Crunching numbers: FY closeout

  • Published
  • By Airman Jordyn Rucker
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The busiest time of year for Misawa Air Base's 35th Contracting and Comptroller Squadrons came to an end during the fiscal year closeout Oct. 1.

The end of fiscal year closeout is a four-month-long operation during which members of the 35 CPTS budget analysis office account for all U.S. government funds allotted to Misawa AB during the present fiscal year.

"In essence it's like balancing a checkbook because we have expenses that accrue over the year and money that needs to be reconciled with what was actually spent," said Senior Airman Jeffrey Winfield, 35 CPTS budget analyst.

Pacific Air Forces may provide extra funds at the end of the year to put toward additional mission requirements. This year, Misawa AB received several million dollars that went toward the top 50 unfunded requirements for the wing.

"Based on a prioritized list from the wing commander, we use the money we get at the end of the year to fund those requirements," Winfield said. "PACAF is monitoring this whole process to make sure the money is allocated and moved around as needed."

A challenging part of the closeout for Winfield is managing all the documentation, which amounts to approximately 150 to 200 documents.

While 35 CPTS may be responsible for the brunt of the work, each of the 35th Fighter Wing's four groups has a resource advisor. These advisors assist the CPTS by helping commanders spend their money appropriately and reconcile funding and documents during closeout.

In addition to the efforts of 35 CPTS, 35 CONS ensures every squadron's funding requirements are met to effectively execute the mission.

"We ensure whatever it is that we purchase will meet the government's needs," said Tech. Sgt. Latoya Mitchell, 35 CONS contracting specialist. "Then we obligate the funds which are then reported to Congress and it's all tracked to see how much money Misawa Air Base spends. We require a lot of support and communication from everybody. It's a joint effort."