Budget and Finance Division

The Budget and Finance Division of the District of Columbia Courts is responsible for using high quality financial and performance information to make and implement effective policy, management, stewardship, and program decisions. This Division prepares, enacts, and administers the DC Courts annual spending plan (budget); develops and maintains the accounting and reporting system of the DC Courts; receives and processes payments (i.e. court fees, fines, and forfeitures) made in the DC Courts; and issues, audits, reviews, tracks and pays vouchers for the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) and Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) programs as well as makes payments for court-ordered compensation to legal and expert service providers under the DC Courts' Guardianship program. The Budget and Finance Division is comprised of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and four branches: the Budget Branch, Defender Services Branch, Financial Operations Branch, and Reporting and Controls Branch.

Budget Branch

Works closely with the Executive Office to develop the Courts' Annual Budget
Prepares, enacts, administers and monitors the DC Courts' annual spending plans
Ensures the Courts' compliance with federal regulations related to the annual appropriations (OMB, Department of Treasury, GSA, etc.)
Manages and reports on grant awards and reimbursements

Defender Services Branch

Ensures the issuance and processing of claims for legal and expert services for the following programs:
Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN)
Criminal Justice Act (CJA)
Guardianship Program

Financial Operations Branch

Ensures the prompt payment of invoices for goods and services
Ensures timely and accurate issuance of Court ordered distributions
Ensures accurate posting of payment transactions
Reports on any accounts payables that remain outstanding

Reporting and Controls Branch

Ensures the accurate accounting, reconciliation and reporting of the Courts' financial resources
Ensures the accurate collection and deposit of funds tendered to the Courts
Maintains escrow funds deposited with the Courts
Rules