Employees working from home during the coronavirus pandemic claimed some outlandish expenses this year, including pricey exercise bikes, facelifts and private jets.
Emburse, an expense management software company, released a compilation Wednesday of some of the craziest expenses it has seen claimed this year, some of which were actually approved. That included $1,895, which was approved as a contribution for an employee's Peloton Bike under the explanation of “for health and wellness.” On the other hand, a $7,600 expense claim for a facelift was submitted under the category of “repairs and maintenance” but was rejected, despite the pressing need to look one’s best during a Zoom meeting.
Jim Gemer, CPA, is the founder of the Human Choice Company LLC in Bradenton, Florida. He writes on AI governance, forensic methodology, and the accountability gap at thinkingsovereignty.ai and digitalhumanism.ai.
Pam Klein is the SVP and GM of Zelis' member engagement and transparency business, which helps payers meet the needs of their members. Previously, she led Network Analytics at Zelis to help payers optimize their provider networks through analytical software and Product Management for Zelis' Claims Cost Solutions business unit. Prior to this, she was Chief Marketing Officer at Zelis, overseeing strategic leadership on brand management, product marketing, and internal and external communications.
Luke Frye, CPA, is the Accountant in Residence at Canopy, where he brings a background in accounting tech startups and private practice to help firms build smarter, more scalable businesses. After growing his own bootstrapped firm to $500K ARR and helping platforms like Bench and Pilot reach thousands of clients; Luke now focuses on one mission: helping firms add $10 million in collective revenue this year. He bridges modern software and firm operations so practitioners can reclaim their time and build firms that are not just profitable, but truly valuable.
Some expenses weren’t for working from home, but more about getting out of the house safely. An expense claim for a private jet charter costing over $20,000 was submitted and approved under the explanation of “required to limit COVID exposure for international shoots.” Another travel-related expense claim was $2,500 for a helicopter ride, which was not approved.
The $79 expense claim for a dog crate could perhaps be used for travel at some point when that's safer, but in these times it was more plausibly to provide "crate training [for] a new COVID puppy to not run into Zoom meetings."
Below is an infographic produced by Emburse showing this and several other head-scratching claims:
