Anne Arundel County’s Office of Finance plays a critical role in managing the county’s financial resources, ensuring fiscal stability, and promoting responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The office is responsible for a broad range of activities, including budgeting, accounting, treasury management, procurement, and risk management. Its overarching goal is to provide efficient and transparent financial services to the county government and its citizens. The budgeting division is responsible for developing and managing the county’s annual operating and capital budgets. This involves working closely with county departments to forecast revenue, identify funding priorities, and allocate resources effectively. The budget process is a collaborative effort, incorporating input from the County Executive, County Council, and the public. The final approved budget serves as a roadmap for county spending and reflects the county’s policy priorities. The accounting division maintains accurate and reliable financial records for the county. This includes processing invoices, managing payroll, and preparing financial statements. The division also ensures compliance with all applicable accounting standards and regulations. Accurate financial reporting is essential for accountability and transparency in government operations. Treasury management involves the prudent investment and management of the county’s cash balances. The Office of Finance is responsible for safeguarding county funds and maximizing investment returns while adhering to strict investment policies. Effective treasury management helps to ensure the county has sufficient cash flow to meet its obligations and also generates revenue that can be used to support county programs and services. Procurement is another key function of the Office of Finance. This division is responsible for overseeing the county’s purchasing activities, ensuring that goods and services are acquired in a fair, competitive, and cost-effective manner. The procurement process is designed to promote transparency, prevent fraud and corruption, and obtain the best value for taxpayer dollars. The division also works to promote opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses to participate in county contracting. Risk management is an increasingly important function of the Office of Finance. This involves identifying and assessing potential risks to the county’s financial assets and operations, and developing strategies to mitigate those risks. This may include insurance coverage, internal controls, and disaster recovery planning. Effective risk management helps to protect the county from financial losses and ensures the continuity of essential services. The Office of Finance is led by the Controller, who is appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The Controller is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the county’s financial operations and for ensuring that the county’s finances are managed in a sound and responsible manner. The office is committed to providing excellent customer service to county departments, vendors, and citizens. This includes providing timely and accurate information, responding promptly to inquiries, and resolving financial issues efficiently.