Overview
Business and finance professionals in state government closely manage financial resources to help agencies deliver on their missions in service to the public. They may directly coordinate monetary transactions, reconcile spending, manage investments, develop budgets and more.
Those in business and finance are valuable financial stewards, ensuring the sustainability of agency services and a reduction of waste across state government. This work is ideal for those who have strong quantitative skills, effectively manage their time and enjoy analytical thinking.
What You Might Work On
In state government, professionals in this field often:
- Manage budgets for state agencies, making sure public funds are tracked and used responsibly
- Analyze economic data to direct policy decisions, forecast revenue or support long-term planning
- Contract with suppliers to procure necessary supplies, reviewing bids and negotiating agreements
- Audit agencies and businesses across the state to ensure compliance
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Enjoy quantitative and detail-heavy work
- Want to enable the accountable use of public resources
- Balance big-picture organizational needs with smaller-scale decision making
- Thrive when optimizing systems and processes
Where You Could Work
State government is broad—so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: Mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies depending on the mission area, including:
- State financial offices: New York State Division of the Budget
- Procurement and contracting: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- Revenue and taxation: Colorado Department of Revenue
Sample positions
Staff Accountant
| Employer / agency | Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Financial Service Center |
| Location(s) | Augusta, Maine |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role ensure state and federal funds are used effectively to meet the health and welfare needs of Maine residents. |
In this role, you may:
- Provide accounting, cash management, revenue, expenditure monitoring or reporting, and analysis resulting in accurate grant management
- Reconcile complex accounts, prepare financial information, formulate corrections and make adjusting entries
- Formulate and recommend system and process changes through evaluation, analysis and the application of accounting theory
- Prepare required financial accounting information to properly account for and close out accounts and activities
- Interpret and apply accounting theory and principles, and adapt procedures and reporting techniques, to ensure compliance with governing laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Private Equity Investment Analyst
| Employer / agency | Wyoming State Treasurer’s Office, Investments Division |
| Location(s) | Cheyenne, Wyoming |
| Mission context | In this role, an analyst would help to guide state investment strategies supporting the growth of $34 billion in state assets. |
In this role, you may:
- Work with the accounting department to settle trades, follow cash flows between funds, issue directives and problem-solve any issues that arise with daily functions
- Assist with the management and coordination of external managers
- Support senior investment staff with fixed income, equity, real estate and alternative investments
- Assist, provide information and make decisions required for cash management.
- Prepare various reports for different groups
- Review reports from portfolio managers, facilitate effective communication with managers and ensure they comply with the Treasurer’s Office Investment Policy
Accountant III – Contracts and Procurement
| Employer / agency | Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance |
| Location(s) | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Mission context | This role supports the division’s stewardship of the Commonwealth’s assets by managing all tasks related to executing contracts. |
In this role, you may:
- Process encumbrances and commitments for all projects, with a focus on maintenance, mechanical, utilities and fire alarm projects
- Monitor multiyear, master maintenance contracts
- Coordinate assigned contract administration activities for contracts and related documents to ensure proper compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, rules and regulations
- Prepare contract documents, perform data entry, obtain approval signatures and track contracts through completion
- Consult with agency personnel on procurement options and make recommendations that meet the needs of and comply with regulations
Budget Administrator
| Employer / agency | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |
| Location(s) | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Mission context | This position ensures responsible financial stewardship through the coordination of budget, accounting and financial management operations to support the agency’s law enforcement actions. |
In this role, you may:
- Provide consultation and assistance in the development and implementation of short- and long-range plans relating to budget management
- Oversee the preparation of bid information that includes bid specifications, invitations to bid, requests for proposals, invitations to negotiate and other related methods of procurement
- Act as a statewide advanced buyer for p-card purchases and ensure transactions are properly procured, documentation received and charges processed for payment
- Serve as the division’s Federal Emergency Management Agency liaison to the Finance and Budget Office and work on the preparation, reporting, review and oversight of FEMA-related projects
