DFAS Post Pay Review & Analysis

Tisha Braun, DFAS Post Pay Review & Analysis, Defense Finance

Summary

This presentation by Tisha Braun of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) focuses on post-pay review (PPR) and the urgent need to improve payment integrity across Department of Defense travel programs. Rather than framing PPR as an audit, Braun emphasizes it as a continuous process to build a culture of compliance and accountability in how travel funds are authorized, documented, and reimbursed.

A central concern is the persistently high rate of improper payments. While official projections appear relatively low, Braun reveals that detailed sampling shows error rates as high as 45–50% in reviewed cases. These errors are often not fraudulent but stem from repeatable, preventable issues such as missing receipts, incorrect authorizations, and failure to follow established regulations like the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).

She highlights that many improper payments are “technical” rather than monetary—such as missing documentation—but still count against compliance metrics. At the same time, these technical errors often obscure more serious financial issues, including overpayments for lodging, meals, and rental cars. Braun stresses that organizations must address both categories to meet Payment Integrity Information Act requirements and avoid potential budget penalties of up to 10%.

A key takeaway is the importance of getting travel authorizations and documentation correct upfront. Since DoD travel systems like DTS do not allow retroactive fixes to remove improper payment designations, errors made at the time of approval remain permanently flagged, even if later corrected. This places significant responsibility on approving officials (AOs) and reviewers, whose actions are now directly tracked and tied to organizational risk assessments.

Braun also outlines improvements underway, including enhanced root-cause reporting, expanded training, AI-assisted review tools, and a forthcoming dashboard to provide agencies with actionable insights. However, she emphasizes that technology alone will not solve the problem—success depends on stronger collaboration, accountability, and a shift from reactive fixes to proactive compliance.

Ultimately, the session underscores that improving payment integrity is essential not only for compliance but for preserving budgets, maintaining trust, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of government travel programs.