New 'virtual Finance' available now, full capabilities for Moody in 2011 Published Aug. 2, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- (Editor's note: This story has been localized by the 23rd Wing Public Affairs office. The original story can be found at http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123212820.) The Air Force's new "virtual Finance" is giving work time back to Airmen and civilians by providing a host of secure financial services that customers can access with a mouse click. Replacing the "Money - Finance Central" page on the Air Force Portal, the virtual finance page was developed with a customer's time in mind. The page brings Air Force finance customers some online capabilities commercial financial institutions provide their clients. "This redesigned page greatly enhances finance 'do-it-yourself' capabilities, making the Web and online assistance your initial resource to obtain financial help," said Dr. Jamie Morin, the assistant secretary for financial management and comptroller. Although Moody members have access to the new page, they will not be able to utilize the online capabilities until Jan. 27, 2011. "Because Air Combat Command has not yet crossed over to the online system, Moody members are still required to come to the finance office in person," said Maj. David Reuss, 23rd Comptroller Squadron commander. "However, when the change does happen, most of our customers' needs can be met online and through calling the consolidated finance center." The consolidated finance center is located at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and is the location individuals may call if they still have questions after trying to submit any forms or vouchers online. "The online process is designed to be as easy as possible," said Major Reuss. "Customers are asked a series of questions. Those answers are used to automatically populate a form and then submit it. "Because of this, there aren't any rejected forms or waiting 30 days for pay to change," he added. "However, if they have questions, they can call the center." A specific phone number to call will be provided once the changes take place next year. For issues which cannot be resolved through the virtual finance page, customers can use a look-up tool which gives them a telephone number to call, as well as an e-mail address to their local financial services office. While click and call are the first steps in tackling finance issues, Airmen can still walk to their local financial services office and receive quality customer service, Dr. Morin added. The "click, call, walk" vision empowers finance customers to access more information and applications which previously required a finance office visit to be accomplished. "The Air Force has a long tradition of taking care of its people, and we intend to continue this tradition," Dr. Morin said. The virtual finance page, located under the portal's "Life and Career" tab, should not be confused with myPay, which is also located on Air Force Portal. Virtual finance provides enhanced financial information, bringing together financial services information and self-help applications in one place for customers on the secure Air Force Portal. Customers can get help with everything from travel pay and moving allowances, to in-processing, retirement and separation. Direct links to popular sites such as myPay, LeaveWeb and the Citi government travel card website, and tools such as deployment entitlement and permanent change of station entitlement calculators are also available. Air Force finance officials also recently expanded their virtual knowledge library, with almost 1,000 categorized frequently asked questions, as well as more than 100 "instant advice" pages available. "In the finance career field, feedback is always extremely important," said Major Reuss. "We are not able to fix a specific problem or a slow process unless people let us know what is and is not working for them." To improve online finance services, suggestions are always welcome at finance.questions@arpc.denver.af.mil.