• Banking

Zeller Corporate Cards: A Winning Hand for Managing Business Expenses

5 min. read03.12.2023
By Team Zeller

The petty cash box is empty, you can’t find the business credit card, and you’re up to your knees in receipts. Thankfully there’s an easier way to manage team and project expenses. Meet Zeller Corporate Cards.

If you’ve ever checked your bank balance at the end of the week, you know how quickly incidental expenses can add up. Now imagine a team of employees, each with their own needs: a round of coffees for clients, a flight for an upcoming conference, a grocery order for the office, a software subscription. The list goes on. If you’re not staying on top of these purchases, not only is it going to hurt your bottom line, but it’s also going to cause many a headache when it comes to your end-of-month finance reconciliation.

Thankfully, there’s a simple way to track who’s spending what, and it doesn’t involve flashing corporate credit cards or leveraging sophisticated expense management software. Zeller Corporate Cards are designed to help businesses – and finance teams – stay in control of employee and project-related expenses, while also giving staff the freedom to make necessary purchases. Read on to discover how Zeller Corporate Cards will give you back money, time and peace of mind.

Introducing corporate cards

Not to be confused with corporate credit cards or corporate debit cards (learn what these are here), corporate cards are payment cards linked to a business’s transaction account, and are specifically designed for employees or teams to be able to pay for business expenses. A finance team or CFO can easily order multiple cards, assign them to employees, and individually adjust their spending limits. In addition, they typically have built-in expense management features like recurring budgets that reset periodically, set transaction limits, and tools to help cardholders track and manage their expenses.

Zeller Corporate Cards can be created from Zeller Dashboard. Simply follow the prompts to create a new Corporate Card, assign the card to an employee, set the spend limits and choose your card colour. It’s as simple as that. Your card can then be added to your employee’s mobile wallet or a physical card can be ordered.

Adding a new Zeller Corporate Card

What are the benefits of using Zeller Corporate Cards in your business?

1. Flexibility for staff

With Zeller’s corporate card program, your staff are empowered to make purchases as they need them. Rather than having to ask your permission every time they need to process a payment, or paying with their own money and submitting an expense report for reimbursement, a corporate card will give them the freedom to pay for expenses, within the limits that you prescribe.

2. Reduced financial admin

Without the burden of having to process employee reimbursements, administrative time is greatly reduced. With Zeller Corporate Cards, all your expenses are centralised into one dashboard, where finance teams can easily and efficiently track who has spent what.

3. Improved tracking

Every corporate card is assigned to an individual employee, team, or project, meaning that it's easy to track and isolate expenditure into different areas of your business. Employees will know that their spend is being monitored, engendering a greater sense of responsibility and ownership over expense management — as everything will be traced back to them. What’s more, businesses can choose to make it mandatory for employees to provide certain information, such as the expense category (‘travel’ or ‘entertainment’, for example), the receipt, and a note (with additional information or reasons as to why the purchase was made).

4. Receipt reconciliation

With Zeller Corporate Cards, employees can log in to their account on Zeller App or Zeller Dashboard, take a photo of multiple receipts, including tax invoices and transaction receipts, and upload them to a transaction processed with a Zeller Corporate Card. Not only does this do away with having to collect paper receipts, which can get lost or damaged, but it also saves a huge amount of time when it comes to reconciling receipts against their transactions.

5. Cash flow management

Zeller Corporate Cards draw money directly from Zeller Transaction Account, which means that you can track your business cash flow in real time. Unlike a corporate credit card which draws on borrowed funds that you need to pay back later (with interest), corporate cards ensure you always know your business’s cash balance – with no hidden surprises at the end of the month. What’s more, you can see a visual representation of your cash flow from both Zeller Dashboard and Zeller App.

6. Budget control for projects

Instead of assigning a card to an employee, Zeller Corporate Cards can also be assigned to individual projects. This allows all expenses for a specific project to be paid for on one card, ensuring that the budget is adhered to and that finance teams or managers can easily identify costs directly associated with that project.

7. Fraud protection

By allocating corporate cards against individual employees, or by teams or projects, you are able to implement a greater level of fraud protection in your business. You’ll know exactly who is using each corporate card, what the card is being used for, and why — meaning any examples of expenses that fall outside of these guidelines can be identified immediately.

8. Mobile management

With Zeller App, you can create and manage cards directly from your smartphone. If a team member needs to pay for a large expense above their usual transaction limit, you can quickly log in to the app and make the necessary changes within a few clicks. The same goes for issuing cards, if you’ve got a new employee or volunteer on the team, simply log in to Zeller App to add a new card, which – if you choose the virtual option – they can start using immediately.

