Tracking Your Purchase Requests

#Finding Your Purchase Requests

To view all your submitted purchase requests:

1. Open Light
2. Go to Purchase Orders in the main menu
3. You'll see a list of your requests with their current status

Each request shows:

• Item or purchase description
• Amount requested
• Status (see below)
• Date submitted
• Last updated date

#Understanding Request Statuses

Your purchase request will move through several statuses:

#Pending Approval

Your request is waiting for your finance or procurement team to review it. This typically takes 1-2 business days. During this time, you might see:

• Submitted: Request is in the queue
• Under Review: Someone is actively looking at it
• Pending More Info: Finance team needs additional details from you (check for messages)

#Approved

Your request has been approved! Here's what happens next:

• A Purchase Order is automatically created
• Your finance team may contact the vendor directly to place the order
• You'll receive details about the purchase order (PO number, delivery date estimates, etc.)
• The order is being processed—no further action needed from you usually

#Declined

Your request was not approved. You'll see a reason, which might be:

• Budget constraints
• Vendor not approved
• Incomplete information
• Policy issue

You can resubmit with changes or contact your manager to discuss.

#On Hold

Your request is temporarily paused. This might happen if:

• Your finance team has questions
• Additional approvals are needed
• Budget is being reallocated
• Vendor information needs clarification

Check the notes on your request to see why it's on hold.

#Messages and Notifications

When your request status changes, you'll receive:

• In-app notification: A notification in Light
• Email notification: An email to your work email address
• Request notes: Any messages from your finance team explaining the status

Read these messages carefully—they often include next steps or what you need to do.

#Following Up on Delayed Requests

If your request has been pending for more than 2 business days:

1. Go to Purchase Orders in Light
2. Tap your request
3. Look for a Contact Finance or Follow Up button
4. Send a message to your finance team asking for an update

Or reach out to your manager or finance team directly—they're happy to help.

#After Approval: Purchase Orders

Once approved, your request becomes a Purchase Order (PO). A purchase order is the official document that goes to the vendor. It includes:

• PO number
• Description of items
• Price and payment terms
• Delivery information
• Any special instructions

Your finance team handles communicating the PO to the vendor, but you might receive:

• Order confirmation emails from the vendor
• Tracking information if it's a shipment
• Invoice when the order is complete

#What If You Need to Change Your Request?

If you submitted a request but need to modify it:

• Before approval: You can edit details or add information while it's pending
• After approval: Contact your finance team if changes are needed—they may need to amend the purchase order

#Viewing Past Requests

Your complete history of purchase requests is stored in Light. You can filter by:

• Status (Approved, Declined, Pending)
• Date range
• Amount

This is helpful for:

• Budget tracking
• Vendor history
• Reviewing past approvals

#Getting Help

Questions about your purchase request status? Reach out to:

• Your manager: They know your budget and approval process
• Finance/Procurement team: They handle the approvals
• Light support: Check the Light app's help section if you have app-related questions

#Related Articles

• Filing a Purchase Request
• Your Light Card
• Card Spending Limits and Policies