickBooks guidance training and technical support to ensure accurate financial record-keeping

Maintain separation of funds and ensure compliance with nonprofit financial regulations

Leadership & Communication

Review all requests for funds to ensure agency resources are spent in a manner that purchases the best services for the best value

Communicate and collaborate with managers across agency units on a regular basis regarding budget expectations and expenditures

Provide analysis and prepare materials for projects which need budget information

Lead with creation of charts graphs and data for board or leadership presentations

Assist senior leadership with preparing presentations fiscal policy strategies and implementation of strategic priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced proficiency in MMARS system operations and reporting

Strong QuickBooks knowledge and ability to provide user support

Advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting

Knowledge of state and federal government compliance regulations and accounting principles

3 years of demonstrated analytical skills including the ability to recognize and forecast trends in data

Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in financial data management

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Excellent communication skills for presenting complex financial information

Ability to work independently while maintaining collaborative relationships

Project management skills to handle multiple priorities and deadlines

Experience with and understanding of nonprofit financial regulations and audit requirements

Experience with financial system implementations or upgrades

Strong understanding of the Massachusetts state budget cycle and key players

Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail

Demonstrated project management experience

Travel may be required for this position.

Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to .

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System Requirements

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience in accounting or auditing of with at least (B) three years must have been in a supervisory administrative or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. An Associates degree with a major in accounting business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*

II. A Bachelors degree with a major in accounting business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*

III. A Graduate degree with a major in accounting business administration or business management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you your loved ones and your future.

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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action minorities veterans and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race religion color sex gender identity or expression sexual orientation age disability national origin veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women Black Indigenous and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they dont meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.