--- title: How do I record and categorize expenses? description: Learn how to record expenses in Beam, upload receipts, categorize costs by project and cost code, and split expenses across multiple jobs. --- [Skip to content](https://faq.trybeam.com/how-to-capture-and-categorize-beam-card-receipts#main-content) ![Beam Dark Logo](https://faq.trybeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Beam%20Dark%20Logo.png?width=80&height=28&name=Beam%20Dark%20Logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [app.trybeam.com](https://app.trybeam.com/) [app.trybeam.com](https://app.trybeam.com/) How can we help? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Beam Help Center](https://faq.trybeam.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Beam Card](https://faq.trybeam.com/beam-card?hsLang=en) # How do I record and categorize expenses? ## Add expenses, upload receipts, assign projects and cost codes, and keep job costs accurate. Beam makes it easy to record expenses, upload receipts, and categorize costs to the correct project and cost code. You can enter expenses manually, upload a receipt, or use the Beam Card to automatically start the receipt capture process after a purchase. ### ![Screenshot 2026-06-26 at 8.51.47 AM](https://faq.trybeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%208.51.47%20AM.png?width=166&height=299&name=Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%208.51.47%20AM.png)Open Expenses To record an expense: 1. Click **More** in the top menu bar. 2. Select **Expenses**. 3. Choose one of the following options: - **Add Expense** to manually enter expense details. - **Upload Receipt** to start by uploading a receipt. ### Option 1: Upload a Receipt If you select **Upload Receipt**, you’ll begin by attaching a receipt to the expense. 1. Click **Upload Receipt**. 2. Take a photo or upload an existing receipt image. 3. Confirm the receipt upload. After the receipt is uploaded, continue by selecting the vendor and categorizing the expense. ![Screenshot 2026-06-26 at 8.59.58 AM](https://faq.trybeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%208.59.58%20AM.png?width=670&height=201&name=Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%208.59.58%20AM.png) ### Option 2: Add an Expense Manually If you select **Add Expense**, you’ll begin by entering the expense details manually, starting with the vendor. You can still upload a receipt while adding the expense manually. If the vendor already exists, select it from the list. If it’s a new vendor, type the vendor name and select **Create New** to add it. ![Screenshot 2026-06-26 at 9.05.23 AM](https://faq.trybeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%209.05.23%20AM.png?width=670&height=261&name=Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%209.05.23%20AM.png) ### Categorize the Expense Next, assign the expense to the correct project and cost code. For each line item, you can enter: - **Project** - **Cost Code\*** - **Description\*** - **Amount** \*denotes an optional item ### Split an Expense Across Multiple Projects If one purchase applies to more than one project, you can split the expense into multiple line items. Click **Add Line Item**, then enter the project, cost code, description, and amount for each portion of the expense. For example: **![IMG_5015](https://faq.trybeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_5015.png?width=195&height=422&name=IMG_5015.png)Line Item 1** - Project: 100 N Main Street - Cost Code: Plumbing - Description: Angle valves - Amount: $101.46 **Line Item 2** - Project: 145 Creek Valley Drive - Cost Code: Electrical - Description: Recessed lights - Amount: Remaining amount Beam will compare the transaction total to the line item total so you can confirm the expense is fully categorized before saving. You can click the three horizontal dots at the top right corner of the project entry to see the option to set to remaining amount.  ### Save the Expense Once all details are entered: 1. Review the receipt, vendor, project, cost code, description, and amount. 2. Confirm the line item total matches the expense total. 3. Click **Categorize** or **Save**. Your expense will now be recorded and linked to the correct project and cost code. ### Using the Beam Card for Faster Receipt Capture ![Screenshot 2026-06-26 at 8.54.42 AM](https://faq.trybeam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%208.54.42%20AM.png?width=196&height=424&name=Screenshot%202026-06-26%20at%208.54.42%20AM.png)If you use a **Beam Card**, receipt capture can begin automatically. After a Beam Card transaction, the cardholder receives a text notification with a link to upload the receipt and categorize the expense. From there, you can select the vendor, assign projects and cost codes, split the transaction if needed, and save the categorization. This helps keep expenses up to date as purchases happen, without needing to manually search for the transaction later. Review Uncategorized Expenses Any expenses that have not been categorized will appear in your expenses list. Open an uncategorized expense to upload a receipt, assign a vendor, select project and cost code details, and complete the categorization. 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