News

More than just crunching numbers

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs
The Air Force Audit Agency's operating location at Robins serves as an independent audit function of the Air Force. 

The staff is included among a network of professionals from more than 50 installations worldwide; 28 of those in the U.S. There's a staff of 26 people here, who are responsible for not only contributing to Air Force-wide and local audit assessments, but also audits for all Air Force Reserve Command and National Guard units at bases across Georgia.

But it's more than just crunching numbers.

The staff assists local commanders with making strategic decisions for their organizations through independent assessments and evaluations.  

"We look at programs and processes to improve operations," said Janet Herndon, AFAA Southeast Area Office chief. "We're also looking at operational effectiveness, compliance, efficiency, fiduciary stewardship and financial reporting accuracy. 

"We provide relevant and timely audit services to all levels," she added.

Robins completed 60 audit reports in fiscal 2015 - saving the Air Force more than $300 million - serving multiple clients locally and across the Air Force. 

Examples of audits include equipment, bills of material, medical waste, backorder validations, real property, consumable items, warranties, information technology and aircraft maintenance. 

Processes can include reports on flying hour requirements, security clearances, weapons training, deployment processing, cyber security and pharmacy operations; and programs such as the Air Force fitness and bonus programs, support to civil authorities and pharmacy operations.

"It's a broad spectrum of the types of reviews we perform," she said. "We are looking from an internal control standpoint with any program or process. Not that you've done something wrong, but we look at criteria regarding how a program is supposed to work, and evaluate program processes against the specific criteria, and best business practices within the governing criteria for that program or function." 

The benefit to Robins and other bases the agency serves throughout Georgia is facilitating strategic decisions for the Air Force, and providing commanders operational savings of more than $300 million during the last year alone. 

"We want to protect our Air Force and airmen with accountability, and the way to do that is to make sure Air Force operations are working as intended based on the criteria we have," said Herndon. "We can help give an independent snapshot of how well a particular function is operating."