This page is provided as a resource to assist Chief Fiscal Officers with the critical role of managing business in compliance with state finance law.
What Is a Chief Fiscal Officer?
A Chief Fiscal Officer:
Should be equivalent in title or rank to an assistant or deputy to the Department Head and should have be authorized to sign for the Department Head (Department Head Signature Authorization).
Assumes the responsibility for all financial, accounting, and budget issues for the Department including establishing an internal structure, with internal written procedures, and sufficient oversight to effectively manage department activities and monitor compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Ensures that there is either appropriate segregation of duties or appropriate secondary review of fiscal obligations, expenditures, and reporting requirements to maintain adequate fiscal control and accountability.
Is responsible for department compliance with MMARS document (transaction) delegation responsibilities (e.g., procurement, credit cards, etc.).
Serves as CTR’s key contact in the Department’s financial decision-making and policy processes.
Oversees payroll (including payroll cost reporting), budget, revenue, payee, procurement, expenditure, fixed asset, and internal control issues as these issues relate to the state accounting system.
Works closely with Department Head and staff to ensure that department expenditures (including payroll) will not exceed appropriations in violation of state finance law and that, if appropriation shortfalls are anticipated, the necessary steps are taken (in accordance with the law) to reduce department obligations and expenditures to live within current appropriations.
Attends pertinent training sessions related to fiscal responsibilities within the Department and obtains and provides to appropriate staff the necessary training, materials, Intranet/Internet access, and newly issued policies and other materials to enable staff to effectively manage department fiscal activities in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Ensures that all written and electronic communications from CTR, Administration and Finance, Treasury, and other applicable oversight departments are disseminated to the appropriate Department personnel in a timely manner.
State Finance Laws, Regulations, and Policies
Helpful links to get an overview of state finance law and Office of the Comptroller state finance regulation and policy
Department Head Signature Authorization and Electronic Signatures for MMARS Transactions
This allows a Department Head to designate employees who can incur obligations, make expenditures and conduct the day-to-day Department activities on behalf of the Department Head.
This policy reflects the processes that govern the Annual Security Review and Approval for all statewide enterprise systems by Department Heads and primary Department Security Officers.
CTR has published the following resources which all CFOs should be familiar with.
CTR Cyber
The Office of the Comptroller has developed CTR Cyber to identify key cybersecurity internal controls for Commonwealth of Massachusetts departments, and to promote cybersecurity awareness and cyber vigilance for everyone in these organizations.
This handbook includes the object code descriptions and instructions regarding the encumbering and expenditure of all funds and is used for all expenditures of the Commonwealth.
CTR provides an Intranet available to state employees on MAGNet, which serves as a portal to MMARS, HR/CMS, the Commonwealth Information Warehouse, DocDirect, CTHRU, and Vendor Lookup.
Additionally, please find the following CTR resources.
CTR Statewide Learning
View instructor-led trainings on many state finance topics.
CTR acts as the Commonwealth’s overseer of tax reporting and tax withholding requirements for state agencies and departments to federal and state authorities