Deputy Assistant Secretary

The mission of the Office of Finance and Operations (OFO) is to transform the Department of Education (ED) into a high-performance, customer-focused organization by providing services to our customers that help them do a better job of managing their people, processes, and overall strategy. This position may be detailed to another Federal agency.

Provides senior executive leadership for OFM and oversees Department-wide financial operations, including accounting, financial reporting, payment integrity, cash management, funds control, financial transactions, and fiscal accountability. Advises the Chief Financial Officer and senior Department leadership on financial management risks, audit issues, internal controls, financial reporting, funds management, and fiscal integrity matters. Leads efforts to strengthen financial management systems, processes, controls, and reporting across the Department, including coordination with the principal operating component (program) offices, the Office of Federal Student Aid, the Institute of Education Sciences, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Office of Acquisition Management, the Office of Human Resources, the Office of Business Support Services, Budget Service, and other Department components. Builds a culture of accuracy, accountability, service, audit readiness, and continuous improvement. Ensures OFM has appropriate workforce planning, succession planning, training, and technical expertise to meet the Department's financial management responsibilities and accounting operations. Serves as the senior executive responsible for coordinating the Department's annual financial statement audit and related audit readiness activities. Leads engagements with independent auditors, the Education Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury), the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and other oversight entities on financial audit matters. Coordinates and collaborates with other Department components to ensure independent auditor requests are completed accurately and timely and that corrective actions are implemented and sustained. Leads Department-wide efforts to strengthen fiscal integrity, internal controls, payment integrity, and financial accountability, aligned with broad requirements of a CFO Act agency. Oversees financial control activities related to funds control, obligations, outlays, reconciliations, grant and contract payments, improper payments, and financial reporting. Ensures the Department maintains effective internal controls over financial reporting and financial operations. Supports compliance with federal internal control requirements, including OMB Circular A-123, FMFIA, and related financial management such as guided by the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), FFMIA, and other payment integrity requirements, such as required by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA), and the recent Executive Order 14249 (March 2025). Identifies systemic risks and recommends corrective actions to reduce fraud, waste, abuse, improper payments, reporting errors, and operational weaknesses. Works closely with the CFO, CAO, CIO, CHCO, CDO, Budget Service Director, Business Support Services Director, and other senior leaders to ensure financial operations support for the Department's mission and compliance with federal requirements. Provides financial management expertise on cross-cutting Departmental initiatives, including shared services, financial systems modernization, identifying and leveraging technology solutions, audit remediation, grants management, acquisition management, data quality, payment integrity, and internal control improvements. Supports Department-wide decision-making by providing reliable financial data, risk analysis, and operational insight.

- One year probationary period, unless excepted by regulation. - U.S. Citizenship - Financial disclosure statement, OGE-278. - Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance. - Relocation expenses will NOT be paid. - Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable). Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. - All initial appointments to an SES position are contingent on approval from OPM's Qualification Review Board.