Comptroller squadrons transitions to leaner operations Published July 13, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Many of the finance customer service and support functions currently offered by comptroller squadrons will be assimilated by the Air Force Financial Services Center located at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., during the next 15 months. The first phase of this evolution begins Oct. 1 when the AFFSC, manned by approximately 500 personnel, assume the responsibility of processing all Air Force military and travel pay documents. "This will be a seamless transition for customers," said Darryl Brooks, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Financial Services Transformation cut over team lead. "This transition is designed to centralize and standardize processes and allow for continuity and stabilization of the FM workforce. "We talked to customers about what we needed and what should be avoided," Mr. Brooks said. "Customers don't care where their paperwork is processed; they just want it processed accurately and timely." During the first phase customer service provided at Spangdahlem and other Air Force bases will not be affected. "Customer service hours will remain the same and the services we offer will remain the same," said Tech. Sgt. Holly Sullivan, 52nd Comptroller Squadron lead defense travel administrator. "The only difference is that documents filled out by our customers will no longer be processed locally, they will be sent to the AFFSC." The second phase which is scheduled for implementation during Oct. 2008 transitions the AFFSC into a contact center as well. The contact center will offer customers 24/7 customer service by phone, web and e-mail. "The stand-up of the contact center will provide instant access to experts around the clock improving overall customer service," Sergeant Sullivan said. The opening of the contact center does not mean there will be no financial customer service available at each base. "There will always be some element of face-to-face service at each base," Mr. Brooks said. As the transition to Phase II approaches, additional customer service information will be made available by the 52nd CPTS. "We will notify base members of upcoming events and important dates through the Spangdahlem Web site, log on slides and the Commander's Access Channel," Sergeant Sullivan said. "We ask that customers be patient with us during this period of transition." To access the AFFSC Web site: From the AF Portal main page, 1. Click on 'Life & Career' 2. Click on 'Money - Finance Central' 3. Then select 'Air Force Financial Services Center (AFFSC)'