JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
"Convenient and efficient." For most, these words are not typically the first two that come to mind when referring to the finance office. Enter E-Finance.
E-Finance is a Web-based program designed to help members resolve financial matters without having to physically visit finance, "our favorite pastime." E-Finance works in a similar fashion as the Permanent Change of Station In-processing System, used for PCS vouchers.
In addition to travel vouchers, members can pursue matters pertaining to pay and allowances such as adjusting their state of residence for tax purposes, basic allowance for housing, and family separation allowance are some of the more common electronic documents available.
The advantages to the implementation and utilization of E-Finance are numerous. A trip to the finance office is no longer a necessity, eliminating the limitation on submitting documents during business hours and thus one less interruption in the workday or off-day as is often the case.
Utilizing E-Finance is similar to using a setup wizard on the computer, in so far as the member is walked through the entire process in a checklist-like fashion comparable to having a finance technician sitting next to them.
From an environmental perspective, utilizing the Web-based system significantly cuts down on paper usage. A member visiting the office previously needed to submit five to 10 pages for a single travel voucher, causing paper usage to increase rapidly the more members that submit paper vouchers.
With E-Finance, in conjunction with e-mail and the financial services phone system, there are few reasons necessitating a trip to finance. The phone system is a highly effective tool for all members including inquiries pertaining to retired members, as they are the primary contact for retirement pay issues.
While the finance technicians won't physically see the customer, their work doesn't change or stop. The finance technicians still answer the phone for member inquiries, process and respond to email submissions, and process PiPS and E-Finance submissions.
A member must have access to a secure computer with a common access card reader to access the E-Finance system. Accessing E-Finance is as simple as logging on to the Air Force Portal and following the link from there. There is a link on the left side under finance, or it can be accessed using the drop-down menu under finance midway down the page on the right. The Web address for direct access is https://efinanceworkspace.wpafb.af.mil/GovWarning.aspx, and requires a CAC and pin.
The finance office is located in Bldg. 1535 room D-101, and is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays. For more information, e-mail 316customerservi@afncr.af.mil or call 877-PAY-AFDW.