What is the difference between Expense Management and Audit Workbench in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations?

Expense Management and Audit Workbench in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O) serve complementary but distinct purposes. Expense Management focuses on preventing non-compliant expenses at the point of submission by enforcing policies, validations, and approval workflows. Audit Workbench, on the other hand, is designed to detect issues after expenses are created or approved by analyzing expense data against audit policies. Together, they provide a layered control model that combines prevention with continuous oversight.

Can Audit Workbench detect duplicate expense reports in D365 F&O?

Yes, Audit Workbench in D365 F&O can be configured to detect duplicate expense reports. Audit policies can evaluate expense data using criteria such as expense category, transaction date, amount, and employee. When potential duplicates are identified, Audit Workbench generates audit cases that group related expense reports together for review. This helps organizations reduce the risk of duplicate reimbursements and strengthen financial controls without relying on manual reviews.

Do audit policies in D365 F&O block expense submissions?

No, audit policies do not block expense submissions in D365 F&O. Expense submissions are governed by Expense Management policies and workflows. Audit policies run separately in Audit Workbench and are used to flag exceptions for review, not to prevent transactions from being submitted or approved. This separation allows organizations to maintain a smooth employee experience while still meeting audit and compliance requirements.

How often can audits run in Audit Workbench?

Audit policies in Audit Workbench can run on a flexible, recurring schedule based on business needs. Organizations can configure audits to run daily, weekly, or at custom intervals. This enables continuous auditing rather than relying solely on month-end or quarter-end reviews. Running audits more frequently allows finance teams to identify and address issues earlier, often before reimbursements are finalized.

How are audit findings tracked and resolved in D365 F&O?

When Audit Workbench identifies an exception, it creates an audit case that serves as a centralized workspace for review and resolution. Each audit case includes the triggering policy, related expense reports or lines, status tracking, and documentation such as notes and follow-up actions. Finance and audit teams can track cases from identification through resolution, creating a clear audit trail that supports internal controls and external audit requirements.

Sunit Parikh

Senior Solution Architect

Sunit Parikh is a Senior Solutions Architect at Rand Group with extensive experience designing and delivering complex, global ERP implementations across diverse industries. He specializes in Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management (D365 F&SCM), working with cross-functional teams to align technology strategies with business goals and drive operational efficiency. With a strong background in system integration, financial process optimization, and end-to-end implementation planning, Sunit is known for delivering scalable ERP solutions that support growth and informed decision-making.

Content by this author follows Rand Group's Editorial Policy, including expert review for accuracy and real-world applicability.

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