Team Osan finance experts ‘ace’ historic fiscal year closeout

OSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA

10.01.2020

Story by Staff Sgt. Greg Nash 

51st Fighter Wing

The stressful fall semester final exam period usually approaches in early December, but for one special group of financial experts, their biggest test of the year came sooner — Sept. 30th, during the 2020 end-of-year fiscal closeout.

Responsible for analyzing Department of Defense budgetary tasks at Osan Air Base, these accounting specialists didn’t anxiously cram, but rather proactively intensified their focus and work hours beginning 60 days prior.

Doing this, the 51st Comptroller Squadron’s budget analysis flight (FMA) effectively achieved their goal of properly utilizing funding requirements. Needless to say, these aces passed their annual accounting test, successfully keeping Osan financially ready to “Fight Tonight.”

“The budget analysis flight plays a major, behind-the-scenes role in keeping Osan mission capable and successful,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth D. Leavell, 51st CPTS financial analysis flight chief. “If it takes money to procure it, then it comes across our desks for analysis and certification – including everything from the (installation’s) building and road construction repairs, down to the fuel for the jets and vehicles.”

Maintaining these assets with a watchful financial eye, the FMA worked with base leaders year-round on budgeting plans. Commanders created requirements to execute the mission. Within their budgets they prioritized requirements, purchases needed, and created unfunded requirements which are prioritized by group commanders and approved by the Wing Commander for execution.

The FMA executed their budgetary tactics and game planned for when their grades mattered the most in September by implementing their spending plan and execution plan the March prior.

“Executing our priorities early made it easier for us on 30 September during the end-of-year closeout,” Leavell said. “There were many occasions when we had to extend our work schedule for daily telecoms and video teleconferencing’s. Our biggest items were getting contracts awarded and last minute purchases made for respective organizations.”

Although their proactive plans forecasted success with minimal issues, the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their operations, like many businesses worldwide. The aftermath made the FMA adapt their accounting priorities based on the Wing’s increased needs for laptop usage for teleworking. While these expenses restructured many of their customer’s budgetary outlooks, the FMA was happy to fulfill their client’s biggest request.

“The pandemic forced many individuals to initially work from home without the full laptop capabilities to effectively continue the mission,” Leavell said. “Being able to purchase more laptops to help out across the wing was impressive and satisfying.”

For Leavell, the FMA’s biggest reward was knowing their collective efforts played a critical role in funding everything on base and overcoming the year’s unique challenges.

“This was definitely a team effort to get the books closed for the end-of-year,” said Leavell. “It took constant communication within the budget office itself and also with the resource advisors. Communication between the contracting office and the budget office is extremely important in terms of getting contracts awarded.

“We’re also in constant communication with our Major Command requesting funding, returning funding and balancing accurately,” added Leavell. “So, communication is the key to the success. Every member’s role was critical to the success of closeout.”

• Date Taken: 10.01.2020
• Date Posted: 10.26.2020 07:02
• Story ID: 380292
• Location: OSAN AIR BASE, KR