Chrome River Expense Reporting
Chrome River is live!
The University of Michigan has upgraded its expense reporting system to a new software solution called Chrome River, which is live as of August 1, 2024. The previous expense management system, Concur, is being retired on September 30, 2024.
Why did we change expense reporting systems?
This initiative directly responded to campus and partner feedback, desiring a system with:
- Better functionality, service, and user experience
- Streamlined integration with new travel partner (Collegiate Travel Planners)
- More sophisticated reporting
In partnership with the Shared Services Center, Information & Technology Services, and collaborators across campus and Michigan Medicine, this initiative aims to provide a “Next in Class” expense reporting experience for all users.
Default Expense Report Approvers
Default expense report approvers have been loaded into Chrome River. When loading approvers into Chrome River, the following process was followed:
- Approvers were transferred from Concur profiles (Default Expense Report Approver 1 as of July 12)
- If there was no Concur default approver, the Supervisor in the employee’s MPathways HR profile was used
- If no Supervisor was identified in MPathways, the Department Manager in MPathways was used
If a department needs to make an update to a Chrome River approver:
- Reach out to the department manager to determine who the appropriate default approver should be.
- View the tableau report of Chrome River approvers to determine which employees an approver is listed for.
- Review the Chrome River: Default Approver job aid for instructions on how to submit an update request.
- Submit approver update requests through the Expense Report Default Approver Change Request form.
If you are unable to submit your report with your current default approver, you have three options:
- Default Approver Override: Check the “Default Approver Override” box in the report header. Submit and add a trained approver when prompted.
- Update Default Approver: Request to change your default approver to one who is trained.
- Get Approver Trained: Contact your current approver and ask them to complete the Chrome River approver training course and assessment.
Training Opportunities
Register to attend one of our training sessions designed to introduce you to Chrome River and prepare you for the transition. To help you get the most out of this platform, we are offering a variety of sessions tailored to different skill levels and user roles. For those unable to attend, recorded sessions and resource materials will be made available after the completion of the training program.
Chrome River Approver Training
Required for individuals who review and approve expense reports, even if previously completed for Concur.
On-Demand: Ideal for individuals who review and approve expense reports, but would like to complete the training on their own time.
Introduction to Chrome River
Instructor Led: Ideal for all users who create expense reports for themselves or others. This session will cover the basics of navigation, expense creation, and report submission. There will be a live demo of the system, tips and tricks, and time for Q&A.
- September 18, 2024 – 11am-12pm – Register Here
Chrome River Office Hours
Ideal for users who use Chrome River to submit and/or approve expense reports. These virtual office hour/Q&A sessions are an opportunity to connect with the Expense team, ask questions, and get support for using Chrome River once the system goes live.
- September 23, 2024 – 2-3pm – Training/Demo Add to calendar
- October 8, 2024 – 10-11am – Office Hours Q&A Add to calendar
- October 23, 2024 – 2-3pm – Training/Demo Add to calendar
- November 6, 2024 – 2-3pm – Office Hours Q&A Add to calendar
- November 18, 2024 – 10-11am – Training/Demo Add to calendar
Zoom link for all sessions: https://umich.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 973 3097 6833
Passcode: 253097
SSC Expense Submission Process Training
Ideal for users who submit their expenses for themselves or others to the SSC (Shared Services Center) for expense report creation. This training covers the basics of submitting via the eForm, accessing your ticket and submitting your report once the SSC creates it. *If you approve reports for your department that are created by the SSC, you will need to take one of the Chrome River Approver Training options.
For more information on the SSC report creation process and eForm updates, please visit the SSC website.
Important Dates
| Action | Concur Date | Chrome River Date |
| SSC Users | Final day to request PCard/CTA transactions to be reconciled in Concur: 8/21/2024 | Begin creating all possible reports in Chrome River: 8/1/2024 |
| Expense reports with PCard/CTA transactions (mileage and per diem will be allowable) | Final day to submit AND approve in Concur: 9/15/2024 | First day to create in Chrome River: 8/1/2024 (will only contain transactions loaded 7/16 and later) |
| Old expense reports in Concur | Final day to access: 9/30/2024 | (Information on accessing Concur expense reports after September 30 will be available soon.) |
Announcements
- Chrome River is live!—Resources, dates, and support – Read more here
- The University Record: New expense reporting system coming in August – Read more here
- Chrome River Update from Procurement Services AVP, CPO & Shared Services Center AVP – Read more here
- Chrome River training available in June – Read more here
- Get a sneak peek at Chrome River (U-M’s new expense reporting system) – Read more here
- U-M’s expense reporting software to be upgraded this summer – Read more here
Resources
- Chrome River Expense Reporting System – Access Chrome River via Single Sign-On through Wolverine Access.
-
Chrome River KnowledgeBase – Visit the landing page for work instructions and additional support.
Policies/Guidelines
-
Expense reporting webpage – Visit the Procurement Services expense reporting webpage for announcements, policy information, and FAQ.
- Chrome River best practices webpage – Visit the Procurement Services Chrome River webpage for information on best practices and how to use the expense reporting system.