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62nd Comptroller Squadron: Keeping track of your money

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Leah Young
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Members of Team McChord work hard for their money. Money keeps the various missions in people's homes flowing smoothly. The Airmen of the 62nd Comptroller Squadron do the same thing for Team McChord's daily activities by managing the money that funds the mission.

The 62nd CPTS offers world-class financial services and analyses for world-class mobility warriors.

"Our squadron is responsible for all accountability and credibility of financial management," said Jessica Smith, 62nd CPTS chief of budget.

The 62nd CPTS is broken down into two different sections, financial services and budget and accounting.

"Our job is to make sure the appropriate people get their appropriate amount of money," said Ms. Smith. "Also, to ensure they don't overspend or unnecessarily spend."

The budget and accounting department's responsibility is to ensure bills are paid in a timely manner, monitor the government purchase card system, advise the commander on financial decisions and provide funds to squadron and group commanders to meet their mission requirements.

"We receive an annual financial distribution from headquarters," said Ms. Smith. "We account for that funding and then distribute it between the groups and squadrons at McChord Field. Without that, nobody would be able to complete the mission."

In order to effectively fund the many organizations at McChord Field, the 62nd CPTS establishes an Airman in each section to act as their squadron or group resource advisor.

"The resource advisor is the liaison between the comptroller squadron and the commander," said Ms. Smith. "We work with them instead of the commander directly. It's their job to advise the commander on financial issues."

While the accounting and budget section deals with large scale issues, the financial services office handles individual customer service needs.

"The budget and accounting section is unit focused, while the financial services office is member focused," said 2nd Lt. Gregory Stewart, 62nd CPTS financial services officer. "We deal more with individual, direct customer assistance."

The financial services office helps customers with issues concerning travel vouchers, military pay, retiree pay, civilian payroll, debts, state of residence, dependency status and more.

"Our customer base extends farther than active duty Airmen," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Pence, 62nd CPTS travel section chief. "We also assist retirees, Reserve Airmen and Department of Defense civilians."

The implementations of online financial services, such as eFinance, MyPay and the Defense Travel System, have helped the financial services office better tend to customer needs.

"All the new financial online systems were designed in the Air Force at a higher level and then pushed outward to the customer," said Sergeant Pence. "We are here to provide support and we teach customers how to navigate through the systems. We make it a point to personally help everyone in any way we can."

All Airmen assigned to the 62nd CPTS are dedicated to providing excellent financial service to Team McChord.

"It is our personal responsibility to help each and every customer to the best of our ability," said Lieutenant Stewart.

According to Airman 1st Class Peter Loyd-Vuolo, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician, the 62nd CPTS has always demonstrated world-class customer service.

"I recently got married, so I've been to the office a few times with pay changes," said Airman Loyd-Vuolo. "Every time I've had a problem, they're always friendly and willing to help me solve it."

For financial assistance or questions about eFinance, please contact the 62nd CPTS at 62cptshelp@mcchord.af.mil.

The 62nd CPTS financial services office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except holidays. If you have a financial emergency, please call (253) 678-1952.