NOAA CFO Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the principal financial manager for an organization whose appropriated resources approach nearly $4 billion and whose recorded capital asset value exceeds $5 billion. The CFO's Office has the responsibility under the CFO act to provide the leadership necessary for NOAA to obtain a yearly-unqualified opinion in the audit of its consolidated financial statements. The areas under the direction of the CFO are the Budget and Finance Offices.

The Budget Office is responsible for the oversight and management of NOAA's budget process. It develops overall guidance, reviews proposals, and prepares supporting justification and documentation. This includes coordinating the preparation of NOAA budget submissions to the Department, OMB and the Congress, including data on budget authority, obligations, outlays, permanent positions, and full-time equivalent employment. The Budget Office also provides for the proper allocation and control of the execution of all budgetary resources as required under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974 (31 U.S.C. 11) and related statutes, and as specified by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Office also maintains a staff that focuses on outreach and communication, particularly with the staff of Congressional Appropriations committees, as well as other Executive Branch agencies.

The Finance Office works to ensure that NOAA's consolidated financial statements and reports accurately reflect NOAA's fiduciary status at the end of the fiscal year, as required of all government agencies under the CFO Act of 1990. It operates NOAA's financial management system to ensure that NOAA's managers have access to timely financial data necessary to make informed programmatic decisions. The Finance Office is also responsible for ensuring that NOAA's bills are paid in a timely manner.