Manage Company Credit Cards Responsibly – It’s The Key To Business Success

How To

Company credit cards can be a valuable tool for businesses, allowing them to make purchases quickly and easily. However, managing company credit cards can be complicated, and it is important to have a plan in place to keep track of spending and ensure that all expenses are accounted for. In this introduction, we will discuss some tips for managing company credit cards, including setting up policies and procedures, tracking spending, and ensuring that all purchases are legitimate business expenses.

How to Set Up a Company Credit Card Policy

Creating a company credit card policy is an important step to ensure that company funds are managed responsibly. A credit card policy can help to ensure that employees use the company credit card only for approved business purchases and that payments are made on time.

When setting up a company credit card policy, businesses should consider the following:

• Who is eligible to receive a company credit card? Establishing eligibility criteria such as job title, length of employment, and other factors can help ensure that only responsible employees are given access to company funds.

• Who is authorized to approve purchases? Create a list of authorized approvers who can authorize purchases made with the company credit card.

• What purchases are allowed? Establish a list of approved purchases and prevent employees from making unauthorized purchases.

• How will payments be handled? Determine a payment schedule and who is responsible for making payments.

• What are the penalties for late payments? Set a timeline for when payments must be made and outline the consequences for late payments.

• How will disputes be handled? Develop a process for how disputes will be handled and how employees should communicate any issues.

• How will the card be monitored? Establish a system to monitor the use of the company credit card, such as regular reviews of statements and purchases.

By creating a comprehensive company credit card policy, businesses can ensure that company funds are managed responsibly and that employees use the company credit card appropriately.

The Pros and Cons of Using Company Credit Cards

The use of company credit cards can be both beneficial and detrimental to businesses, and it is important to consider the pros and cons of using them before deciding if they are the right choice for your business.

Pros

• Control: Company credit cards can help businesses track and manage employee spending. This is beneficial for businesses, as it allows them to set limits on their employees’ spending and ensure that only necessary purchases are made.

• Rewards: Many company credit cards offer rewards for businesses that use them. These rewards can include cash back, travel miles, and discounts on certain products and services.

• Transparency: Company credit cards are a great way to ensure transparency in the accounting process. All purchases made with a company credit card are easily tracked and documented, giving businesses a clear picture of how their money is being spent.

Cons

• Fraud: Unfortunately, there is a risk of fraud associated with company credit cards. It is important for businesses to have measures in place to guard against fraudulent purchases and to perform regular audits to ensure that all purchases are legitimate.

• Misuse: If not monitored properly, company credit cards can easily be abused by employees. Businesses need to ensure that they have policies in place to prevent misuse and to monitor employee spending.

• Cost: Company credit cards can be costly for businesses. Not only do they require an upfront fee, but they may also have additional fees such as annual fees, late fees, and cash advance fees.

In conclusion, the use of company credit cards can be beneficial for businesses, but there are also potential risks associated with them. It is important for businesses to carefully consider the pros and cons of using company credit cards before deciding if they are the right choice for their needs.

Tips for Monitoring Employee Spending on Company Credit Cards

  1. Establish Clear Guidelines: Establish clear guidelines and expectations for employees who use company credit cards. Make sure employees understand what is permissible and what is not when it comes to spending.
  1. Set Spending Limits: Set spending limits for each employee who has access to the company credit card. This will help to ensure that employees do not overspend.
  2. Monitor Card Activity: Monitor the activity of company credit cards regularly. This will help to ensure that employees are not using the cards for unauthorized purchases.
  3. Require Receipts: Require employees to submit receipts for all purchases made on the company credit card. This will help to ensure that the purchases are valid and were made for an approved purpose.
  4. Review Statements: Review the statements for company credit cards on a regular basis. This will help to ensure that employees are not making unauthorized purchases.
  5. Investigate Unusual Activity: Investigate any unusual activity on the company credit cards. This will help to ensure that employees are not engaging in fraudulent activity with the cards.
  6. Implement a System: Implement a system for tracking employee spending on the company credit cards. This will help to ensure that spending is tracked and monitored.
  7. Educate Employees: Educate employees on the proper use of company credit cards. This will help to ensure that employees understand the rules and regulations for using the cards.

