Federal Position Descriptions
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Assistant Secretary for Financial Management

Army Assistant Secretary for Financial Management and Comptroller, Department of Defense
Responsibility
Management Scope

The assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller is responsible for providing the financial management and analytical services necessary for the effective and efficient use of Army resources. The Army has a fiscal 2017 requested budget of $148 billion.2

Primary Responsibilities

• Formulates, submits and defends the Army budget to Congress and the American people
• Oversees the proper and effective use of appropriated resources to accomplish the Army’s assigned missions
• Provides timely, accurate and reliable financial information to enable leaders and managers to incorporate cost considerations into their decision-making
• Provides transparent reporting to Congress and the American people on the use of appropriated resources and the achievement of established Army-wide performance objectives
• Manages and coordinates programs for the accession, training and professional development of Army resource managers
• Chairs the Army Cost Review board and approves the Army Cost Position for major acquisition programs
• Develops Army finance and accounting policies, practices and procedures in coordination with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, including for classified Army programs and the tactical finance and accounting network
• Directs the implementation of the department’s Internal Review and Audit Compliance Program
• Serves as the liaison between the department and Congress for appropriations
• Designates a senior military official to serve on financial service-related boards
• Provides financial management oversight of non-appropriated funds3

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Appointed from civilian life (10 U.S. Code § 8016)
• Strong background in financial management with an understanding of budgeting, program execution, accounting and cost analysis
• Leadership experience with an ability to steer, engage and motivate a multi-division organization
• Skill in partnering with other offices with oversight and shared responsibility for financial management within the Department of Defense
• Knowledge of the department’s functions and policies
• Understanding of the budget-setting role of other executive branch organizations, including the Office of Management and Budget, and the overarching authorities of Congress
• Familiarity with information technology, risk management and data analytics (a plus)

Competencies

• Strong communications and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead people and organizations through change
• Ability to work under high pressure
• Ability to handle sensitive and high-profile matters
• Ability to lead meetings efficiently and effectively
• Strong business acumen to achieve effective and efficient results
• Ability to clearly articulate complex budget issues to senior leaders, OMB, Congress and the media
• Ability to collaborate with DOD senior leaders — both military and civilian — as well as other CFOs and OMB
• Knowledge of and relationships with/ability to develop relationships with Congress

Past Appointments
  • Robert M. Speer (2014 to 2017): Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller); Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Federal Practice lead for Defense and Army business; Engagement Director, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), Audit Readiness Support4
  • Dr. Mary Sally Matiella (2010 to 2014): Assistant Chief Financial Officer for Accounting for the Department of Housing and Urban Development; USDA, Forest Service, Chief Financial Officer; Staff Accountant, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, Comptroller5
  • Nelson M. Ford (2006 to 2007): Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller; Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Budgets & Financial Policy, Department of Defense; President and CEO of Clinipad, a manufacturer of disposable medical products6
AGENCY

Department of Defense

Mission: The U.S. Army's mission is to fight and win our nation's wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders.

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary of the Army

SENATE COMMITTEE

Armed Services

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
  2. Leadership Directories: https://lo.bvdep.com/OrgDocument.asp?OrgId=-1&LDIBookId=19&LDIOrgId=152640&LDISecId=180&FromRecent=1&Save=0#O152640
  3. https://www.asafm.army.mil/offices/office.aspx?officecode=1000
  4. https://www.asafm.army.mil/Offices/OfficeBio.aspx?OfficeCode=1000
  5. http://chapters.asmconline.org/mtvernon/files/2011/11/Biography-of-Dr.-Matiella.pdf
  6. http://www.lmi.org/CMSPages/getfile.aspx?nodeguid=31f40263-fd44-4ca8-960c-f1f9bc96e3ac&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
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