Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management & Comptroller ) The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management & Comptroller ) ( abbreviated SAF / FM ) is a civilian official in the United States Department of the Air Force . Responsibilities . According to U . S . law , there are four Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force appointed from civilian life by the President of the United States upon the advice and consent of the United States Senate . They assist the United States Secretary of the Air Force and the United States Under Secretary of the Air Force . One of the four assistant secretaries is the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management & Comptroller ) , who is responsible for " the exercise of the comptroller functions of the Department of the Air Force , including financial management functions . " The duties expressly given to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management & Comptroller ) include determining the Department of the Air Force ' s budget estimates ( in conjunction with the Under Secretary of Defense ( Comptroller ) ) , supervising the Department ' s financial management system , and overseeing the department ' s asset management system . The Assistant Secretary is also responsible for developing a five year plan for improving the department ' s financial management , which plan must be updated annually . He or she also must submit an annual report to the Secretary of the Air Force detailing the state of the department ' s financial management . Subordinates . The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management and Comptroller ) is supported by a principal deputy as well as senior leaders responsible for budget , cost and economics , and financial operations . The following are the key positions on the assistant secretary ' s staff . Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller ( SAF / FM ) , a civilian member of the Senior Executive Service Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget ( SAF / FMB ) , a major general Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cost and Economics ( SAF / FMC ) , a civilian member of the Senior Executive Service Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Operations ( SAF / FMP ) , a civilian member of the Senior Executive Service The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management and Comptroller ) also oversees the Air Force Financial Services Center , the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency , and the Financial Management Center of Expertise . List of Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force ( Financial Management & Comptroller ) . The first three appointees served as " Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Management ) " . That office was re - designated as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management and Comptroller ) on 1 August 1954 . The office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management and Comptroller ) was disbanded on 27 March 1987 . At that time , all Air Force financial management functions were consolidated under the " Air Force Comptroller " ( a military position filled by a lieutenant general ) . The office of the Air Force Comptroller was disbanded on 1 July 1989 when the position of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force ( Financial Management and Comptroller ) was re - established . Since that date , all Air Force financial management and comptroller functions have been directed by a presidentially appointed assistant secretary .