Without any more preamble, here are the most common T&E expense abuses, according to Business Week:
Extended weekends - some of us do get lucky and have meetings near the slopes or the beach. We even have to, from time to time, maintain good business relationships by spending a day or two golfing with the client. Those are valid enough T&E expense. However, it does happen that one extends one’s stay for personal gain and still files this extra day (or two) as T&E expense. That is definitely NOT valid.
Mini-vacation with the family – in my case, rather than curtail the number of trips I need to take after I gave birth, I am encouraged to take mini-vacations. Obviously, though, it does NOT mean that the company will foot the bill. Apparently, some charge the family airfare and meals to the company and expect to be reimbursed for them.
Hotel Upgrade – sure, you could use your mileage to upgrade to a, say, suite. But, if your office books you to a superior room and you upgrade yourself and charge this to the company, then that expense could be questioned.
Dinner with non-clients - some meet friends and charge it to the company. Honestly, I did try this a few times, thinking that since I have the “budget” to do this, I should take advantage of it. WRONG!
New Wardrobe – apparently, there are cases when some charge shopping for a new wardrobe, in the guise of having lost their luggage during a business trip. Unbelievable!
Flight Upgrade – same concept as Hotel Upgrade
Gifts to self – bought for personal gain but is declared as gift to a client
Tech Upgrade – say, a new and better laptop bought during a trip with “broken laptop during the trip” used as justification
Booze expense – yes, it is perfectly okay to treat clients for a night of drinking. But, you are obviously cheating if you include a few bottles (or even a case) to take home to stock your bar.
Fake per-diem – when per diems are declared, even if meals were paid for by the client. Personally, I do not really see this as wrong. But, then again, that is just me.
I was once (or was it twice? thrice? hmmm...) guilty of declaring dinner with clients even if I had dinner with friends. What about you? Have you committed any of these abuses?
» T&E Expense Abuse from RoadGladiator
Travel and Entertainment (T&E) Expense reimbursements are susceptible to abuse. Whether a non-reimbursable expense was intentionally filed or if it was just a mistake due to misunderstanding, it still could be classified as stealing from the compan... [Read More]
Tracked on: May 7, 2006 4:17 AM | Permalink to Trackback