9th CPTS: Closing the fiscal year
By Senior Airman Justin Parsons, 9th Reconnaissance Wing
/ Published October 24, 2018
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 9th Reconnaissance Wing receives a yearly budget that is allocated to and used by the groups and squadrons under its command to enable them to successfully execute the mission. However, at the end of each fiscal year it’s the responsibility of a few Airmen to ensure that the wing’s accounts are accurate and ready for the new yearly budget.
Two weeks prior to the close of the fiscal year, budget analysis Airmen at the 9th Comptroller Squadron work to ensure that unit funds are accounted for and executed according to regulations so they can close the books.
“It’s the culmination of all our work throughout the year, it’s the end of the fiscal year for the government,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Camp, 9th CPTS budget analysis. “We go through the process of closing the accounting books for the current budget and moving on to the next.”
Airmen maintain and create spending documents as well as monitor transactions of the wing's nearly $200 million budget. Spending is reserved for units to meet mission requirements and can include a variety of uses such as supplies and sending Airmen on missions.
Members are responsible for overseeing accounts for individual groups, their squadrons and working with the resource managers that work there.
“We get assigned sections that overlook individual groups and their squadrons. Funding not spent by units by the end of the budget year gets withdrawn into a pool and used to increase the quality of life for base members," said Camp.
“If units haven’t spent their allocated budget we take those funds and use them towards the wing commander's priorities,” said Camp. “For example, the new turf field that was installed on base.”
The last few weeks of the fiscal year put a lot of pressure on the shop as their tempo increases, requiring them to come together to get the job done before submitting for close out.
“It's definitely the most stressful time of the year, having our timelines condensed and working 12 hour plus days,” said Camp. “We definitely have pride in the work we do.”