ASA (FM&C) 2021 Year in Review

In 2021, the Army Finance and Comptroller community tackled new challenges with increased resilience and adaptability. From welcoming new leaders and saying goodbye to others, to re-activating Finance Battalions and preparing the workforce for important milestone events, 2021 was a year of growth.

Here are just a few of the highlights from the perspective of the Office of the ASA (FM&C):

OASA (FM&C) welcomes new leaders, and bids farewell to several others

The Honorable Caral E. Spangler was sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) on August 17, 2021.

Ms. Spangler brings over 39-years of government service to the role, serving as a career member of the Senior Executive Service in every military service and the Pentagon comptroller's office.

OASA (FM&C) also welcomed Lt. Gen. Paul A. Chamberlain as the new Military Deputy, ASA (FM&C) and Maj. Gen. Mark S. Bennett as the Director of Army Budget. Chamberlain previously served as the DAB, while Bennett joined OASA (FM&C) after serving as the Commander of the U.S. Army Financial Management Command.

1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Paul A. Chamberlain assumed the duties as the Military Deputy to the ASA(FM&C) on 03 August 2021.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Mark S. Bennett became the thirty-second Director of Army Budget in the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller ASA(FM&C) on 3 August 2021. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

During the summer, Lt. Gen. Thomas Horlander, who had most recently served as the Military Deputy, retired. His legacy of transformation for the Finance and Comptroller profession, with his vision for new core competencies, emphasis on data analytics, and support for the return of Finance Battalions, was captured in his retirement article.

U.S. Army Gen. James C. McConville presents the Distinguished Service Medal to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Thomas A. Horlander during a retirement ceremony at Lincoln Hall, Ft. McNair in Washington, D.C., June 23, 2021.
(Photo Credit: Joseph Lawson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Mr. Wesley Miller, another key leader within OASA (FM&C), retired at the end of 2021. Miller served 50 years of cumulative service between active duty service and his career as a civilian. He was instrumental in the Army’s audit efforts and a champion of workforce development. His most senior positions include serving as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the ASA (FM&C), and Principal Deputy.

A retirement ceremony is held in honor of Mr. Wesley C. Miller at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Oct 16, 2021. The ceremony was hosted by Mr. Robert M. Speer, Former Acting Secretary of the Army. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. XaViera Masline) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Within the Finance and Comptroller enterprise, COL Paige Jennings assumed command of the U.S. Army Financial Management Command.

Gen. Edward M. Daly, U.S. Army Materiel Command commanding general, passes the U.S. Army Financial Management Command colors to Col. Paige M. Jennings as she assumes command of USAFMCOM during a ceremony at the Maj. Gen. Emmett J. Bean Federal... — Gen. Edward M. Daly, U.S. Army Materiel Command commanding general, passes the U.S. Army Financial Management Command colors to Col. Paige M. Jennings as she assumes command of USAFMCOM during a ceremony at the Maj. Gen. Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis July 15, 2021. Also pictured is Barry Hoffman, USAFMCOM deputy to the commander, who temporarily led the command as its executive director until Jennings could assume command. (U.S. Army photo by Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner) (Mark Orders-Woempner) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Army FC Profession Series features 50th guest

Celebrating Women in the Finance Corps.

In 2020, OASA (FM&C) launched the Army Finance and Comptroller Profession Series with the mission to equip Army FC Soldiers and Civilians alike with unique insight and advice.

Sgt. 1st Class Sahib Singh, host of the profession series and a resource manager for Army Futures Command, has interviewed nearly every OASA (FM&C) leader, from Lt. Gen. Paul Chamberlain and Maj. Gen. Mark Bennett, to finance leaders across the enterprise, including the Finance and Comptroller School's Sergeant Major.

In 2021, the series featured Women in Army Finance, Civilians across the Force, and an Ask Your G8 campaign. In 2022, the Army FC Profession Series will continue to feature Soldiers and Civilians working together across the enterprise in a variety of financial operations and comptroller roles.

(Photo Credit: O'Neill, Emily L CIV HQDA ASA FMC) VIEW ORIGINAL

Finance Battalions are back

In May, after more than a decade-long hiatus, the 82nd Sustainment Brigade re-activated their Finance Battalion.

This was a historic event for the Finance and Comptroller branch, and more battalion activations are scheduled in 2022.

Diamond Saber trains Finance and Comptroller professionals

Master Sgt. Eva Miranda, U.S. Army Financial Management Command Operational Support Team senior financial management systems instructor, helps Soldiers use financial management tactical platforms, or FMTPs, during Diamond Saber at Fort McCoy,... — Master Sgt. Eva Miranda, U.S. Army Financial Management Command Operational Support Team senior financial management systems instructor, helps Soldiers use financial management tactical platforms, or FMTPs, during Diamond Saber at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 14, 2021. Diamond Saber is a U.S. Army Reserve-led exercise that incorporates participation from all components and joint services, and it prepares finance and comptroller Soldiers on the warfighting functions of funding the force, payment support, disbursing operations, accounting, fiscal stewardship, auditability and data analytics. (U.S. Army photo by Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner) (Photo Credit: Waylon Vinson) VIEW ORIGINAL

Diamond Saber, a U.S. Army Reserve-led exercise that prepares finance and comptroller Soldiers on warfighting functions, was held at Fort McCoy from Aug. 8-20. In total, Diamond Saber had more than 480 Soldiers taking part in the exercise.

USAFMCOM holds mock year-end close training

From left to right, Spencer Powell, Joyce Dean, Eddra Peoples, Cynthia Price and Scott Ferge, U.S. Army Financial Management Command systems accountants, talk through a problem during the Army’s mock fiscal yearend closeout at the Maj. Gen.... — From left to right, Spencer Powell, Joyce Dean, Eddra Peoples, Cynthia Price and Scott Ferge, U.S. Army Financial Management Command systems accountants, talk through a problem during the Army’s mock fiscal yearend closeout at the Maj. Gen. Emmett J. Bean Federal Center July 19. Mock yearend is an exercise designed to prepare USAFMCOM and its partners for the fiscal yearend closeout and financial statement preparation at the start of October. (U.S. Army photo by Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner) (Photo Credit: Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner) VIEW ORIGINAL

More than 125 Department of Defense personnel, led by the U.S. Army Financial Management Command’s Army Financial Services directorate, came together from around the country for the Army’s mock fiscal yearend closeout back in July.

Army releases FY22 budget

The Army released the FY22 budget, continuing to support its focus on people, readiness, and modernization.

FY21 Successful Year-end Close

By Oct. 1, the Army successfully closed out Fiscal Year 2021. Finance and Comptroller professionals across the field prepared their organizations well, and remained adaptable in order to complete this large effort virtually for the second year in a row.

Army completes fourth annual Audit

As required by law, the Army conducted its fourth annual audit of the financial statements for its General Fund and Working Capital Fund. The Army continues to make tangible audit progress, demonstrating improved accountability of property, and Soldier and Civilian pay and benefits.

The full financial report can be viewed here.