MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga -- As the 2023 fiscal year came to a close, the 23rd Comptroller Squadron and 23rd Contracting Squadron worked together through the evening hours on Sept. 30, analyzing spreadsheets and crunching numbers.
The end of year closeout is an annual event for CPTS and CONS. The finance office provides funding and ensures the correct amount of money goes toward the proper funds while the contracting office collects the pricing, negotiates and awards contracts with vendors.
“Contracting and finance are like two arms to the body,” said Amanda Grover, 23rd CONS contract specialist and contract officer. “We have to have each other in order to spend the money, we have to have both pieces come together. You need certified funding, and then you also need the contract in place - without that, there is nothing to support one another.”
The U.S. Air Force has requested a budget of approximately $185.1 billion for the fiscal year of 2024, a $5.4 billion increase from the 2023 fiscal year. The two squadrons work relentlessly to ensure the base receives the max amount of support in funds for the upcoming year.
“My team and I work throughout the year to ensure the wing commander's vision and prioritize his wants for the wing in accordance with the (Major Command) and numbered Air Force,” said 1st Lt. Bryan Woo, 23rd CPTS flight commander for financial analysis. “We speak to him regularly to make sure we know his wants and that we are getting after them.”
In September — the final month of the government’s fiscal year — last-minute purchases can make this the busiest time of year for the two squadrons. Woo said there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes leading up to the end-of-year closeout.
“We easily work 10-12 hour days leading up to the EOY closeout,” Woo said. “It becomes frantic in those last hours with people strategically spending to get down to that zero dollar amount. Then on the last day, I had my people on at 10 a.m. and stayed through 3 a.m. the following day.”
Woo said the reason behind the long hours was due to them trying to spend every last penny, and they stayed past midnight because they were waiting for a continuing resolution to be signed. That enabled them to load emergency funds, since it is not a true budget but a temporary budget but allowed the base to continue operating for the new year.
“We start with a soft closeout to try and get to zero before Sept. 29,” said Woo. “We try to beat the mad scramble this way, but it usually happens despite our best efforts.”
Woo wanted to take this time and highlight the efforts of his team and the hard work they put in to accomplish their goal.
“We had really good communication and built relationships throughout the year that helped get us to this point,” he said. “It’s kind of like the Superbowl some say. It takes a lot of work before we get to the big day. I’m grateful to have such a strong team and even better leadership to back us up, from (the comptroller commander to the wing commander).”
Despite some challenges faced throughout the year, both teams executed their mission and stayed on track for a successful closeout.
“Every day, I’m thankful to drive in and work with each of you,” said Maj. Elicia Brown, 23rd CPTS commander. “From our deployed family to stateside, I’m blessed to have you rolling with the Money Tigers for another fiscal year.”