Susie, a Newly Graduated BBA in Accounting, Has Started a New

question 70

Essay

Susie, a newly graduated BBA in accounting, has started a new job with the state budgeting office. Susie has responsibility over expense reimbursements. The state has a travel policy stating that a state employee may be reimbursed up to $90 per night for a hotel room and up to $40 per day for meals, as long as the employee turns in food receipts. The first expense account Susie works on the employee who has a hotel receipt for $130 a night but no food expenses. Susie processes the reimbursement for $90. The employee becomes irate as his reading of the travel policy is that he can be reimbursed for $130 a night for hotel and food with a receipt. The employee claims this has never been a problem in the past and has always been reimbursed $130 a night whether for hotel only or both hotel and food.
What should Susie do and why? Use ethical reasoning to support your answer.

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Definitions:

Undifferentiated

Marketing strategy that targets a broad market with a generic message and product, ignoring segment differences.

Break-even

The point at which total costs and total revenues are equal, resulting in no net loss or gain for a business.

Geographical Sales Territories

Designated regions or areas assigned to sales representatives as their specific area of responsibility.

Income Distribution

The way in which a nation’s total earnings are divided among its population, or the distribution of wealth among individuals in a society.