Financial management undergoes transformation

  • Published
  • By Ted Sherburne
  • Air Force Financial Service Center
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The Air Force is transforming its financial management operations in the largest change in AF FM's 60-year history.

The changes will help to provide more effective and efficient finance operations within base-level comptroller squadrons by consolidating the backshop processing operations currently provided by 93 separate base finance offices at Active and Reserve bases worldwide into one operation at the new Air Force Financial Services Center at Ellsworth, S.D.

The workload currently performed at each base is migrating to the AFFSC by Major Command. The migration started with Air Force Space Command in October and will conclude in April.

But, don't worry, people will continue to receive service, and the changes will save the Air Force $210 million.

The initial effort to consolidate the workload is designed to be seamless and how customer service provided will not change in the initial stand-up of the AFFSC.

In October, the initial operational capability of the contact center will be reached. In this phase additional options for customers to get service, including Web self-service and a contact center will be available.

Much like other career fields, Airmen will see fewer financial managers on base, but will have more flexibility in obtaining service through 24/7 self-service and contact center options.

Base finance office walk-in service will remain for some services; however, customers will be encouraged to use the new service options.

The financial services transformation cut-over team is assisting each base in preparation to transition to the new service center. Recently, the FST cut-over team visited McConnell to brief the 22nd Comptroller Squadron and wing and base leadership on the transformation initiative and train the comptroller squadron on the processes and novel technology solutions they will use in the future.

McConnell will see its back office processing move to the new Financial Services Center starting Feb. 22. The transition is designed to be seamless to customers, and bases that have already migrated their processing to the AFFSC have not seen any impact to operations.

Air Force financial management is transforming the way it conducts business to better provide focused financial services to all Airmen in alignment with the Air Force's goals of ensuring its 700,000-plus men and women are provided with the state-of-the-art technology and outstanding financial services that they and their families expect and deserve.

"Financial Management's transformation objective is to provide the Air Force 'a longer tooth and a shorter tail' by returning resources from support operations to direct war fighting capabilities," said Mr. John Vonglis, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller.

The AFFSC will utilize the latest technologies and training to increase the efficiency of Air Force financial management operations and will free up resources that can be allocated to directly supporting the warfighter and Air Force mission.

Stay tuned for more updates on changes and for more information visit the AFFSC Web site on the Air Force Portal by highlighting 'Life & Career' Tab, then clicking on 'Money - Finance Central,' then select 'Air Force Financial Services Center' link.