πŸ’³ Understanding Expenses vs Reimbursements in SiFi

πŸ’³ Understanding Expenses vs Reimbursements in SiFi

πŸ”Ž Overview

SiFi helps you manage business spending in two ways:

  • Expenses β†’ When you pay using a SiFi Corporate Card.

  • Reimbursements β†’ When you pay with personal funds and later request repayment.

Understanding the difference ensures faster approvals, accurate reporting, and smooth reimbursements.


Feature

Expense

Reimbursement

Payment Method

SiFi Corporate Card

Personal Cash / Card

When to Use

Purchases made on company card

Out-of-pocket purchases

Processing Time

Immediate (auto-captured)

3–5 business days after approval

Receipt Upload

Match to existing card transaction

Upload full receipt with request

Approval Required

βœ… Yes

βœ… Yes

Documentation

Add receipt + notes

Enter full details + receipts


πŸ’Ό When to Use Expenses (Corporate Card)

Choose Expenses if you:

  • βœ… Paid with your SiFi card (physical or virtual)

  • βœ… Made an online purchase with the company card

  • βœ… Have recurring subscription payments

  • βœ… Paid directly at POS using Apple Pay / Mada Pay

How It Works

  1. Transaction appears automatically in SiFi

  2. Attach receipt

  3. Add category, budget, and notes

  4. Submit for approval

  5. Finance reconciles with card statement

Examples

  • Booking a hotel with company card

  • Restaurant bill with clients

  • SaaS subscription (e.g., Zoom, Google Workspace)

  • Uber / Careem trip charged to SiFi card


🧾 When to Use Reimbursements (Personal Spend)

Choose Reimbursements if you:

  • βœ… Paid from your own personal card or cash

  • βœ… Don’t yet have access to a corporate card

  • βœ… Made emergency purchases

  • βœ… Need to claim mileage, parking, or per diem

How It Works

  1. Create a reimbursement request in SiFi

  2. Enter amount, date, and merchant

  3. Upload receipts / invoices

  4. Submit for approval β†’ receive transfer within 3–5 business days

Examples

  • Paying parking fees in cash

  • Buying office supplies in an emergency

  • Using your car for business mileage

  • Conference fees before card issuance

NotesπŸ’‘ Our Recommendation: Use SiFi Cards First

While reimbursements are available when necessary, we strongly recommend using your SiFi Corporate Cards whenever possible.

Here’s why:

  • βœ… Instant Policy Compliance: Card usage automatically follows approval rules, category controls, and spending limits set by your Admins.

  • βœ… Faster Processing: Expenses are automatically captured and reconciled, avoiding manual entry and delays.

  • βœ… Audit-Ready: All transactions, receipts, and policies are centrally stored for compliance and audits.

  • βœ… No Personal Risk: You don’t need to use your own funds and wait for reimbursement.

  • βœ… Improved Visibility: Finance teams get real-time tracking of company spend instead of waiting for claims.

πŸš€ Using SiFi Cards ensures smarter spending, faster approvals, and stronger compliance for your company.

Use reimbursements only when card payment is not an option (e.g., merchants not accepting cards, emergency cash situations).



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