Hard work pays off for Vance accounting office Published Jan. 18, 2007 By TSgt M. Davis Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Hard work and diligence added up to a monetary award of $12,500 for Vance, thanks to the base Accounting Liaison Office who recently won the major command's Wing Commanders Incentive Program. Military installations can save money by paying invoices within a certain time frame, explained 1st Lt Dionne Atkins, Financial Services officer. "Many of the base invoices offer discounts if the bill is paid on time or within a certain amount of time," she said. "Our Accounting Liaison Office works closely with our base Contracting Office and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in San Antonio to ensure we receive the discounts by promptly paying the discounted invoices." AETC tracks how much each base saves and started a quarterly program for base accounting offices to compete against each other. There are three categories bases can compete: Lodging Bednight - $6,250 Best and Most Improved in Interest Penalty Payment Reduction - $5,000 Best and Most Improved in Discounts Taken - $7,500 The accounting and finance office won the two latter categories, as "Best" in command, which brought home cash for Vance. Teamwork between organizations was definitely a player, said Janie Gould, chief of the Accounting Liaison Office. "We made sure we worked out any issues prior to submitting data to DFAS," Ms. Gould said. "We then worked closely with DFAS to ensure everything was processed timely and accurately." This isn't the first win for the accounting team, said Ms. Gould, a retired 20-year career Air Force Master Sergeant. "In 2001, we won the 2001 Financial Services Office of the Year at both AETC and Air Force levels," she said. "Even before the competition for the Wing Commander's Incentive Program, we've always done a great job. The competition gives us something more to strive for." Their win is Team Vance's win, and Ms. Gould is proud of her team's accomplishment. "We continue to improve and excel. This is one more accomplishment from our exceptional team effort."