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Sometimes what's written on paperwork can be silly because it doesn't really matter and the cost to verify or correct stuff that is estimated costs more than an estimate. Other times it has to be more precise than is possible, so you have to figure out a good way to "estimate" it. Being inaccurate isn't always problem if the costs outweigh the benefits of being accurate.

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> Being inaccurate isn't always problem if the costs outweigh the benefits of being accurate.

You're speaking of public money; the cost of inaccuracy is much greater than the amount of the inaccuracy itself, it erodes public trust.

Also, the difference between $15 and $600 can't be described as an "inaccuracy".

having worked in government the amount of time wasted to ensure that money wasn't wasted is itself quite wasteful.

I think there’s an important distinction. It may not add value to whomever is writing the itemized expense, but more accurate data could add value to someone else who needs it for accountability or uses it to benchmark future work. You have to assess the entire value stream.

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