The mission of the Financial Services Section is to develop a budget from actual and estimated financial data that are used by the agency to fund public education. This section is also responsible for annually developing the agency's budget for submission to the Budget and Control Board, Office of State Budget, and developing budget projections for school districts. Responsibilities include monitoring all administrative expenditures for the agency and providing technical assistance to SCDE offices, Governor's School for Science and Mathematics; and Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. The section is responsible for allocating state funds to school districts and other entities, keeping the Local Educational Agency (LEA) business officials informed of changes in state and federal education programs and related funding issues and requirements.
Information is provided to the general public to address inquiries regarding education funding and expenditures in South Carolina.
The mission of the Grants Accounting Section is to be responsible for monitoring all federal, state, and EIA grants to school districts, state agencies, and other entities. Grant awards are reviewed prior to their being sent to grantees, project numbers are assigned and information on grant award is verified. Grant allocations are loaded to the Project Accounting System. Budgets and expenditures for grants are monitored. Funds are disbursed to sub-recipients.
The mission of the Office of Instructional Materials is to administer the Free Basal Textbook Enabling Act, cited in Title 59 Chapter 31 of the South Carolina Code of Laws and State Board of Education Regulation 43-71. The definition of textbooks includes print and digital instructional materials.
The mission of the Office of Auditing Services (OAS) is to add value to the South Carolina Department of Education by providing assurance and consulting services to management to ensure its financial and operational objectives are being achieved as well as ensure the agency and its sub recipients are in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. OAS also provides technical assistance to school business officials, independent certified public accountants, and other professionals relating to various state and federal financial reporting requirements.
OAS is responsible for conducting audits of not-for-profit organizations and selected school districts throughout the State that receive funds administered by the South Carolina Department of Education. OAS reviews all OMB Circular A-133 audit findings and requests management decisions from program areas.
OAS conducts internal audits of the agency's programs, operations, and maintenance bus shops to ensure accuracy of reported information, efficient and effective operations, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
The mission of the Fiscal Accounting Section is to process 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 STARS, Procurement Code, state regulations, and other financial guidelines.
The mission of the Office of Procurement is to support the educational goals of the State Department of Education by providing an efficient and cost effective acquisition of quality goods, services, and management of internal services.
All contracts and bids are done through SCEIS (South Carolina Enterprise Information System). Vendors must be registered to submit bids.