Difference between setting approval limit to zero vs unchecking authorized approver?

[Joia]

My company utilizes what we call "informational approvals" on expense reports or trip requests wherein a first-line manager has an approval role, but no fiscal authority associated with that role.  The request (or report) then flows up the workflow to someone with monetary approval sufficient for the amount.  The approval role is granted based on the parameters set in the HR system which flows into Concur nightly in an update.  If the position is listed as a supervisory one in the HR system, the approval roles (up at the top of the user profile) are automatically assigned.

My question comes in about the ways to grant (or not grant in this case) any monetary authority with that approver role.  I know that if the monetary approval amount is left blank, that grants unlimited approval authority.  But I'm wondering what the difference is between inputting zero in that field versus just unchecking the lower "authorized approver" and making the approval limit and currency fields disappear entirely.  (Like for the Request Settings shown below - would the same thing be accomplished by just unchecking that "authorized approver" and making it go away?)

[KevinD · Accepted solution]

@Joia entering zero in the Manager Approval Limit restricts that manager from having final approval authority for reports. They will review and approve reports submitted by those for whom they assigned as a default manager, but after their approval the report progresses in the workflow to the next authorized approver. 

I believe by unchecking the box, it would essentially accomplish the same thing. Of course, there are some nuances. For example, you can Restrict approvers to those with limit authority, which should bypass the user's default approver if they aren't an authorized approver or do not have a high enough limit. If you don't restrict this, then the default approver would get the report, approve it then move it to the Authorized Approver workflow step.

[Joia]

Excellent!  Thank you for your detailed response!