Crunch time

  • Published
  • By Mike Molina
  • ARPC Public Affairs
DENVER --  It's Friday - the day of exhale for most. But for some employees at the Air Reserve Personnel Center, today is the middle of a hectic week. 

ARPC's financial management employees are conducting the "end-of-year closeout" and closing the books on fiscal 2007, which ends Sept. 30. 

"We'll be here this weekend," said Gary Taylor, ARPC's Financial Management director. "Every September, we have to close out our books." 

The end-of-year closeout is important because money that ARPC receives for its annual budget must be spent and accounted for when the end of the fiscal year comes. Money that isn't spent can mean ARPC receives less to operate in the future, and accountability is required for every dollar spent. 

"Our sole purpose is to meet the needs of ARPC's mission," Mr. Taylor said. "We don't want money falling out." 

The rush-up to the final days of the fiscal year can be chaotic as purchasers spend remaining money and FM employees need to account for the transactions. 

"You have to know every single thing that's going on with every account," said Glenna DiModugno, chief of FM's financial analysis division. "It's stressful, but I love my job. I love watching it all come together." 

The closeout includes balancing the center's budget, tallying receipts and tracking every purchase. 

"People don't always understand what goes on behind the scenes and what we need to do to keep this place running," Mr. Taylor said. "If we don't pay the bill, they shut the lights off." 

When the clock strikes midnight, the FM staff will ring in the new fiscal year and begin another year's work ensuring ARPC stays on budget.

"We'll be back here Monday morning, bright and early," Mr. Taylor said.