Lost expense receipt what can I do?

Sambucus_Nigra

nitapet wrote: »

Firstly thank you to everyone for their helpful advice.

Actually, it IS helpful to try and persuade people to use their own brain to deduce some solutions to problems....soon people will be on MSE asking whether to wipe, in what situations to wipe and which direction is best [if they haven't already].

somethingcorporate

In our company if we have lost the receipts it just requires an email from the boss confirming they were genuine etc and they are usually paid without much hassle.

I have learnt the hard (and embarrassing) way that scanning them before sending them is the best way to do it. I often have to submit expenses with £500+ worth of receipts in there and when these get lost in one go asking your boss to approve the lot without any receipts always looks dodgy!

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

We've removed some replies and not others.

If the people who've had posts removed could have a look at the style of the posts we've left, which in some cases said the same as you but in an appropriate way, then that should help you understand the kind of posts we're happy to leave.

Thanks

Procrastinator333

nitapet wrote: »

Does anyone in finance/accounting know if they really need every single receipt for adudit purposes or can they make an allowance for the odd lost one?

Is there any law or regulation that forces them to have every receipt - no. But, there are 2 issues imo. 1) HMRC - they can get in a lot of trouble if they pay out any meaningful amount without receipts on any kind of a regular basis. HMRC start to ask serious questions if employees are paid money without evidence (evidence = receipt) and will decide to assume it is salary and take large chunks of tax. 2) Plus there is the issue that while you may be honest, the fact is there are a significant number who are not. And allowing non receipted expenditure does make fraud much easier.

Where do you draw the line and how can you be consistent? If you let empoyees claim the odd item, how do you ensure you do the exact same thing for all? If you let one person off a taxi receipt, how about a meal receipt for another and how about a hotel receipt for another? In many ways, the fairest thing to do is make it abundantly clear, no receipt = no expense claim and stick to it. It seems pretty cra*py, but at least it is 100% consistent for all.

My advice, if you have the support of your manager, just work round the rules, add an extra 30 miles to a mileage claim, or get a spare taxi receipt and use that. The manager will sign it, you get your cash, finance have their receipt. All are happy. The funny thing is, I have suggested that to people before, and they get all worried and concerned that they are breaking the rules. Yet they in turn expect the person in finance to break the rules by processing an expense claim without a receipt. Funny that.

gordikin

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

Hi everyone

We've removed some replies and not others.

If the people who've had posts removed could have a look at the style of the posts we've left, which in some cases said the same as you but in an appropriate way, then that should help you understand the kind of posts we're happy to leave.

Thanks

So Post #13 is okay in style and is in an appropriate way?

erdd2

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Actually, it IS helpful to try and persuade people to use their own brain to deduce some solutions to problems....soon people will be on MSE asking whether to wipe, in what situations to wipe and which direction is best [if they haven't already].

If answers could be forwarded on as many sheets of unused toilet paper as possible, it would reduce my outgoings. Send to

A M Costcutting
Flat No 2
1 Puddle Lane
Skitsville
Bummingham

erdd2

Sorry to be flippant there OP!

I believe the accounts department may have been told to tighten control, however I cannot see why your explanation coupled with your bosses support and that you did attend the job is not acceptable reason to waive this one time no receipt issue.

gordikin

I'm sure it'll be a jobsworth unwilling to apply commonsense. However I'd guard against 'fiddling' expenses elsewhere to get the money back...that is a sackable offence. It's £13 not £130 or £1300. Personally I'd take the 'hit' and learn to be more careful with my receipts in future.

Procrastinator333

gordikin wrote: »

I'm sure it'll be a jobsworth unwilling to apply commonsense. However I'd guard against 'fiddling' expenses elsewhere to get the money back...that is a sackable offence. It's £13 not £130 or £1300. Personally I'd take the 'hit' and learn to be more careful with my receipts in future.

Exactly what I'm talking about. You refer to someone who is sticking to the rules as a jobsworth, but are not willing to break them yourself. The company policy is determined by the board. If they have dictated receipts are required, that is the policy like it or not. An accounts payable clark has zero scope for "commonsense" as you put it without breaking the rules themself. But that is ok as long as it is not you putting yourself at risk. Muppet.

gordikin

Procrastinator333 wrote: »

Exactly what I'm talking about. You refer to someone who is sticking to the rules as a jobsworth, but are not willing to break them yourself. The company policy is determined by the board. If they have dictated receipts are required, that is the policy like it or not. An accounts payable clark has zero scope for "commonsense" as you put it without breaking the rules themself. But that is ok as long as it is not you putting yourself at risk. Muppet.

No, there is clearly a difference in applying common sense and lying. Why the Muppet comment?...do you have 'issues' you want to share?