Member Expense & Reimbursement Policy


Members Member Expense & Reimbursement Policy
Expense Approval

The following policy applies to any expenses for which members seek reimbursement from RICS Americas.

RICS Americas operates within a fixed budget over a fiscal year. This budget cannot fund all activities proposed by members.

Any reimbursable expense must be pre-approved in writing by a Director of RICS Americas. Any member who seeks to incur an expense on behalf of RICS Americas (e.g., by attending a meeting or underwriting an event) may submit a proposal to the RICS Americas Finance Manager, using the Expense Form attached below. Any expense not pre-approved by a Director in writing will not be reimbursed.

A decision to approve the expenses may be made on, but is not limited to: current budget expenditures, calendar, short and long-term goals of the organization. Every expense proposal must present a business case for the expense, demonstrating the following:
  • Compliance with RICS’s global mission and brand guidelines;
  • Compliance with RICS Americas’ strategy and priorities to serve the global mission;
  • Return On Investment (ROI).
Priority will be given to activities that maximize achievement of objectives and ROI. Core objectives include the following:
  • Regulate and promote the property professions
  • Set and maintain the highest educational and professional standards
  • Protect clients and consumers through a strict code of ethics
  • Provide impartial advice, analysis and guidance
  • Develop the membership
  • Increase visibility of the RICS brand
RICS Americas may also consider risk (financial or brand) in evaluation of any proposal. Thus proposals should include timing and estimated budget for contingencies.


Expense Reimbursement: Policies
  1. All expenses submitted to RICS Americas for payment must be accompanied by both an expense report, which can be found on our website at www.ricsamericas.org/memberexpenses, and also a receipt for each expense item listed.
  2. RICS will only reimburse members for economy air travel for any flight of 7 hours or less. Anyone who travels business class or first class will have to pay the difference between economy and the class in which they travel. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
  3. RICS will reimburse members for reasonable meals, lodging and transportation only on days required for events and/or meetings.
  4. Members and staff will be reimbursed up to $200/night for hotel charges. Any charges above $200/night will need to be pre-approved by a Director.
  5. RICS Americas will not reimburse any recreational activities including and not limited to rounds of golf, tennis games, professional sports events, etc.
  6. RICS Americas members are responsible for scheduling their own travel unless otherwise notified.
  7. RICS Americas will not reimburse for guests or companions travelling with a member.
  8. RICS Americas does not reimburse for the purchase of books, magazines or newspapers, gifts or souvenirs.
  9. RICS Americas will not reimburse members for laundry and/or dry cleaning while travelling.
  10. Expenses must be submitted within 90 days from when the expenses are incurred. All expense reports must be sent to Ann Maguire, Finance Manager, via mail or email at amaguire@rics.org.