9. Instant virtual card creation

Zeller Corporate Cards can be created and added to a mobile wallet instantly. Your employees can start using their virtual card within minutes of you setting it up, meanwhile you can have a physical card sent out in the mail, if you wish. This convenient solution is not only fast to set up, but also ensures your employees will never lose their card.

10. Affordability

In comparison to corporate credit card schemes which can cost upwards of $25 per card with establishment fees and late payment charges, or expense management software, which is likely to set you back hundreds of dollars a year, Zeller Corporate Cards are an affordable alternative. There are no monthly or annual subscription fees, and no transaction fees on domestic purchases either. The first 60 days are free, after which you will pay one low, flat cost of $9 per corporate card, per month.


Whether you’re running a small business with just a few staff or a rapidly growing company: managing your expenses doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be controlled. Reduce your administrative burden, empower your employees and know where your money is going, all with Zeller Corporate Cards.

Try Zeller Corporate Cards free for the first 60 days

Learn more

How to Play Your Cards Right: Business Credit, Debit & Expense Cards Explained

Issuing payment cards to employees for business-related spending is a great way of simplifying expense management in the workplace. What’s less simple, however, is understanding the different card types available to businesses. From corporate credit cards to business debit cards, prepaid cards, and expense cards, there’s a bit to get your head around. Below we explain the difference between the most common card types and provide a list of pros and cons for each. Business Credit Cards Business credit cards  are designed for businesses to cover work-related expenses with funds borrowed from an issuing bank. They often provide rewards such as cash rebates or a points program and are available to businesses of all sizes, typically without any minimum annual revenue or spending threshold requirements. They do, however, require a credit check and often a personal guarantee, meaning the business owner is liable for all debt. Because of the risk of misuse, business credit cards are usually only held by business owners, or authorised personnel, not employees. Corporate Debit Cards & Business Debit Cards A  corporate debit card , or  business debit card  is linked to a business’s transaction account. When a transaction is made, funds are deducted from the available balance of the company’s bank account. When a business owner  opens a business bank account , they will receive a business debit card. Unlike credit cards, they are not linked to a line of credit, and spending is limited to what is available within the account. Most debit card issuers don’t offer the ability to easily modify spend limits on individual cards, meaning that whoever has access to the debit card, can access all the funds on it. Prepaid Cards & Expense Cards A  corporate prepaid card, otherwise known as a business expense card, or employee expense card is a payment card that has been preloaded with funds, allowing businesses to control employee spending. These cards are typically very easy to get, with no paperwork or application process required. Prepaid cards are managed by the finance team or CFO, topped up as necessary, and assigned to employees to give them access to company funds. Zeller Corporate Cards Similar to prepaid cards,  Zeller Corporate Cards  are designed for businesses as a convenient way to track and regulate spending while providing employees with a secure and flexible payment method. These cards are linked to your  Zeller Transaction Accounts , and are managed by the finance team or CFO who can set maximum spend limits per transaction and per day, week, fortnight, month, or quarter. Additional cards are very easy to issue (virtual cards can be issued instantly from Zeller Dashboard, or Zeller App), and can be assigned to employees as necessary. Zeller Corporate Cards: Do not require a credit check to qualify Can be set up in minutes Allow you to set spend limits and recurring budgets, reducing admin time Provide a layer of security if cards are lost or stolen Are accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted Do not need to be topped up with funds – cards draw funds directly from the transaction account, but only within the card's pre-defined limits. Learn more about the benefits of Zeller Corporate Cards here What card types are best for managing team spending? Although it’s common practice for businesses to share one business credit or debit card, and to pass it around to employees as they need it, this is not recommended. Not only do you run a greater risk of losing the card, but also, company money could be used irresponsibly. When choosing a card type for managing work-related expenses for your team, it’s important to choose one that has been designed for that purpose. Corporate credit cards are a good option, however, given their strict eligibility requirements, they remain largely inaccessible to many businesses.  The best option for managing team spending is either prepaid or expense cards, or even better: Zeller Corporate Cards .  These options give your employees the flexibility to pay for work-related expenses without the risk. You remain entirely in control of how much your employees have access to. With Zeller Corporate Cards, you will benefit from robust expense management features, which allow employees to easily upload receipts against their transactions, and employers to control spending limits and reconcile expenses from their desktop or Zeller's mobile app. Additional cards are easy to order, and Zeller supports virtual cards, which employees can add to their mobile wallets.

