diff --git a/src/libs/ReportUtils.ts b/src/libs/ReportUtils.ts
index d48567ebdaf3..8e78dead4a93 100644
--- a/src/libs/ReportUtils.ts
+++ b/src/libs/ReportUtils.ts
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ type OptimisticExpenseReport = Pick<
     | 'policyID'
     | 'type'
     | 'ownerAccountID'
+    | 'managerID'
     | 'currency'
     | 'reportName'
     | 'stateNum'
@@ -2704,7 +2705,7 @@ function buildOptimisticExpenseReport(chatReportID: string, policyID: string, pa
     const stateNum = isFree ? CONST.REPORT.STATE_NUM.SUBMITTED : CONST.REPORT.STATE_NUM.OPEN;
     const statusNum = isFree ? CONST.REPORT.STATUS_NUM.SUBMITTED : CONST.REPORT.STATUS_NUM.OPEN;
 
-    return {
+    const expenseReport: OptimisticExpenseReport = {
         reportID: generateReportID(),
         chatReportID,
         policyID,
@@ -2721,6 +2722,13 @@ function buildOptimisticExpenseReport(chatReportID: string, policyID: string, pa
         parentReportID: chatReportID,
         lastVisibleActionCreated: DateUtils.getDBTime(),
     };
+
+    // The account defined in the policy submitsTo field is the approver/ manager for this report
+    if (policy?.submitsTo) {
+        expenseReport.managerID = policy.submitsTo;
+    }
+
+    return expenseReport;
 }
 
 /**