KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- More than 200 members from Keesler Air Force Base kicked off the end-of-year close out Oct. 1.
During the close out, participants from the 81st Comptroller Squadron financial management analysis office, 81st Contracting Squadron, 81st Civil Engineer Squadron, 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 81st Communications Squadron ensured funds were ready for operational needs and that all of the financial obligations were recorded and valid by Sept. 30 so no Keesler funds were lost.
“There are two objectives in the closeout process,” said Tech. Sgt. Travis Spencer, 81st CPTS financial analysis section chief. “The first objective is to ensure the most effective use of available funds for operational needs. The second objective is to ensure that all obligations recorded by Sept. 30 are valid so that no funds will be lost from cancellations or reductions in succeeding months. All base activities controlling and utilizing appropriated funds are responsible for ensuring the validity of obligations.”
Members working the event keep track of funds daily to prepare for the end of year close out.
“Overall, we prepare for closeout by validating what requirements are needed to perform the mission,” said Gina Saldana-Davis, 81st CPTS financial management budget analyst. “On a more technical level, daily we validate our fund status and accounting records to make sure that our programs are on track for being obligated by the end of Sept. 30. Guidance is received from Air Education and Training command and Defense Finance and Accounting Services on their requirements and expectations for close out and weekly meetings are held with all wing, group and squadron parties involved to ensure suspenses are met and pass on any additional information.”
During the event, members worked around the clock to be proactive in cleaning up financial records to ensure Keesler members can take advantage of any additional funds before expiration, Spencer explained.
Maintaining budget and readiness requirements when funds are available enables Keesler to be more likely to get approval for future funds from AETC.
“Closeout affects Keesler members by affecting the appropriated funds that these members use on a day-to-day basis for operations and maintenance of the installation,” said Spencer. “Whether its securing funds for travel for critical TDYs needed to perform the mission or executing food service contracts, air field management, multimedia and other contracts needed to sustain operations, it affects each and every member in some way shape or form.”