COMMENTARY>>Financial Services transformation has begun

By 1st Lt. Sean Andrews
19th Comptroller Squadron

A financial services transformation is under way across the Air Force. This is an on-going Air Force effort aimed at enhancing customer service for members and their dependents through the use of computers and telephone systems for pay concerns.

The end result, from a customer standpoint, is much of the processing previously completed at Little Rock Air Force Base has been moved to the Air Force’s Finance Service Center at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. As the transformation moves forward, almost all services will be processed at the finance service center.

With your help, the overall service you can expect to receive will only improve. How? First “Click”, then “Call”, and when all else fails “Walk.”

“Click” refers to Web-based self service items accessible through the Air Force Portal. Members can now access tools such as a frequently asked questions page, calculators, links to MyPay, the Defense Travel System, LeaveWeb, demonstrations and more.

Coming soon, members will have access to a Pay and Travel Instant Advice tool as well as a Web Inquiry Form, which they will be able to use to send questions to the AFFSC.

The 19th Comptroller Squadron has recently begun using the PCS In-Processing System, known as PIPS, and the e-Finance system. Soon, a program called e-Voucher will allow members to submit all of their non-DTS vouchers without having to leave their workstations. These systems were designed to streamline the customer flow, paperwork and time spent waiting for assistance at the base finance office.

The “Call” function is the ability to inquire about or address concerns by calling the finance service center. This is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week operation co-located with the center. Members will be able to inquire about any finance issue, anytime, anywhere, beginning next year.

Finally, members can “Walk” into our finance office for complex issues. The finance office, located on the first floor of Bldg. 1255 in the consolidated support center, will remain after the transformation is complete. That being said, we need base-wide support for these programs. These changes are a very good thing.

By providing better services with less waste and cost, we become better stewards of taxpayer dollars. We can only do this with everyone on board.