SparkReceipt is used by individuals, freelancers and businesses of various sizes. For these reasons it is good practise to manage each individual’s access and visibility properly.
This article provides a tutorial on managing member access within SparkReceipt, ensuring you can make informed decisions on when to assign the roles of Accountant, Contributor or full-fledged Member based on your team’s requirements.
Understanding Access Levels
Before going deeper into the management of said access levels, it’s good to understand the distinction between the roles available in SparkReceipt:
Contributor: Ideal for individuals who need to upload expenses but should not access the entire team’s financial records. Contributors can only view and manage their own expense submissions, making this role perfect for team members who report expenses without the need for broader data visibility or edit permissions.
Member: Suited for those who require comprehensive access to all documents, including the ability to view, edit, and manage expenses across the team. This access level is typically reserved for team leaders, finance managers, or members who need to oversee and audit financial records comprehensively.
Owner: This is the founding member of the account, and can manage everything within it. They are considered the owner of the account’s data. Users with this access level cannot be invited, and there is always only one owner.
Accountant: An accountant is a special role that can view all expenses in the system and review and edit them as needed. Accountants are free with every SparkReceipt Pro plan. They can’t add their own expenses but can manage records otherwise quite freely.
Selecting the Right Access Level
When to Choose Contributor
Individual Contributors: For team members whose involvement with financial records is limited to submitting their own expenses, the Contributor role is the most appropriate. This ensures data privacy and reduces the risk of accidental edits or deletions of other members’ records.
Temporary Team Members: In scenarios where temporary staff or interns need to report expenses during their tenure, assigning them as Contributors helps maintain the integrity of your financial data while allowing them to fulfill their reporting duties.
Large Teams: In larger teams where only a few individuals need to oversee financial records, setting the majority as Contributors can simplify management and enhance data security.
When to Choose Member
Team Leaders and Managers: Individuals responsible for budget oversight, financial reporting, or expense approval should be assigned the Member role to ensure they have the necessary access to perform their duties effectively.
Finance and Accounting Teams: Members of the finance or accounting department who require access to all records for bookkeeping, auditing, or reimbursement processes should be given Member access to facilitate their work.
Project Managers: For those managing specific projects with a need to oversee related expenses, Member access allows for comprehensive review and management of financial records pertinent to their projects.
When to Choose Accountant
Dedicated Financial Professionals: The Accountant role is tailored for professionals who are responsible for the detailed financial scrutiny of all expenses. This access level is ideal for those whose primary role involves financial analysis, auditing, and ensuring the accuracy of expense reports.
Auditing and Compliance: For individuals tasked with ensuring that all expenses comply with company policies and regulatory standards, the Accountant role provides the necessary tools to review, edit, and mark expenses as “reviewed,” signifying their completion of the auditing process.
Financial Reporting and Analysis: When there’s a need to generate comprehensive financial reports or download documents for in-depth analysis, the Accountant role enables these critical tasks. This access level supports the creation of detailed reports that can aid in decision-making and financial planning.
Managing Access Levels in SparkReceipt
Inviting New Members
To invite a new member, navigate to the ‘Account & Users’ section within your SparkReceipt web application dashboard and select ‘Invite Member’. Enter the invitee’s email address and choose their role from the dropdown menu before sending the invitation.
Changing Access Levels
If a team member’s role within your organization changes, you can easily adjust their access level in SparkReceipt. Simply go to the ‘Account & Users’ section, find the member whose access level needs modification, and select ‘Edit’. From there, you can change their role between Accountant, Contributor and Member, depending on their new responsibilities.
Revoking Access
In situations where a team member no longer requires access to SparkReceipt, you can revoke their access entirely by selecting their profile in the ‘Account & Users’ section and choosing ‘Remove’. This ensures that only current and relevant team members have access to your financial records.
Conclusion
Managing member access levels in SparkReceipt is important to maintaining integrity, privacy, and security of your account’s data. By assigning roles based on individual responsibilities and needs, you can simultaneously have a collaborative environment that respects data privacy and enables the team to manage expenses efficiently.
