A business overhead expense policy is a document that outlines the rules and procedures for reimbursing employees for business-related expenses. It is important to have a business overhead expense policy in place to ensure that employees are reimbursed for legitimate expenses and that the company is not overpaying for expenses.
What is the purpose of a business overhead expense policy?
The purpose of a business overhead expense policy is to:
- Ensure that employees are reimbursed for legitimate business-related expenses.
- Establish clear and consistent guidelines for reimbursement.
- Prevent fraud and abuse.
- Protect the company’s financial resources.
What types of expenses are typically covered by a business overhead expense policy?
Common types of expenses covered by a business overhead expense policy include:
- Travel expenses (e.g., airfare, hotel, meals, rental cars)
- Meals and entertainment expenses
- Mileage reimbursement
- Parking fees
- Cell phone and internet expenses
- Office supplies alnewsbreak.com
- Postage and shipping
- Professional development expenses
How to write a business overhead expense policy
When writing a business overhead expense policy, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The types of expenses that will be reimbursed
- The eligibility requirements for reimbursement
- The approval process for reimbursement
- The documentation requirements for reimbursement
- The consequences for violating the policy
Tips for writing a successful business overhead expense policy
Here are a few tips for writing a successful business overhead expense policy:
- Be specific and clear. The policy should clearly state what types of expenses are eligible for reimbursement and what the requirements are for reimbursement.
- Be fair and reasonable. The policy should be fair to both employees and the company.
- Be easy to understand. The policy should be written in plain language that is easy for employees to understand.
- Be flexible. The policy should be flexible enough to accommodate changes in the company’s needs.
- Be communicated to employees. The policy should be communicated to all employees so that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Conclusion
A business overhead expense policy is an important tool for any business. By following the tips above, you can write a business overhead expense policy that will help you to protect your company’s financial resources and ensure that employees are reimbursed for legitimate business-related expenses.
Example of a business overhead expense policy
The following is an example of a business overhead expense policy:
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish clear and consistent guidelines for the reimbursement of business-related expenses.
Eligibility
All employees of [company name] are eligible for reimbursement of business-related expenses.
Reimbursable Expenses
The following types of expenses are typically reimbursable:
- Travel expenses (e.g., airfare, hotel, meals, rental cars)
- Meals and entertainment expenses
- Mileage reimbursement
- Parking fees
- Cell phone and internet expenses
- Office supplies
- Postage and shipping
- Professional development expenses
Approval Process
All expense reimbursements must be approved by the employee’s supervisor.
Documentation Requirements
Employees must submit the following documentation to support their expense reimbursements:
- Original receipts for all expenses
- A completed expense report that includes the following information:
- Date of expense
- Description of expense
- Amount of expense
- Purpose of expense
Consequences for Violating the Policy
Employees who violate the business overhead expense policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
This is just an example of a business overhead expense policy. The specific contents of the policy will vary depending on the company’s needs and industry.