Managers in Float oversee spending across people and teams. They can manage cards, approve spending, and review transactions — but their visibility and access depend on how they're assigned.
This article explains what Managers can see and do, how direct and team manager assignments work, and how they’re used in workflows.
To learn how to assign or update a user's role to Manager, see Assign or Update a Manager Role in Float
What Managers Can See and Do
Direct Managers can:
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Manage their own and their direct reports' cards and transactions
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Pause and unpause their own and their direct reports' cards
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Approve Spend Requests according to the Approval Policy configuration
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Review transactions according to the Transaction Review Policy configuration
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Everything a Spender can do. See: User Roles
Direct vs Team Managers
There are different manager types in Float, and a user can be both.
Direct Manager
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Assigned on a user’s profile in the Manager field
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Can see and edit all cards and all transactions belonging to their direct reports
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Often used in approval or review workflows
Team Manager
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Assigned to a specific Team
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Can see and edit all cards assigned to their team
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Can see and edit all transactions tagged to their team, even if the card used is not associated with that team
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Cannot see or edit transactions on their team’s cards if those transactions are tagged to a different team
Example 1: A transaction on a card assigned to Team A and tagged to Team A is visible to the Team A manager
Example 2: A transaction on a card assigned to Team A but tagged to Team B is not visible to the Team A manager
Example 3: A transaction on a card not assigned to Team A but tagged to Team A is visible to the Team A manager
Visibility Summary
| Manager Type | Sees Cards From... | Sees Transactions From... |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Manager | Their direct reports | Their direct reports |
| Team Manager | Their team’s cards | Any transaction tagged to their team |
Requirements for Being a Manager
To be set as a direct manager or team manager, a user must have the "Manager" role.
To learn how to assign this role, see Assign or Update a Manager Role in Float
Managers in Workflows
Managers can be added to:
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Approval policies for spend requests and reimbursements
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Transaction review workflows, where they’re automatically notified to review team or direct report expenses
Float checks manager relationships when applying workflow logic. If a direct manager is listed on a user profile, they are automatically included in any approval or review policy that uses the "Manager" condition.
To learn more, see:
Approval Policies Overview
Create Teams & Track Spending
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t a team manager see some transactions on their team’s cards?
They can only see transactions if they’re tagged to their team. If a transaction on a team-assigned card is tagged to another team, they won’t see it.
Can team managers see transactions from other cards?
Yes — if a transaction is tagged to their team, they can see it, even if the card isn’t associated with their team.
Why does a direct manager have more visibility than a team manager?
Direct managers are tied to users, not teams, so they have full visibility into their direct reports’ cards and transactions.
How can I make sure a team manager sees a transaction?
Make sure the transaction is tagged to the same team the manager oversees.
Why can’t I assign someone as a manager?
They must have the "Manager" role before they can be assigned as a direct or team manager.
Related Articles
Assign or Update a Manager Role in Float
User Roles
Create Teams & Track Spending