Best Practices for Preventing Fraud and Abuse of Company Credit Cards

Establish robust policies and procedures for company credit cards. These should define the types of expenses that are eligible for reimbursement, the approved vendors, and the documentation required to support the expenses.

Establish clear lines of authority and accountability for company credit cards. Establish a single point of contact for the company credit card program who is responsible for overseeing the use of the cards.

Require credit card holders to provide detailed and accurate documentation for each purchase. This should include receipts, invoices, and other supporting documents as needed.

Consider establishing spending limits for each cardholder that are commensurate with the type of expenses for which the card is being used.

Require credit card holders to reconcile their statements each month to ensure that all expenses are valid and properly documented.

Monitor card usage on a regular basis and look for any suspicious or unusual activity.

Educate employees on the proper use of the company credit card, including providing regular updates on any changes to policies and procedures.

Require employees to report any lost or stolen cards immediately.

Review credit card statements on a regular basis to ensure that the charges are valid and appropriate.

Establish a system for regularly auditing credit card usage to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.

How to Report and Resolve Unauthorized Charges on Company Credit Cards

Unauthorized charges on company credit cards can have serious financial implications for a business, and so it is essential that any such charges are reported and resolved promptly. This article will provide an overview of the steps necessary to report and resolve unauthorized charges on company credit cards.

Step 1: Notify the Card Issuer

The first step in reporting and resolving unauthorized charges on company credit cards is to contact the card issuer and inform them of the suspicious activity. It is important to do this as soon as possible, as this will help to ensure that the card is cancelled or frozen to prevent any further fraudulent activity. The card issuer may require certain information to verify the charge, such as the date and time of the transaction, the merchant name and address, and the transaction amount.

Step 2: Contact the Merchant

Once the card issuer has been notified, the next step is to contact the merchant from whom the unauthorized charge was made. It is important to do this in order to ensure that the merchant is aware of the fraudulent activity and that any funds that have been taken are returned. The merchant may require certain information to verify the charge, such as the date and time of the transaction, the card number, and the transaction amount.

Step 3: Submit a Dispute

Once the card issuer and merchant have been notified, the next step is to submit a dispute to the card issuer. This is done in order to ensure that any funds taken due to the unauthorized charge are returned to the company’s account. The card issuer may require certain information to process the dispute, such as the date and time of the transaction, the merchant name and address, and the transaction amount.

Step 4: Monitor the Account

Once the dispute has been submitted, it is important to monitor the account in order to ensure that the dispute is resolved in a timely manner. This can be done by regularly checking the account statement, as well as any notifications that may be received from the card issuer.

By following these steps, businesses can effectively report and resolve unauthorized charges on company credit cards. It is important to take these steps promptly in order to ensure that any fraudulent activity is stopped and that any funds taken as a result of the unauthorized charge are returned.

Q&A

What are the best strategies for managing company credit cards?

The best strategies for managing company credit cards include establishing clear policies and procedures, setting spending limits, tracking cardholder activity, and conducting periodic reviews.

What should be included in a company credit card policy?

A company credit card policy should include the types of purchases that are allowed, the appropriate spending limits, the procedure for reconciling statements, and the consequences for misuse of the card.

How can I ensure that company credit cards are used responsibly?

To ensure that company credit cards are used responsibly, set clear limits on the amount that can be spent and the types of items that can be purchased. Monitor cardholder activity regularly to ensure that limits are not exceeded and that purchases are not made outside of the established policy.

How often should credit card statements be reviewed?

Credit card statements should be reviewed at least once per month to make sure that all charges are valid and in compliance with the established policy.

What should be done if a credit card is lost or stolen?

If a credit card is lost or stolen, the cardholder should immediately contact the issuer to cancel the card and dispute any unauthorized charges. The cardholder should also inform their employer so that the card can be removed from the company’s accounts.

Conclusion

Company credit cards can be a great way to facilitate business spending, but it is important to ensure that they are managed properly. Establishing clear policies and procedures for their use, setting spending limits, and monitoring statements regularly can help to ensure that company credit cards are used responsibly and appropriately. Furthermore, communicating the policies to employees and providing ongoing training can help to reduce the risk of misuse. By taking these steps, companies can ensure that their company credit cards are used efficiently and effectively.