Air Force Financial Management transition on schedule

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson and Mr. Alan Howze
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs and Air Force Financial Management communications team
ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. --  The Air Force Financial Management recently held an Executive Session, at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., to update senior Air Force financial management leaders on the transformation efforts that are currently underway to increase efficiency, streamline processes and return resources to the war fighter by redesigning the entire way that financial services are delivered to Airmen and Commanders. 

"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, who led the three day Executive Session. 

Senior Financial Management executives from across the Air Force attended the Session, which included a tour of the soon-to-be operational Air Force Financial Services Center (AFFSC), a centralized financial operations facility that is projected to save the Air Force $200 million, and is a key part of the overall financial management transformation. 

Redesigning the financial services delivery model includes rethinking and reengineering how Air Force Financial Management delivers services; providing more customer service options for Airmen resulting in less time spent dealing with financial issues. "Our transformation groundwork is built on industry and government best practices," said Mr. Vonglis. "It begins with a clear mission and a detailed plan, and is delivered through tightly focused execution." 

One of the transformation's first tangible milestones was achieved a year ago, when the Financial Management Center of Expertise opened at Buckley AFB, Colorado, explained Roger A. Bick, director of FM Transformation. In the first year, the CoE team has saved the Air Force nearly $2 million through successful cost analysis projects. 

Another major milestone will be the opening of the AFFSC this fall at Ellsworth AFB. Phase I of the AFFSC is the creation of a Central Processing Center to assume responsibility for the financial processing currently being conducted at every base in the Air Force. 

As part of the migration of workload from base Financial Services offices to the AFFSC, an aggressive communications effort is underway to educate and inform Airmen, Commanders and members of the FM community. 

"Teams of FM experts are scheduled to travel to over 130 Air Force installations over the next eight months to train FM personnel and explain to base leaders, Airmen and FM personnel why FM is changing and what this transformation means for them," said Lt Col Howard Osborne, who is leading the Financial Services Transformation team. "This first phase of reassigning responsibility for back shop activities are designed to be a seamless transition to FM customers," said Lt Col Osborne. "The customer service desk at each base will remain the primary focal point for Airmen and their finance questions." 

The second phase of the operation, scheduled for October 2008 deployment, is the activation of the 24-hour contact center. This unique feature of the AFFSC will allow Airmen to access self-service channels, such as an interactive website, as well as talk to a trained financial service technician to address any concerns a member may have concerning financial matters. 

"The second phase creates a more efficient organization that will be better able to support our customers by consolidating financial expertise at the Contact Center," Lt Col Osborne said. "We're utilizing advanced customer relationship tools built around an internet platform for maximum flexibility." 

Support to Airmen will move to the AFFSC one base at a time, beginning with Space Command in October 2007. Several months prior to a base's 'cut-over' to the Center, a team of Financial experts will visit every base to raise awareness and collect feedback from wing leadership, Comptroller Squadron staff and Airmen and their families. 

Concluded Mr. Vonglis, "Our move to a new service delivery model is the right move for the Air Force, and, as we consolidate operations, we will not lose sight of the importance of high quality customer service for our Airmen, and we will maintain financial management's well deserved reputation for responsive, accurate and reliable service, because our Airmen and their families deserve nothing less."