# Approval delegation

Hand off approvals when someone is away.

When an approver is unavailable, Cortena can **delegate** approval rights to the next tier in your **approval matrix**, so invoices do not stall in **Waiting for approval**.

**Who this is for:** Department heads and finance admins using multi-step approval workflows who need backup approvers during absence.

![Approval delegation with AI-assisted routing](https://help.cortena.ai/assets/img/help/product/approval-delegation-ai.png)

## 1. Approval matrix basics

Your **approval matrix** (spreadsheet or configured rules) defines:

- **Tiers** · for example manager → finance director → CFO
- **Thresholds** · amount limits per tier
- **Assignees** · named users per tier

Workflow **Approval** nodes read this matrix to set who can complete each step. See [Approval matrix](https://help.cortena.ai/guides/workflows/approval-matrix).

## 2. Delegate to tier approvers

**Delegation** lets a tier approve on behalf of a missing assignee when your matrix allows it:

1. Invoice sits in **Waiting for approval**.
2. Eligible **delegate** (next tier or configured backup) opens the invoice.
3. Delegate completes approval. It is logged with their user name in **Activity**.

Delegation does not bypass thresholds. A €50k invoice still needs the correct tier unless matrix rules explicitly allow escalation.

## 3. Configure in workflow

In **Settings → Workflow**, ensure:

- **Approval** node has enforce approval enabled
- Assignee resolution uses the matrix (not an empty assignee list)
- Success edge leads to next step (export or second approval)

Empty assignees block completion. Fix matrix sync before go-live.

## 4. Revert and re-approve

If the wrong person approved, an admin may **revert** the approval step (see [Workflow configuration](https://help.cortena.ai/guides/workflows/workflow-configuration)) and route again.

## Quick reference

| Topic | Guidance |
| --- | --- |
| Matrix source | Spreadsheet / tenant approval config |
| Delegate | Next-tier approver when allowed |
| Audit | **Activity** shows who approved |
| Stuck invoices | Check assignee list + matrix sync |