Sometimes an expense is rejected by mistake - for example the approver clicked “Reject” instead of “Request changes”. This creates delays and unnecessary rework. Here’s how to solve it quickly and avoid repeated issues.
Quick resolution
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Check the rejection reason
- Look at the rejection comment to confirm if it was a mistake.
- In case of need ask the person that made the rejection.
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Reset the approval flow (recommended)
- An Admin can reset the approval flow of the rejected expense.
- This sends the expense back to the beginning of its approval process, so it can be reviewed and approved again without the employee having to resubmit everything.
- Always add a comment (for audit purposes) explaining that the reset was due to an accidental rejection.
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As a fallback: employee resubmits
- If resetting isn’t possible or the admin prefers a clean record, the employee can create a new expense.
- They should reference the rejected expense in the description.
How to prevent repeated mistakes
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Encourage use of “Request changes”
- Approvers should use “Request changes” when details are missing or incorrect, and keep “Reject” only for clear violations (out of policy, fraudulent, duplicate).
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Always leave a comment when rejecting
- Require approvers to write a clear reason when rejecting. This helps employees and admins decide whether a reset or resubmission is appropriate.
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Review training needs
- If one approver rejects incorrectly often, check whether they understand the approval options and provide guidance.
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Approval flow setup
- Keep approval flows role-based (e.g. Manager, Admin) where possible, to reduce single-person bottlenecks and mistakes.
When to contact Factorial Support
Reach out to Support if:
- Resetting the flow does not work or produces unexpected behavior.
- You suspect a UI problem (for example, the wrong button action).
- Approval assignments do not match the intended roles.
Best practice: If an expense was rejected by mistake, reset the approval flow. It’s faster and keeps all records in one place, ensuring smooth month-end closing.