Amber Armstrong
Summary
Seasoned financial services director with a 20-year proven track record in the United States Air Force. Skilled in operational efficiency, customer service, compliance, and technical advice. Recognized for expertise in data analysis, decision support, and change management. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills facilitate seamless collaboration with diverse teams. Driven by a passion for innovation and excellence, consistently delivering solutions that optimize operational efficiency and ensure precision.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Financial Services
United States Air Force Reserve
06.2024 - Current
- Leads financial management operations for a 9-person team, delivering expert financial guidance, exceptional customer service, and comprehensive knowledge of military pay, travel entitlements, and civilian payroll for 2,000 members.
- Briefs senior leadership on organizational metrics, ensuring alignment with schedules and successful achievement of targets.
- Audits financial execution, analyzes variances, and prepares narrative justifications to support financial requirements and ensure audit compliance.
- Plans and delivers group and one-on-one training to enhance employees' job skills and efficiency, ensuring that performance metrics are consistently met or exceeded.
- Established strong relationships with key clients, securing their trust and loyalty to the company''s services.
- Fostered a positive work environment that promoted open communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement among cross-functional team members.
- Oversees organizational communications, including email management, employee rosters, drafting evaluation reports, referrals, awards, and decorations to ensure optimal organizational performance and recognition.
Financial Management Specialist
United States Air Force, USAF
10.2022 - 03.2025
- Lead Financial Management (FM) subject matter expert (SME) driving the design and development of the $49B Department of the Air Force (DAF) Acquisition, Air Force Personnel and Pay System (AFIPPS), ensuring the accuracy of accounting and payroll data for 650K members.
- Remotely directs a cross-functional team of 23 members through payroll reconciliation testing, analyzing data and identifying root causes through critical thinking skills.
- Identifies root causes and develops PowerPoint presentations to document the design change process; briefs senior leadership, achieving a 100% pass rate, and ensures continuous adaptation and improvement through an agile framework.
- Leverages analytical problem-solving skills to recommend corrective actions for complex issues impacting design, development, procedures, and policy, while providing expert technical advice on DoD legislation, financial policy, and ensuring compliance at all levels.
- Coordinates, plans, and executes briefings at all levels including peers, external/internal stakeholders, and senior leadership to ensure objectives, timelines, and priorities are being met.
- Proficient working and navigating multiple software platforms including COBOL and Oracle systems, JIRA, CONFLUENCE, DJMS, OBIEE, ENVISION, Microsoft Office, as well as using customer relations software.
Senior Financial Services Manager
United States Air Force Reserve
09.2022 - 06.2024
- Managed daily financial management operations for a 22-person team, overseeing the delivery of financial expertise, customer service, and comprehensive knowledge of military pay, travel entitlements, and civilian payroll for 13,000 members.
- Analyzed accounting reports and financial data to assess trends and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of Air Force financial operations.
- Led annual reconciliation reports, collaborating with multiple agencies to audit member records and resolve 100% of organizational discrepancies, successfully recovering $26K in housing allowance.
- Applied financial management decision support techniques to provide strategic financial guidance and advice to senior leadership across all levels.
- Selected from 8,000 individual reservists to serve on the Air Force Individual Reserve Advisory Council, where she briefed HQ RIO leadership on program-wide issues and identified critical communication gaps.
- Led the creation and delivery of weekly briefings to peers and senior leadership, highlighting current tasks, key performance indicators (KPIs), risks, and proposed solutions.
Financial Services Manager
United States Air Force Reserve
07.2017 - 09.2022
- Oversaw daily department operations by leading a team of 6, delegating tasks, and addressing both routine and complex issues to ensure smooth workflow and effective problem resolution.
- Managed the Defense Travel System overdue debt program for 12,000 personnel. Collaborated with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to successfully collect 57 out-of-service debts, reallocating $52K back to the U.S. Treasury.
- Optimized financial reporting processes, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Reviewed and validated submitted financial documentation to ensure compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
- Security Program Manager for Headquarters Air Force, overseeing the onboarding process for new employees and facilitating timely security clearance upgrades, resulting in a 50% increase in efficiency.
Financial Management Supervisor
United States Air Force Reserve
07.2013 - 07.2017
- Utilizes the Defense Joint Military Pay System (DJMS) and Financial Management Workflow to address customer service and pay inquiries. Audits and reviews travel vouchers daily, processes pay entitlement transactions, and manages Customer Service operations.
- Supervises the completion of over 54,000 financial transactions annually, totaling $6.9 million.
- Led efforts to improve customer satisfaction by ensuring timely responses to inquiries, addressing concerns, and guiding the team in delivering effective solutions.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing streamlined workflows and establishing clear expectations for staff performance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH12-2019
Associate of Science - Public Administration
Community College of The Air Force
Montgomery, AL12-2017
Skills
- Data analytics
- Audit management
- Customer relationship building
- Problem-solving
- Effective communication
- Operational efficiency
- Strategic planning and execution
- Quality assurance
Accomplishments
- Air Force Reserve Command, Financial Management Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year – 2024
- Headquarters Air Force, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter – 1st Quarter 2023
- General Larry Spencer Innovation Award - 2022
Certification
- Security Clearance: ACTIVE
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) - Scrum Alliance
- Financial Management Level 1 & 2 Certification
Timeline
Director of Financial Services
United States Air Force Reserve
06.2024 - Current
Financial Management Specialist
United States Air Force, USAF
10.2022 - 03.2025
Senior Financial Services Manager
United States Air Force Reserve
09.2022 - 06.2024
Financial Services Manager
United States Air Force Reserve
07.2017 - 09.2022
Financial Management Supervisor
United States Air Force Reserve
07.2013 - 07.2017
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of New Hampshire
Associate of Science - Public Administration
Community College of The Air Force
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