1. Entry-Level Professional Accountant Program
Joe Frischmann
DFAS Indianapolis

2. DFAS Mission
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3. World-class provider of finance and accounting services
Our Vision
World-class provider of finance and accounting services
Trusted, innovative financial partner
Employer of choice, providing progressive and professional work environment
One organization, one identity
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4. Some History on DFAS
DFAS was created in 1991 by the Secretary of Defense to reduce the cost of DoD finance and accounting operations and strengthen DoD financial management through consolidation of DoD finance and accounting services.
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5. Department of Defense Hierarchy
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6. DFAS Hierarchy
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7. Business Line Hierarchy
Accounting
Business Line
Director
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Army
Client Executive
Client Executive
Client Executive
Client Executive
OSD
Defense Agencies
Client Executive
Client Executive
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8. How DFAS Does Business Administration DFAS Customers
Congress
appropriates
funds to DoD
NOTE: None
SLIDE CATEGORY: Corporate Slide
RECOMMENDED TIME: 2-3 minutes
KEY POINTS:
DFAS is part of the DoD and Federal Government.
“Competition and accountability” are a good thing.
In the past, Government agencies were funded by Appropriated Funds issued by Congress
Now, Working Capital Fund (WCF) operations.
WCF is similar to free enterprise where customer pay for services.
Customers have limited funds and are looking for best value; therefore, Government needs a method for creating competition.
Our process for competitive sourcing is called A76.
All Government have been directed to look at their business and identify those areas that can be competed. In DFAS, 82% could be performed by non-government organizations. Overtime, all areas will be competed.
Private industry wants DFAS’ role so we must be competitive.
Best Value wins - Sometimes Govt. wins, sometimes contractor wins.
Why is this important - every dollar saved by DFAS is a dollar that can be used to better equip our Warfighters.
FORMAL SCRIPT:
As you are well aware, DFAS is a part of the DoD and the larger Federal Government.
Each of us from the President, to the Congress, down to us as individual taxpayers want - actually insist - that our Federal Government work effectively and efficiently while being accountable for how it spends our money.
In the past, Government agencies were funded by Appropriated Funds issued by Congress.
However, in recent times, some have transitioned to be funded by a mechanism called a Working Capital Fund operation. WCF for short.
WCF operations, like DFAS, must earn their revenue via payments directly from their customers as is typically done in free enterprise.
Our customers have limited funds and other resources and are actively searching for best value when acquiring goods and services.
Every extra dollar our customer spends on DFAS to process finance & accounting transactions is a dollar that is taken away from their primary job, to defend America.
In order to provide the best value, the Government needs a way to evaluate its competitiveness. The Federal Government’s method of competitive sourcing is known as A76.
The entire Federal Government has been directed to review its business and to identify those areas that can be competed.
Following this review, it was determined that in DFAS, 82% of our function could be performed by non-government organizations. As a result, most areas will be competed and private industry wants your job.
When organizations compete, Best Value wins. This is also important because every dollar saved by DFAS is a dollar that can be used to better equip our Warfighters.
