expense reports - what do you do?

I just read an article about business travel and expense reports -- it stated that about 20% of business travelers lie on their reports! I found that shocking.

When I travel for work, I keep my food-related expenses strictly to 3 meals per day. If I want a latte mid-day, that goes on my tab. An afternoon snack is the same. What do you do? Just curious.

Let me say that I am in no way trying to make anyone else look dishonest. I'm just interested in what other people do. Sometimes I think I'm paranoid about myself, to be honest.

Edited for Clarification: What do you charge? What do you leave off?

Message edited 6/27/2007 1:14:10 PM.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

When I travelled for work i was as honest as possible on expense reports and never expensed something that i felt i should be paying for myself. I found it much easier when my company switched to per diem though!

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

i dont lie on my exp reports

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

If anything, I don't charge enough. Sometimes I forget to put some of my expenses (like my cell phone) through.

We get a perdiem meal allowance. So when I was on my recent project it was $44 for meals for the day.

Message edited 6/27/2007 1:23:13 PM.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

I'm 100% honest. However, our business policy is that all expenses are reimbursed. The exception is if we go out for drinks or something after work... but if I want coffee in the morning, it goes on the office / client tab. It would be free if I were home or at the office.

So, no, almost nothing except entertainment is on my tab - and that's our company's policy, too.

When I travel, it is usually very far away (last trip was to China for two weeks). I work 'round the clock, 7 days a week when I travel. I've never traveled and had even 1 half day off for anything. Clearly if I go shopping or our for drinks or entertainment or something, that's on my tab... but routine stuff like meals, coffee, and small snacks are paid for by the client. That's NOT dishonest. That's following my company's policy.

Message edited 6/27/2007 1:32:33 PM.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

i put every and any expense on my amex and expense the statement. the only other thing i will expense is cash tips.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

i expense everything!(except if im shopping and buying things for myself)

i also take $25 a day for misc. tips and expenses - per my bosses suggestion,
in addition to expensing something like motrin or shampoo etc. if i bought it on a trip

my expense account is huge because i take clients to fancy dinners and order crazy wine so the last thing they are scrutinizing is my afternoon latte or a book i bought for the plane
they are usually looking for the guy putting strip club visits on their expensie accounts, or blowing money on clients that do zero business with us

so essentially i look good compared to them

Message edited 6/27/2007 2:31:19 PM.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

When I went to a conference they just paid us a per diem. I don't drink coffee and didn't drink any alcohol, so unlike most of my coworkers I actually made money on the deal.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

when I traveled for my job I NEVER lied about anything. but I knew salespeople that did. they would fudge on the mileage all the time! not only did they do that but they also bought SUPER expensive bottles of wine and $75 a piece cigars while entertaining clients.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

As a former wall street assistant...

these guys don't pay for a thing! They won't pay for a thing either.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?

I leave off alcoholic drinks.

ETA: If it is a client/vendor dinner, then I expense everything.

Message edited 6/27/2007 2:49:03 PM.

Re: expense reports - what do you do?