FEC Filing

Term from Political Campaigns industry explained for recruiters

FEC Filing refers to the process of submitting required financial reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which tracks money in U.S. politics. This is like keeping a detailed financial diary for political campaigns, showing who gave money, how much was spent, and what it was spent on. Campaign staff who handle FEC Filings make sure all donations and expenses are properly reported to stay within the law. It's similar to bookkeeping or accounting, but specifically for political campaigns with special rules and deadlines set by the government.

Examples in Resumes

Managed FEC Filing compliance for a Senate campaign with $2M+ in donations

Prepared quarterly FEC Filings and maintained campaign finance records

Supervised team of 3 staff members handling Federal Election Commission Reports

Ensured accuracy of FEC Reports and met all filing deadlines

Typical job title: "Campaign Finance Managers"

Also try searching for:

Compliance Director Campaign Treasurer Political Finance Manager FEC Compliance Specialist Campaign Finance Director Political Compliance Officer

Where to Find Campaign Finance Managers

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a situation where you discover a major reporting error in previous FEC filings?

Expected Answer: Should explain the amendment process, importance of transparency, and steps to prevent future errors. Should mention internal controls and staff training.

Q: What experience do you have with managing large-scale campaign finance operations?

Expected Answer: Should discuss managing multiple report types, coordinating with various campaign departments, and implementing compliance systems.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the main deadlines and reports required for FEC filing?

Expected Answer: Should know quarterly filing deadlines, pre-election reports, 48-hour notices, and year-end reports timing and requirements.

Q: How do you ensure compliance with contribution limits?

Expected Answer: Should explain tracking individual and PAC limits, handling excess contributions, and maintaining proper documentation.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic information must be collected for campaign contributions?

Expected Answer: Should know donor name, address, occupation, employer, date, and amount requirements for different contribution levels.

Q: How do you organize campaign finance data for reporting?

Expected Answer: Should discuss basic record-keeping, spreadsheet usage, and common campaign finance software tools.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic campaign finance laws knowledge
  • Data entry and record keeping
  • Use of FEC filing software
  • Basic compliance checks

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Managing quarterly filings independently
  • Contribution limit tracking
  • Staff training on compliance
  • Amendment preparation

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex compliance strategy
  • Large campaign finance operations
  • Audit preparation and response
  • Development of compliance procedures

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic FEC deadlines and requirements
  • Unfamiliarity with campaign finance software
  • Poor attention to detail in financial records
  • Lack of experience with compliance regulations