How can you use expense reports to show the value of your TA work to your manager?

1 What are expense reports?

Expense reports are documents that record and track the costs incurred by a TA for doing their work. These costs may include software subscriptions, data sources, hardware, travel, training, and other expenses. Expense reports are usually submitted to your manager or accounting department for approval and reimbursement. They are also used for budgeting, auditing, and tax purposes.

3 How to use expense reports for TA work?

To use expense reports effectively for your TA work, you need to follow some best practices. It's best to use a standard and consistent format for your expense reports, such as a template or software tool. Make sure to include all the relevant information, such as the date, amount, category, description, and purpose of each expense. Additionally, you can attach receipts, invoices, or screenshots as proof of your expenses. When creating your expense reports, it's important to align them with your goals and objectives by showing how each expense relates to your TA work and contributes to desired outcomes. For example, if you subscribe to a premium charting software, you can demonstrate how it helps generate better TA signals and recommendations. You can also use metrics like return on investment (ROI) to quantify the value of your expenses. Finally, review and update your expense reports regularly throughout the year. This will help you identify any errors, discrepancies, or opportunities for improvement while giving you an opportunity to highlight achievements and challenges and ask for feedback from your manager.

4 How to avoid common pitfalls with expense reports?

Expense reports can present some challenges and risks if not handled carefully. It's important to keep track of all expenses as soon as they occur and use a system or tool to store receipts and invoices to avoid overlooking or underreporting expenses. Additionally, be sure to plan and prioritize expenses according to goals and objectives to prevent overspending or wasting expenses on unnecessary tools or methods. Lastly, follow the rules and guidelines of your company and profession and use expenses honestly and appropriately to avoid misusing or abusing your expenses.

5 How to learn more about expense reports?

Expense reports are an important and useful tool for your TA work, but they can also be complex and challenging. To learn more about them, seek guidance and feedback from your manager, accounting department, or colleagues. This can help you understand the requirements and expectations of your company and profession. Additionally, you can take online courses or workshops on expense reporting to learn the basics and best practices. You can also read books or articles on expense reporting to gain insights and perspectives from other TAs or professionals who use expense reports for their work. Moreover, you can find many resources online that teach you how to use specific tools or software for expense reporting.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?