Spend Smarter with the New Zeller Debit Card

Meet your powerful new business Debit Card. Without fast access to your takings, business cash flow can stagnate. Having the ability to make purchases and spend funds when you need to is critical to keeping the operational wheels of your business moving. When you sign up free for Zeller, you get a free Zeller Debit Card as well as real-time transaction tracking — simplifying bookkeeping, and making expense management a much easier task. Keep reading to discover how it works. The fastest way to access your funds Zeller offers a full suite of products to support all of your business’ financial needs. Using your Zeller Terminal in conjunction with your Zeller Transaction Account and Zeller Debit Card is the quickest way to get access to your takings — speeding up cash flow so you can purchase stock and pay bills and suppliers fast. Or, spend other funds settled to your Zeller Transaction Account from invoices paid to streamline your business spending. Funds accepted via Zeller Terminal are settled to your Zeller Transaction Account nightly, 365 days a year, and then instantly available to spend with your Zeller Debit Card. Features of your new business Debit Card Zeller Debit Card is the powerful new spending card linked to your Zeller Transaction Account, replacing the Zeller Mastercard. There are plenty of new features and tools you can utilise to streamline your business spending, manage expenses, make it easier for staff to make purchases on your behalf, and much more. The new Zeller Debit Card can be used in conjunction with your Transaction Accounts as a standalone replacement to your traditional business bank. It’s one of a number of new and improved products that mark Zeller’s shift to become a full-service financial services provider. Fast setup Your Zeller Debit Card will be shipped to you, fast and free, when you sign up for Zeller. There’s no paperwork, or need to visit a bank branch. Signing up takes just a few minutes online. You can also order additional Zeller Debit Cards and issue them to your employees so they can make business purchases in-store and online. Create and assign virtual cards With Zeller, you can create virtual cards in seconds. Rather than wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail, simply log in to Zeller Dashboard, create a new virtual card instantly, then add it to your mobile wallet. Make purchases in-store and online Use your Zeller Debit Card to make purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted — whether that's in-store or online. You can even attach invoices, receipts or notes to transactions made, to help streamline reconciliation and bookkeeping — and get a clearer understanding of every business expense. Track who you’re spending money with Tracking purchases made by staff is simple, with up-to-the-minute transaction lists available in both Zeller Dashboard and Zeller App (coming soon). Plus, Zeller Debit Card works hand in hand with Zeller Contact Directory , Zeller’s in-built contact management system. Purchases made using Zeller Debit Card will appear in transaction lists, complete with information about the business where the purchase was made. This functionality empowers you to track where your money is being spent, and better understand the business you spend with. Streamline reconciliation Budgeting is something every business owner must have a handle on. Zeller makes reconciliation simple by enabling you to leave notes and attach receipts to transactions, so you know the context behind each purchase. Information about the purchases made using your Zeller Debit Card can also be pushed to your Xero organisation via up-to-the-minute Xero Bank Feeds to simplify your bookkeeping and expense management, making tax time that much easier. Add to your mobile wallet With the new Zeller Debit Card, you can leave your wallet at home and make purchases with a tap of your mobile device. When Zeller App launches, Android users will be able to add Zeller Debit Card to their digital wallet. Functionality enabling iOS users to do the same is coming soon. Remote card management If you (or your staff) ever lose or misplace a card, simply lock it from Zeller Dashboard or Zeller App (coming soon). Placing a lock on your Zeller Debit Card will instantly prevent it from being used. Once found, the lock can also be removed by you — there’s no need to speak to our Support team, yet we’re always on hand to help if you need. No strings attached Zeller Debit Card is free for businesses to use — with unlimited purchases, no monthly account fees, no paperwork or need to visit a bank, and no lock-in contracts. It’s the optimal solution for growing businesses wanting to streamline spending without the hassle. Earn cashback rewards When you spend with Zeller Debit Card, you’ll receive regular rewards and cashback benefits from your favourite suppliers, restaurants and retailers, exclusive to card holders. Simplify your business spending today Sign up for your free Zeller Debit Card online and we’ll ship it to you, fast and free. Then, activate your card and begin spending in minutes. Or, purchase your Zeller Terminal Kit — complete with Zeller Terminal, Zeller Debit Card and Zeller Transaction Account — so you can process in-person and over-the-phone payments seamlessly and securely.

