How do Unit Leaders submit a Payment Reimbursement Request (via desktop)

So, I can't figure out how a unit leader can submit a personal reimbursement request via the web/desktop. For everyone else, they can log into their account and use "Request a Reimbursement". That will take them to LCRFFE in the "Budget" section on the "Payment Request" tab. They can just fill it in and be all set.

However, when a unit leader does this, it takes them to that tab, but they are in the wrong organization (it seems to default to Relief Society, but all options are available). If you pop open that dropdown list, there is a "Unit Leader/Clerk" choice. However, if you pick that, it takes you to the Budget Summary tab for some reason. You can then head over to the Payment Request section (the official instructions seem to imply this), but you aren't supposed to submit for yourself there (if you select yourself for payment, you get a message saying "The submitter should not be the payee or fast-offering recipient of the expense").

So, what is the proper way for a Unit Leader to submit a reimbursement request? Note that I can do it fine through the app. Just seems weird that I can't find a way to do it through the web/desktop interface.

Thanks!

There's a bit of discussion about Unit Leaders and Payment Requests in other Forum threads, for instance this one here:
https://tech.churchofjesuschrist.org/fo ... 24#p227524
And the official instructions link you shared, is also specific to Organization Leaders (in both the title, as well as in the doc itself).

My understanding is that a Unit Leader can use the Payment Request to request reimbursement for other organizations, but not for anything at the unit level. For that they need to use the standard process to submit expenses.

As BrainEdwards said, you can use Payment Request on the web to submit a request against an organization budget but that's it. Overall, I've advised bishoprics in our stake to either use the app or have someone else (usually a clerk) submit their expenses.

Park of my issue is that I am in the Bishopric and also an Asst Clerk. So, sometimes, the interface can be a little odd/confusing. LCR actually has a selection drop-down at the top to pick between callings depending on what I need to do. But the finance side doesn't appear to have that.

In any case, today I was trying to submit a reimbursement request for myself in my calling as a Bishopric member. It was something that will be reimbursed out of Fast Offerings. That is what I could find no way to submit for myself on the web/desktop interface. I submitted it via the app instead.

Thanks for the responses. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't overlooking/missing something. It doesn't look like I am -- there just isn't a "proper" way to do it through the web/desktop interface for me.

BrianEdwards wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 10:14 am And the official instructions link you shared, is also specific to Organization Leaders (in both the title, as well as in the doc itself).

I agree it is specific to Org Leaders. I guess you're saying that you don't consider the Bishopric to be Org Leaders? I guess I can see that argument. But, again, the Mobile instructions there work fine for Bishopric Members. But the LCR section kinda falls apart.

My understanding is that a Unit Leader can use the Payment Request to request reimbursement for other organizations, but not for anything at the unit level. For that they need to use the standard process to submit expenses.

I guess that is what I was asking. What is the "standard process to submit expenses" for a reimbursement to oneself as a Bishopric member -- via the desktop/online form? Without using the app, which allows it just fine, I'm not sure what that would be -- other than to only do it with paper receipts and hand it to a clerk?

I think there's a bit of user uncertainty whether the LCR or App implementation is correct. And I'm a little hesitant to put in any Feedback, since if LCR is correct and the App should be updated to also not allow that process, they might shut it down once it's pointed out...

For now, I'd consider our local "standard process" to be sending an electronic image of the receipt (phone pic) via email to the clerk, and having him handle it. Definitely extra steps on your end, but doable.

I think the underlying principle to remember is that there must be 2 approvers - neither of whom can be the recipient of the reimbursement. I'm no longer a clerk, but if I have followed the discussions correctly, there have been cases where the system (or app) allowed the submitter to be one of the 2 approvers which would be an exception to church policy. If you are a bishopric counselor or assistant clerk, it is better to have someone else submit the reimbursement request for you and don't approve one where you are the recipient of the reimbursement.

I guess I don't see why it would make more sense to allow the member to submit it electronically -- and then require two approvers who aren't that member.

From what I've seen, the system as it is now does appear to stop that from happening properly. (I.e. when they are submitted via the app, it still requires 2-person approval from others).

Actually, with this newly submitted one, I'll take a look this Sunday and see for sure if it does so. If it DOES properly handle it -- and not allow me to approve anything that I submitted, then I would maintain that the system works fine and should allow Bishopric members to submit reimbursement requests via desktop just like we can via app. If it looks like it would let me approve it somehow, then I agree that it is likely an app bug.

As a ward clerk I use a workaround to submit an EFT personal payment request. I could send the request by email to the finance clerk or a bishopric counselor but I find keeping the payment request entirely withing the online system more efficient. To submit an EFT payment request for myself I enter the payment request at the Enter Expenses tab. I get the warning/caution message as expected; but it does not prevent the payment from being processed. When the attachment(s) is(are) reviewed I reject it and enter the "payee cannot be the submitter" as the reason. This sends the payment to the Pending tab to await further action. I then send a text message, or email message, to the ward finance clerk or a bishopric counselor asking them to review and approve the payment request and that it will be found in the Pending tab. When they approve the payment request at the Pending tab they become the first approver.

This workaround is not necessary when the payment instrument is a paper check. The two approvals are the signatures on the check. Of course I would not sign the check but get two other authorized signatures. It does not matter that the submitter and the first electronic approver are the same in this situation.