FM Center of Expertise celebrates first anniversary Published March 29, 2007 WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- Last April, after 15 months of studies, surveys, and hard work, the Air Force Financial Management Center of Expertise, or FM CoE, opened its doors and introduced a single stopping point for cost analysis decision support for commanders and senior leaders. "The mission of the FM CoE is to provide timely, on-demand, specialized financial analysis for decision support to commanders at the installation level and to senior leaders at major commands," said Lt. Col. Robert Bickel, center director. "With fewer than a dozen people, we have completed a number of diverse, detailed studies on joint family housing, facility comparisons, runway closure cost modeling, disaster pre- and post-strike modeling, and cost estimates for conversion and transfer of an active base, among others," Colonel Bickel said. Though the unit is manned at less than 25 percent of its authorized level, its work has already saved the Air Force nearly $2 million over the past year. The savings will continue to climb, as there are more than 20 projects awaiting action. The center was created in response to the current and proposed Air Force personnel and budget reductions. A major component of the financial management transformation effort, the CoE is essential to the transition from a transaction-based financial management career field to one of a major decision support provider. "The center is one example of a larger FM-wide transformation," said Roger Bick, director, Air Force Financial Management Strategic Planning and Transformation Program Management Office. "We're moving FM from a career field that waited on customers with pay or travel (requirements) to a career field that uses the unique skills and capabilities of financial analysis to help commanders and senior leaders make wise decisions on how to spend taxpayer's money." The CoE provides a full spectrum of services, ranging from advice and training to content reviews; benchmarking and best practices; developing standard analysis tools and templates; and providing on-site consultants who'll assist with data collection and validation, perform the analysis, and generate a final report. Best of all, these services are provided at no cost to the customer. For more information on the Center of Expertise, contact the CoE at Fm.coe@buckley.af.mil or on the web at https://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/coe/. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page