Misawa FSO document processing migrates to AFFSC

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  On Feb. 27, Misawa Air Base's Financial Services Office document processing will move to the Air Force Financial Services Center in an effort to meet the needs of an ever-changing Air Force.

This migration kicks-off a new financial services delivery model, which places emphasis on a "more innovative use of technology without sacrificing service to our warfighters," according to Staff Sgt. David Allen, NCO in charge of financial services at Misawa Air Base.

Financial form processing from 139 finance offices worldwide will consolidate into a single operation at the AFFSC, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. All travel documents will be handled through the AFFSC, with military pay services planned for a later date.

Sergeant Allen said that there will be a delay in voucher processing from what the customers are used to, that it will change from the average 3- to 5-day turnaround to a 7- to 10-day turnaround. He added, "Finance will edit all manually-filed travel vouchers to ensure accuracy and completeness of the claim going out to Ellsworth."

For a smooth transition, the Misawa Air Base FSO recommends the following:

- Use existing automated systems such as Defense Travel System, myPay, and LeaveWeb for transactions.

- Remember to claim all of your reimbursable expenses and annotate proper modes of transportation.

- Include copies of all receipts.

- Remember to have two complete sets of orders when you file.

- Have the proper signatures on your travel voucher.

- Indicate the amount you would like disbursed to your Government Travel Card.

- Remember that your unit agency program coordinator is the first place to go for GTC issues - not the AFFSC or local finance office.

- Write clearly and legibly so documents can be easily read.

- Conduct a quality check before you take the documents to your local finance office - the AFFSC rejects 10 to 15 percent of documents because of incorrect or missing basic information, which significantly delay the processing time

- If, for any reason, a claim has not been paid within 10 days for a military pay document or travel voucher, stop by the FSO for assistance.

"Be patient with your FSO as we cut-over the travel pay operation for the base," said Sergeant Allen. "Help your FSO avoid additional delays on your travel claims by providing required signatures, documentations, and submitting your claims within five duty days of return."

Airmen can stay updated on the FSO transition via the Air Force Portal by looking for the AFFSC link in the "Money - Finance Central" option under the "Life & Career" tab. For more information, contact the FSO at 226-9241.