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I am retired from corporate America and now work part time for a non profit. If I have any out of pocket expenses in my travels I must submit a receipt to be reimbursed. This policy is down to a $2.50 coffee and a bagel. In my prior working career for the last 20 years accounting wanted nothing to do with receipts under $25 and entrusted the employee to “do the right thing”. With the non profit if I submit a hand written “receipt” because I forgot to ask for one they go crazy. Are they off base or am I for objecting to this policy?
As a nonprofit, maybe their expenses are more closely scrutinized. Or maybe the Accounting Manager is a jerk. In either case, they have a very clear, understandable, and clearly not unethical policy. How can that be “off base”? Start saving receipts.
As a nonprofit, maybe their expenses are more closely scrutinized. Or maybe the Accounting Manager is a jerk. In either case, they have a very clear, understandable, and clearly not unethical policy. How can that be “off base”? Start saving receipts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by COcheesehead
Coffee and a bagel are a business expense? Maybe that’s why they want receipts.
Plus, if it bothers you that much, then there is no reason for you to ask to be reimbursed for coffee and a bagel. Bring your own coffee or eat the $2.50. Sheesh.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,579 posts, read 81,186,228 times
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When I travel on business I use a corporate credit card, but still must receive and submit a receipt. There is a food limit per day, which could include coffee and a doughnut or bagel. Travel expenses are very thoroughly audited. If you don't want to save receipts, you should just pay for the small expenses yourself. They are not off base, they are simply doing their best to maintain their non-profit status.
OP here and as Paul Harvey would say now you know the rest of the story:
The non profit I work for is a world renowned drug and alcohol treatment facility. I transport patients in and out for treatment driving a company vehicle upwards of 250 miles each way. Some trips can run 10 to 12 hours. I am reimbursed for meals, airport parking etc. Say a parking receipt for $4 is submitted. My supervisor signs off on it, them his boss signs it and then it goes on to accounting. Three maybe four people “touching “ a $4 expense.
It all seems wasteful to me and a far cry from a best practice. I have never submitted an expense over $20 in the last 4 years that I have been on the job.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,579 posts, read 81,186,228 times
Reputation: 57818
Quote:
Originally Posted by caco54
OP here and as Paul Harvey would say now you know the rest of the story:
The non profit I work for is a world renowned drug and alcohol treatment facility. I transport patients in and out for treatment driving a company vehicle upwards of 250 miles each way. Some trips can run 10 to 12 hours. I am reimbursed for meals, airport parking etc. Say a parking receipt for $4 is submitted. My supervisor signs off on it, them his boss signs it and then it goes on to accounting. Three maybe four people “touching “ a $4 expense.
It all seems wasteful to me and a far cry from a best practice. I have never submitted an expense over $20 in the last 4 years that I have been on the job.
It has to be done, the problem is how they do it. If a fair number of people are doing that same work as you they need to get some decent software such as we use. We simply scan the receipts into the system, then it shoots an email to the approving manager and/or director who clicks their approval.
OP here and as Paul Harvey would say now you know the rest of the story:
It all seems wasteful to me and a far cry from a best practice.
In your previous executive life, that would have sent half a dozen people scrambling for a solution. Now, it just makes you “that guy”. Start saving receipts.
OP here and as Paul Harvey would say now you know the rest of the story:
The non profit I work for is a world renowned drug and alcohol treatment facility. I transport patients in and out for treatment driving a company vehicle upwards of 250 miles each way. Some trips can run 10 to 12 hours. I am reimbursed for meals, airport parking etc. Say a parking receipt for $4 is submitted. My supervisor signs off on it, them his boss signs it and then it goes on to accounting. Three maybe four people “touching “ a $4 expense.
It all seems wasteful to me and a far cry from a best practice. I have never submitted an expense over $20 in the last 4 years that I have been on the job.
Our small business went through a full IRS research audit. We needed to show documents for every expense as well as proof of payment. Since that year long audit, I've switched to putting everything I can on a credit card or paying by check. No cash payments unless I have an official receipt.
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