Setting the Mileage Rate + Per Diem Rate for Business Expenses (Company Admin)

Admins can update the mileage and per diem rates used for business expense submissions in Expense Settings. These rates should be configured before inviting employees to submit business expenses so that new submissions calculate correctly from the start.

When a rate is updated, the change only affects expenses submitted after the update. Expenses submitted before the change will continue using the rate that was active when they were submitted.

Compt allows Admins to manage company-level business expense settings, including mileage and per diem rates. These settings control how eligible business expense submissions are calculated when employees submit claims through the platform.

Use this process when you need to:

Set up mileage or per diem reimbursement rates for the first time
Update an existing mileage rate
Update an existing per diem rate
Review business expense type settings before employees begin submitting claims

Before you start

Before updating these settings, keep the following in mind:
You must have Admin access to Expense Admin
These rates should be configured before inviting team members to submit business expenses
Updated rates only apply to expenses submitted after the change
Previously submitted expenses keep the rate that was in effect at the time of submission

How to

Click Expense Admin in the left sidebar.
Select Expense Settings.
On the Company Settings page, find the Manage Business Expense Types section.
Click Edit.
Update the mileage or per diem rate as needed.
Save your changes.

What happens next

After you save your changes, the updated mileage or per diem rate will be used for new business expense submissions going forward.

Expenses that were submitted before the update will not be recalculated. They will continue using the rate that was active when they were originally submitted.

Troubleshooting

The updated rate is not showing on an older expense
- Older expenses are not updated retroactively. Only expenses submitted after the rate change will use the new rate.
Employees are already submitting business expenses
- You can still update the rate, but the new rate will only apply to future submissions.
Cannot find Expense Settings
- Make sure you are logged in with the correct Admin permissions and accessing Expense Admin from the left sidebar.

FAQs

Q: Should I set mileage and per diem rates before inviting employees?

A: Yes. Compt recommends configuring these rates before inviting team members to submit business expenses.

Q: Will updating a mileage rate change previously submitted expenses?

A: No. Previously submitted expenses will continue using the rate that was active at the time they were submitted.