Out of interest, have you noticed a difference in the expenses which you are able to charge since the MPs debacle? Has it made your organisation more aware of these costs? I'd be interested to know whether both training managers and consultants/freelance trainers have noticed any differences in what they feel able to charge - or whether you are having to follow new guidelines. Please post a comment below, or email me susie.finch@trainingzone.co.uk Kind regards Susie Finch Editor, features
5 Responses
expences
Hi Susie
Thankfully I’m in Moscow for a client – and in the professional services area no it is as liberal as always
😉
Transparency
Susie,
I’ve never charged for anything without a receipt (where they are provided), and agreement in advance. For a long time, companies have taken a dim view of external consultants who stay 5-star hotels and send in large bar bills. I’ve never tried to do it as I couldn’t justify it.
Materials and expenses are re-charged at cost, as they always have been.
Sheridan
The Minimum
It’s absolutely essential that myself and my client understand that a daily allowance of 2lbs of finest Beluga caviar, 6 Jeroboam’s of Dom Perignon, 24 hour access to a Bentley and the nightly assistance of Nurse ‘Shaharazad’ to relieve my ‘muscle tension’ is barely enough to keep body and soul together. But alongside that most noble group; MPs, I am prepared to slum it and make these sacrifices.
Transparency is key
Hi
just to clarify – my current 5* accomodation is selected & paid for directly by the client – a far cry from my normal ‘franchise’ based no frills approach.
I usually charge accomodation at cost plus £20 per night as a fixed rate
being transparent and realistic is critical – the rule – no suprises is important. but when in rome…. another Vodka & caviar anyone (salmon there are some limits…)?
Those days are long gone!
Hi Susie,
I think a long time has passed since clients were “easy” on expenses.
For a long time, like many others, I have been invoicing expenses at cost and booking accommodation from the clients preferred supplier list.
Most of my clients now have a low cost flights policy for pan European flights, and are quite rightly strict with these policies.
For me, pretty much a hotel is a hotel and a flight is a flight. On the scale of things the “chain” or “airline” flown are not important to me and at the end of the day we as I freelancer I am contracted to add value and choosing a more expensive meal, hotel or flight actually detracts from adding that value.
Regards, Andi