Chrome River CURRENTS

Today’s business travelers rely on mobile devices for any number of important tasks, from staying connected to the workplace to travel expense management. Despite the sensitive nature of the business information flowing to and from smartphones, tablets and laptops, relatively few organizations have policies that address the potential security issues, according to BusinessTravelNews.com.

These days, loyalty programs are everywhere, whether you’re using an online shopping membership like Amazon Prime for shipping, swiping a credit card to earn cash back, or scanning a quick-response code for a discount at your neighborhood coffee shop.

It’s easy to see the disadvantages of a manual, paper-based accounts payable system: high costs, inaccuracy and inefficiency. Yet investment in AP automation tends to lag behind customer-focused improvements, according to a study discussed in Business Finance. Paper checks still account for over half of business-to-business payments, but that number is steadily declining as AP departments gradually move toward automated electronic processes.

Facts alone are seldom persuasive enough to drive changes in an organization, much to the frustration of those with superior technical know-how but limited political clout. At most organizations, having the ear and support of influential executives is also vital to implementing a new process or tool, like an automated expense report program.

From evolving audit standards to the future of new technologies, a recent Accounting Today article solicits insights from five industry experts addressing the latest trends in accounting. Today’s regulatory environment is rapidly changing and growing more complex. But such new technologies as cloud-based AP automation and expense management software are helping accounting departments keep pace and improve performance.

The bill arrives a few days after your company purchases a domain name for a new service you’re launching. The invoice is an administrative fee for registering the new web address with the international domain name directory. While this document looks official and the amount requested seems feasible, it’s a scam. Is your company’s invoice management system robust enough to weed out these scams and solicitations?

Many organizations find that travel expense claims are a prime target for internal fraud, from altered receipts to personal charges disguised as business expenses. A new survey by AirPlus shows that companies are using a variety of methods to combat fraudulent expense claims, according to Business Travel News.

With the ubiquity of mobile devices, using an app tends to increase the attention given to a specific task, and many people appreciate the simplified, user-friendly experience that apps offer. According to a recent article from Fast Company, corporate travel managers should take advantage of employees’ growing preference for engaging with mobile apps when it comes to travel.

If you run a law practice, you likely pay annual dues to the American Bar Association. Do you really need to keep the receipt? While professional fees are tax-deductible and may appear to be clearly for business use, don’t cut corners with the IRS.

The average organization spends a surprising amount on business travel and other employee reimbursable expenses — 8 percent to 12 percent of its annual budget, according to research by the Aberdeen Group. According to an article on the FOX Business website, a new report on global business travel predicts sharp increases in travel spending over the next two years. More than ever, organizations need a travel expense management solution to keep these costs under control.