Step-by-Step Solution: Configuring Expense Policies by Expense Category in Oracle Financials Cloud

To implement the expense policy for meals in Oracle Financials Cloud, follow these steps:

Step 1: Navigate to the Expense Policies Setup

Log in to Oracle Financials Cloud with the appropriate Expense Manager or Financial Administrator role.

Go to the Setup and Maintenance work area.

Select Manage Policies by Expense Category (Task Name: Manage Expense Policies by Expense Category).

Select the US1 Business Unit to ensure the policy applies to the correct entity.

Step 2: Create or Update the Meal Expense Category

Under Manage Policies by Expense Category, locate or create the Meals Expense Category.

If the Meals category does not exist:

Click Create Expense Category.

Enter Category Name: "Meals".

Category Type: "Meals and Entertainment".

Save the entry.

Step 3: Define Expense Limits for Evening Meals

Select the Meals Expense Category and click Edit.

Navigate to the Policies and Limits tab.

Under Amount Limits, click Add New Rule.

Description: "Evening Meal Limit".

Limit Type: "Maximum Allowed Amount".

Limit Amount: Enter 30 USD.

Per: Select Day.

Apply to All Employees (since this applies regardless of role and location).

Location-Based Rules: Leave blank since it applies universally.

Click Save and Close.

Step 4: Enable and Activate the Policy

Ensure the policy is enabled by selecting the checkbox for Active.

Click Submit to finalize the configuration.

Run the "Validate and Deploy Expense Policies" process to apply changes.

Step 5: Testing the Policy

Simulate an Expense Report Submission:

Have an employee create a new expense report.

Select Meals as the expense category.

Enter an evening meal expense of 35 USD (which exceeds the policy limit).

Verify if a policy violation warning appears, restricting the claim to 30 USD.

Submit an expense of 30 USD and ensure no policy violation occurs.

Expected Outcome:

Employees can claim up to 30 USD per day for an evening meal.

Any claim above 30 USD triggers a policy violation warning.

The rule applies to all employees regardless of role and location.

Conclusion

By following the above steps, you successfully configure an expense policy for meals that limits evening meal claims to 30 USD per day. This ensures compliance with the company's expense management guidelines while streamlining the expense approval process in Oracle Financials Cloud.