(1) Financial management (FM) service is defined in ARM 37.40.1402.

(2) The financial manager acts as the common law employer (employer of record) and the consumer acts as the managing employer. Since the financial manager is the employer, this entity is responsible for all employee-related expenses and liability risks that may be incurred if a worker's compensation or unemployment claim is filed.

(3) On behalf of the consumer/personal representative the financial manager will:

(a) accept referral from the consumer/personal representative to process the employment packet;

(b) prepare and distribute an application package of information that is clear and easy for the potential employee to understand and follow;

(c) provide needed counseling and technical assistance regarding the role of the FM to consumer, their personal representatives, and others;

(d) process employment application package and documentation for prospective individual to be employed (as agency employee);

(e) complete criminal background checks on prospective consumer-referred worker and maintain results on file, if requested by the consumer;

(f) establish and maintain record for each individual employed and process all employment records;

(g) withhold, file, and deposit Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), and State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) taxes in accordance with Federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Department of Labor (DOL), and state rules (if applicable);

(h) process all judgments, garnishments, tax levies or any related holds on a consumer's worker as may be required by local, state, or federal laws;

(i) generate and distribute IRS W-2s and 1099s, wage and tax statements and related documentation annually to all member-employed providers who meet the statutory threshold earnings, amounts during the tax year by January 31st;

(j) withhold, file, and deposit federal and state income taxes (if applicable) in accordance with federal IRS and state Department of Revenue Services rules and regulation;

(k) administer benefits for member-employed providers (if applicable);

(l) generate payroll checks in a timely and accurate manner, as approved in the consumer's self-direct spending plan, and in compliance with all federal and state regulations;

(m) develop a method of payment of invoices and monitoring expenditures against the self-direct spending plan for each consumer;

(n) receive, review, and process all invoices from individuals, vendors, or agencies providing consumer-directed goods or services as approved in the consumer's self-direct spending plan authorized by the division;

(o) process and pay non-labor-related invoices;

(p) generate utilization reports along with payroll reflecting accurate balances for a consumer/personal representative, independence advisor, the regional program officer (RPO), and the division;

(q) establish and maintain all consumer records with confidentiality, accuracy, and appropriate safeguards;

(r) respond to calls for consumer or their personal representatives and employees regarding issues such as withholdings and net payments, lost or late checks, reports, and other documentation;

(s) file claims through the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) for consumer-directed goods and services and prepare checks for individually hired workers; and

(t) generate service management and statistical information and reports.

(4) This is a mandatory service for consumer-direction.

(5) The fiscal manager provider must be certified by the department to provide the service.