Overview

The Finance Department maintains the fiscal integrity of the County's financial records. This Office reports the results of the County's operations and changes in its financial position to various interested parties, such as state and federal grantors and regulatory agencies, financial markets, investors and concerned taxpayers.

Contact

Lonnie Hamilton, III, Public Service Building

4045 Bridge View Dr., N. Charleston, SC 29405

Phone: (843) 958-4600

Fax: (843) 958-4615

Email: @CharlestonCounty.org

Office Hours: M – F | 8:30AM – 5PM

Responsibilities

  • Provide payment to vendors
  • Process and maintain employee time records and issue employee payroll checks
  • Maintain financial and fixed asset inventory records for all County departments
  • Work with financial markets to borrow funds needed to acquire facilities and equipment
  • Monitor the stewardship of public funds
  • Ensure the ability of the County to meet financial obligations
  • Monitor compliance with legal and regulatory provisions applicable to the expenditure and investment of public funds

Common Terms

Debt Instruments:
A device used by the County to borrow money for large expenditures and capital projects. Examples are General Obligation Bonds, Revenue Bonds and Certificates of Participation, which are repaid over 15 to 25 years.
Fixed Asset Inventory Records:
A catalogued list of the County's personal properties that exceed $5,000 in value, buildings that exceed $100,000 in value or land.
Stewardship:
The management of another's property or financial affairs.
Fiscal Management:
The act of supervising or controlling finances.

Interesting Facts

Charleston County has a Standard & Poor's (S & P) bond rating of AAA, a Moody's Investors Service rating of AAA and a Fitch Ratings rating of AAA. These high ratings are evidence of excellence in fiscal management for a county government.

Charleston County has a Standard & Poor's (S & P) bond rating of AAA and a Moody's Investors Service rating of AAA. These high ratings are evidence of excellence in fiscal management for a county government.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answer:Generally, to minimize the impact on millage rates when funding large-scale projects.

Borrowing funds allows the County to spread payments for large projects over several years.

Answer:All bills should be submitted to the department you contracted with.

The department must verify the accuracy of the bill before sending to the Finance Department for payment.