Controller Operations Division:  Who We Are

The Controller Operations Division (COD) is comprised of seven branches, each with a dedicated staff to accomplish its mission.  The functions of each branch are described below:

Accounting Processing Branch  (ACPRB)

·         Performs a reconciliation of transactions processed through the feeder systems to FFIS

·         Controls the running of the FFIS cycle processes for 17 USDA agencies

·         Produces and reconciles 1099s for vendor payments

·         Processes transactions for the Agricultural Research Service under the terms of a reimbursable agreement

Administrative Payments Branch (APB)

·         Provides operational and customer support for the administrative payments systems

·         Maintains control over all transactions processed

·         Provides 100% computerized editing/auditing

·         Utilizes statistical sampling of transactions for audit purposes and error analysis

·         Performs automated follow-up on transactions as needed

·         Tracks and monitors agency travel

·         Provides management and accounting information

·         Manages the Tier 1 Customer Resolution Center Online Help Desk, which provides agency Functional Administrators with assistance in resolving FFIS, FMMI, CPAIS, and other system-related issues

Cash Reconciliation Branch (CRB)

·         Submits the FMS-224, Statement of Transactions, to the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) monthly

·         Reconciles the FMS-6652, Statement of Differences

·         Prepares the FMS-6653, Undisbursed Appropriation Account Ledger/Receipt Account by Agency and Treasury Symbol

Customer Support Branch (CSB)

·         Conducts and/or coordinates training and orientation sessions

·         Coordinates visits and video/teleconferencing

·         Develops online procedure manuals and bulletins

·         Provides financial information reporting and documentation to USDA management

·         Responds to technical/non-technical inquiries

Financial Reporting Branch (FRB)

·         Prepares financial statements and accounting reports, including but not limited to Federal Agencies’ Centralized Trial Balance System (FACTS) I and II and Treasury Report on Receivables (TROR), etc. required by the Department of the Treasury, Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other user agencies.

·         Reviews and updates the various Financial Statements Data Warehouse FSDW II tables as they relate to the creation of Consolidated Financial Statements and FACTS I and II

Intragovernmental Payment and Collection (IPAC) Control Branch (ICB)

·         Processes IPAC payments and collections for USDA agencies

·         Services 18 separate USDA Agency Location Codes (ALCs)

·         Maintains accurate IPAC suspense balances in the General Ledger (GL)

·         Certifies administrative payments accurately and timely

Property Accounting Branch (PAB)

·         Reconciles over $5 billion recorded USDA assets to the FFIS General Ledger monthly

·         Provides guidance on property system procedures, policy, and property management accounting reconciliation

·         Ensures compliance with USDA capitalization thresholds

·         Assists agencies with correcting property reconciliation adjustments and differences

Customer Services

COD is continually striving to provide the best possible customer service and support, such as: 

·         Daily support to customers with inquiries on system software products operated by COD

·         Responding to customer inquiries within 24 hours of receipt with an acknowledgement, resolution, or status

·         Customer service activities such as: creating and publishing informational materials, coordinating and hosting OCFO-COD orientation sessions, and conducting system demonstrations to introduce customers to new systems and/or system enhancements

·         Upon request, conducting business analyses of administrative and accounting system operations to recommend efficiencies and improvements to the business process

·         Providing online user procedure manuals

Commitment to Quality

Clear and timely communication between our customers and COD is essential to a successful working relationship.  It is understood that all parties will acknowledge all requests for information or assistance within the goal of 24 hours or next business day after receipt of the request.  Acknowledged issues/problems will be addressed and resolved within the timeframe appropriate to the request or function and will be in keeping with Departmental guidelines, established OCFO-COD due dates, and laws and regulations governing the activity.  It is an OCFO-COD goal to perform all tasks in a timely manner as appropriate to meet applicable deadlines.

Results
In fiscal year 2002, the improved internal control and data integrity resulted in the first unqualified (“clean”) audit opinion for USDA on a consolidated basis.

Who to Contact for Support and Service

For information regarding support and service, contact us at:

USDA, OCFO, ACFO-FO-COD

ATTN:  CSB

P.O. Box 60000

New Orleans, LA  70160

504-426-5471

504-426-9782 (Fax)

Email:  cod.support@usda.gov  

Our Invitation To You
We invite you to visit with COD managers in New Orleans.  We will be happy to discuss our services and your unique needs.  Please contact:

USDA, OCFO, ACFO-FO

Controller Operations Division

ATTN:  Angelique Dyer

P.O. Box 60000
New Orleans, LA   70160

(504) 426-5003
(504) 426-9782 (Fax)
E-mail: angelique.dyer@usda.gov