Our customers want best value services
The administration wants competition and accountability in all government operations
We provide services to customers
Customers pay for our services
Every dollar saved by DFAS is a dollar that can be used to better equip our warfighters
DFAS
Since our creation, we have operated as a Working Capital Fund
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N0009_T01_V02_D18_M12_Y02

9. World’s largest finance and accounting operation - 16,000 employees
DFAS is Big Business
World’s largest finance and accounting operation ,000 employees
Service 5.7 million military members, military retirees and annuitants, and DoD civilians
Manage 267 active DoD Appropriations worth $517B
Manage a $176B Retirement Trust Fund
$346.6 billion in disbursements annually
Process 11.2 million commercial invoices
7.3 million travel payments and settlements
124 million accounting transactions annually
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10. DFAS Sites Limestone Rome Cleveland Columbus Indianapolis Headquarters
Rock Island
Omaha
Columbus
Indianapolis
Headquarters
Oakland
Denver
Dayton
Kansas City
Seaside
St Louis
Lexington
Norfolk
San Bernardino
Lawton
Charleston
San Diego
Minor Sites
Orlando
Honolulu
San Antonio
Pensacola
Major Sites
DFAS HQ
Europe
Japan
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11. Accounting Responsibilities
Prepare financial statements
Define accounting requirements
Provide accounting and financial advice
Perform disbursing (paying and collecting) activities
Perform cash reporting
Perform funds control/budgetary accounting
Perform property/plant/equipment accounting
Perform payroll accounting
Perform cost accounting
Maintain and administer accounting systems
Maintain general ledger
Maintain accounts receivable
Maintain accounts payable
Record inventory values
Perform reconciliations
Perform data integrity analysis
Develop, produce, and analyze accounting reports
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12. Government vs. Public/Private Business
OBJECTIVES
Acquiring and
spending
resources legally
and appropriately
Seeking to
increase or even
maintain capital
CONTROLS
Use of statutory,
fund and
budgetary
controls
Presence of
supply, demand
and profit devices
Government
Businesses
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13. Comparison Matrix
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14. Entry-Level Professional Accountant
Typical Professional Career Path
Approximately 80% of the workforce are at the professional or journey levels.
Salary structures are based on grade, length of time in a grade, and location.
Employees become qualified for higher level positions through a combination of education, training, and experience.
Executive
Management
Professional
Journey
Entry
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15. Candidate Requirements
Completion of Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or business-related degree with 24 semester credit hours of accounting coursework
Targeting candidates with evidence of strong academic achievement
Demonstrated record for success
Strong leadership potential
Professional demeanor
Interpersonal skills
Match our Core Values
Integrity, Innovation, Service
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16. Professional development Flexible work schedules
What’s in it for you?
Valuable experience
Competitive salary
Career opportunities
Professional development
Flexible work schedules
Comprehensive benefits:
Health and life insurance
401k with matching funds
Ten paid holidays
Paid sick days
Contribute to accomplishing an important mission… perform interesting work in interesting times
Evaluate the federal government and DoD as a potential employer after graduation
Flexible starting and ending dates for internships (ABL)
Salary: GS-4 ($11.11); GS-5 ($12.43)
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17. Three-Year ELPA Program
Years One and Two
Four six-month rotations (examples)
Disbursing
Systems
Accounting
Internal Review
Year Three
On-the-job training
Two (or more) short rotations with other business lines (e.g., vendor, travel, or military pay)
Ongoing throughout program
Classes
Special projects
Site/customer visit
Leadership/networking conferences
Meetings with senior managers
Professional association luncheons
Topical briefings
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18. Professional Associations
AGA Association of Government Accountants
Mission: To serve professionals in the government financial management community by providing quality education, fostering professional development and certification and supporting standards and research to advance government accountability.
ASMC American Society of Military Comptrollers
Mission: To promote education, training and professional development in all aspects of military comptrollership.
Also: B.I.G., N.A.F.E./W.I.N., and more.
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19. Professional Associations
Benefits include:
Networking
Staying current on your profession’s topics
Practice leadership in non-threatening environment
Professional development
National PDCs (from which you can earn CPEs)
You decide on your % of participation
Early career minimal costs
A great way to guide your career with assistance from experienced leaders.
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20. Opportunities for You Internships
Work with experienced accountants
Group research project with final briefing and recommendations
Topical briefings by senior managers
Networking opportunities, initiative-based projects, training opportunities, social activities
In the next five years, a large percentage of the workforce is eligible for early or regular retirement.
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21. DFAS Developmental Programs’ Awards
Indiana Internnet (State’s largest intern source) awarded DFAS an Award of Excellence (2nd tier award) for its first summer intern program
Indiana Internnet awarded DFAS the Best of the Best Award (top award) for its second summer intern program
Association of Government Accountants (AGA) awarded DFAS the AGA Educator of the Year for its Developmental Programs which included:
Entry Level Professional Accountant Program
Developmental Professional Accountant Program.
College Intern Program
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22. Maybe we don’t get thanked everyday, but . . .
…but we are committed to providing world-class service at a reduced cost to the military members and their families.
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23. Your Financial Partner @ Work
DFAS
Your Financial Work