Free expense report and receipt template

    Record each expense with its document, reason, project and accountable approver.

    Template preview

    DateEmployeeCategoryDescriptionClientProjectAmountCurrencyReceiptRebillableStatusApprover
    2026-07-20Anna GreenTravelClient trainAcmeCloud migration48.90EURreceipt-001.pdfYesSubmittedMark

    How to use it

    1

    Download the CSV and open it in Excel, Google Sheets or LibreOffice.

    2

    Adapt categories and stages without removing stable identifiers.

    3

    When the file becomes hard to maintain, create a free HICE workspace and manage the process directly there.

    Categories and receipts that prevent arguments

    Most expense disputes are not about large amounts but about rules nobody wrote down. What belongs in each category, above what amount a receipt is required, what needs prior authorisation and what is never reimbursed are four questions that fit on half a page.

    When those rules are written and known, approval stops being a case-by-case negotiation. And the team stops advancing money without knowing whether they will get it back, which is the part of the process that generates the most resentment for the least money at stake.

    • Closed categories with examples of what each includes
    • The threshold above which a receipt is required
    • Expenses that require prior authorisation
    • A reimbursement deadline committed to in writing

    What to check before approving

    A useful review looks at four things rather than ten: that the receipt exists and is legible, that client and project are filled in, that the rebillable flag is consistent with the contract, and that the amount fits the declared category.

    The point that recovers the most money is the third. In a services firm part of the spend is passed on to the client, and when that distinction is made at the close something always goes unbilled. It is not much per transaction, but it repeats every month.

    • Receipt attached and legible on every line
    • Client and project always assigned
    • Rebillable flag consistent with the contract
    • Expenses pending rebilling reviewed before the close

    When the spreadsheet is no longer enough

    When you are ready to move beyond the sheet, create a HICE workspace and manage data, roles, approvals and history in one place.

    Move to HICE for free

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I need to register to download it?+

    No. Download the template without email or payment card.

    Does it work with Excel and Google Sheets?+

    Yes. The UTF-8 CSV works with mainstream spreadsheet tools.

    Is the template imported into HICE?+

    No. The template is a standalone tool. In HICE, add candidates by uploading CVs and configure the other workflows directly in the workspace.