10 Reasons Why You Should Switch to a Zeller Transaction Account

Gone are the days when managing your money was synonymous with paperwork, bank tellers, and hidden fees. Enter the new age of business finance with Zeller. In the same way that video streaming platforms replaced movie rental shops, online-only financial service solutions are rapidly becoming the preferred alternative to traditional, outdated business banks. While the idea of perusing aisles of dusty DVDs may fill us with a warm nostalgia, no one is mourning the loss of queuing at the bank. Zeller is one such digital financial institution tailored to Australian businesses. From securely storing and saving your funds to paying employees, invoices and bills, Zeller’s free  Transaction Account has everything you’ve come to expect from a traditional bank account, but with less fuss, and more features designed with the unique needs of business owners in mind. If you’re tired of inefficient processes, paperwork, and complex fee schedules, here’s ten reasons why you should make the switch to a Zeller Transaction Account today. 1. It takes less than 6 minutes to sign up. If you’re 18 years or older, have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or are a Sole Trader, you’ll be able to sign up in a matter of minutes. The process to sign up for a Zeller Account is simple, and done entirely online. All you’ll need is a current passport or Australian drivers’ licence. Once your identity has been verified, you’ll be able to create your own Zeller Transaction Account – with a BSB and account number – as well as your Zeller Dashboard, where you can access and manage all other Zeller services. For more complex business types such as a trust or company, our team may reach out to you to request some additional information. 2. It’s free. Once your Transaction Account is up and running, there are no monthly fees, and no lock-in contracts. You will only ever pay a fee if you choose to start accepting payments via Zeller EFTPOS Terminal (1.4% per in-person payment, or 1.7% for over-the-phone payments) and/or Zeller Invoices (1.7% + $0.25 per transaction). What’s the catch? There isn’t one. Read more about our transparent pricing here . 3. Create unlimited debit cards and sub-accounts. Zeller Transaction Account is designed to be configured to your unique business needs. You can create as many sub-accounts and Zeller Debit Cards as you like, at no additional cost. You may choose to open one sub-account for storing operating funds, one for tax savings, and one for profits for example. Or, if your team has to regularly pay for expenses, you might create sub-accounts for each member of staff, and then give them each a Zeller Debit Card. Rather than dealing with petty cash or expense claims, Zeller Debit Cards – which can be physical or virtual – take the hassle out of team expenses, while also giving you complete control. Unlike with traditional banks, Zeller cardholders are not required to be signatories on the account, which means only you, as the business owner, will have admin access to your Zeller Transaction Account. 4. See your cash position at a glance with visual charts and quick-access insights. From your Zeller Dashboard, you can access a real-time, single-page overview of your business financial position. A simple chart tracks your end-of-day balance over the last 90 days, allowing you to quickly identify spending patterns and make informed business decisions such as rostering, inventory orders or the best time to push marketing. On the same page, you will find a preview of your most recent transactions, as well as the cash position of all your sub-accounts and debit cards. 5. Pay bills with BPAY. BPAY is an easy and secure way to manage and pay bills online. From your Zeller Transaction Account, you can assign contacts to bills paid with BPAY to track expenses over time, as well as reconcile bill payments with BPAY through Zeller and Xero Bank Feeds. Unlike many banks and other financial institutions, BPAY with Zeller is entirely free to use. Plus you benefit from the combined security of BPAY and Zeller to give you extra peace of mind. 6. Attach invoices, receipts and notes to transactions. Get the full picture when it comes time to do your taxes, reconcile your expenses, or find proof of purchase, thanks to Zeller’s handy feature that lets you attach invoices, receipts or notes to your transactions. Rather than storing payment records or important information relating to transactions in a folder somewhere, store them right alongside the transactions themselves where they can be accessed from anywhere you have an internet connection. It will keep you organised, reduce paper (better for the environment!), and save you time in the long run. 7. Assign contacts and customers to each transaction. Zeller Contact Directory lets you store business and personal details, and assign them to relevant transactions. Whether you’re transferring money, taking a payment, searching for a previous transaction or comparing how much you spend at various businesses, Zeller makes it easy to identify payers or payees. Simply select a contact to view your shared transaction history or direct a transfer. 8. Send invoices and receive online payments. Every Transaction Account holder has access to Zeller’s all-in-one invoicing solution . From Zeller Dashboard, you can choose to create or import a library of items, build customised invoices and send them immediately or at a later scheduled date via email or SMS. Your customers can then pay you securely via an online link using their debit or credit card – no need for bank details means you get paid faster. You can then track and report the payment status of your invoices or send automated reminders to make sure nothing goes unpaid. 9. Streamline your accounting with Xero. Whether you use Xero for invoicing, bookkeeping or both, Zeller’s integration with Xero keeps things simple. By connecting Zeller online payments to your Xero invoices, customers can pay in a click and you can receive your funds directly into your Zeller Transaction Account. Plus, you can sync your Zeller transaction and settlement data with Xero Bank Feeds making end-of-month reconciliation a breeze. 10. Access your business finances on the go with Zeller App. Access your business finances from a tablet or smartphone with Zeller’s top-rated app . From tracking sales and expenses to creating new accounts, issuing cards, and configuring account settings, Zeller’s full suite of tools and features is available from the palm of your hand. We understand that business owners are time-poor, which is exactly why we’ve carefully designed this app to allow you to manage all your finances on the go, simply and securely. If you’re an existing Zeller customer, simply log into your Zeller Account to create a new, free Transaction Account today. If you are not yet using Zeller, sign up for free here and start growing your business with Zeller’s suite of financial tools.

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