2018 Review of SpringAhead Expense Management

From the 2018 review of Travel & Expense Management systems.

SpringAhead is a time and expense tracking product that also offers expense report creation. SpringAhead is best suited for mid-sized businesses that need to track time and expenses for a number of employees.

SpringAhead is a web-based application that can be used on a variety of platforms. The product offers good expense tracking capability, with the user interface designed to resemble an expense report. The product does not offer the ability to snap a photo of receipts, but users can upload or fax receipts to be stored in the archive and later accessed as the expense report is being created. All uploaded receipt images are then matched with the corresponding accounting transaction using SmartVault, which integrates with SpringAhead. Users can also choose to add annotations to each transaction for future reference and the application also has the ability to easily split and itemize transactions.

SpringAhead supports multiple user access levels, with administrators able to set up access levels during the product setup process, including multiple approvers. Users can easily use multiple currencies when preparing expense reports and the product offers automatic conversion of any foreign currency amounts entered.

SpringAhead’s true focus is on timesheets and time tracking, offering an employee timesheet that is accessible from the web, and also includes multiple time tracking modes, with options for daily, weekly, time in/time out, and clock-in/clock-out options. Users can also track time by task, and managers can easily manage multiple employees using different time tracking methods from a single location, even contract employees. SpringAhead does not offer automatic mileage tracking, though users can easily enter any associated mileage. The product does not currently offer integration with any mileage or travel apps.

SpringAhead can connect to any banking institute, automatically downloading transactions directly from both credit card and banking institutions. Users can also upload banking transactions directly from a file if desired.

SpringAhead offers users a variety of options to customize the approval process, with administrators able to create a single approver or multiple approvers, with a custom workflow created as well. Approvers can be set up using a variety of criteria, including employee, project, or dollar amount, with timesheets and reports automatically funneled to the appropriate approver(s). A variety of other control options can also be created in SpringAhead, including reimbursement rate controls and expense controls, which can be instituted for any expense account. Both SpringAhead users and administrators will receive email notifications regarding the status of timesheets and reports submitted, eliminating unnecessary questions. Users can create invoices in their accounting software to expedite the employee reimbursement process.

SpringAhead offers good reporting capability, with a good selection of standard reporting options available. All SpringAhead reports offer drill-down capability, and users can easily export reports to a CSV file or to Microsoft Excel for further customization. Reports can be restricted by user, so users will only see the reports that directly pertain to their position. Reports can also be saved as a PDF if desired.

SpringAhead integrates with all Windows versions of QuickBooks including the U.S., Canada, and UK editions as well as QuickBooks Online. The product also integrates with Sage 50, and Microsoft Dynamics as well as Paychex, SurePayroll, SmartVault, and recruiting software such as Bullhorn, Sendouts, MaxHire, and WinSearch.

SpringAhead overs a three-step approach with a series of videos designed to make the setup process a little easier. The SpringAhead Help Center offers users access to various support topics as well as a searchable knowledgebase. Training videos are available in the Help Center, and user guides are available as a downloadable PDF. Both implementation and administrator guides are available as well. SpringAhead offers toll-free support during regular business hours, or users can submit support questions via email as well.

SpringAhead is a good fit for mid-sized businesses that need to manage employee timesheets and track employee time, with the application offering good expense report processing as well. SpringAhead is currently priced at $50.00 per month for the first 10 licenses, with each additional license running $5.00 each.

2018 Star Rating 4.25 Stars