AF transitions financial management operations

  • Published
  • 97th Comptroller Squadron
ALTUS AFB --  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 worldwide (Active and Reserve bases) into one operation at the new Air Force Financial Services Center (AFFSC) at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. The workload currently performed at each base will migrate to the AFFSC by MAJCOM starting with Air Force Space Command in October 2007 and conclude in April 2008. But don't worry, you will continue to receive outstanding service, while 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 is provided does not change in the initial stand-up of the AFFSC. In October 2008 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 FM'ers on base, but will have more flexibility in obtaining service through 24x7 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 your base this summer to brief the Comptroller Squadron as well as 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. Altus will see its back office processing move to the new Financial Services Center starting in February. 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 website on the AF Portal by highlighting 'Life & Career' Tab, then clicking on 'Money - Finance Central', then select 'Air Force Financial Services Center'  link.