The 2023 Guide to Cutting-Edge Invoice Approval Workflows

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial operations, the heartbeat of every successful business is a streamlined and error-free invoice approval workflow. As companies navigate the complexities of accounts payable, the demand for efficiency, accuracy, and security has never been more critical. In this blog, we embark on a journey into the world of cutting-edge invoice approval workflows, exploring the challenges faced in manual systems and unveiling the transformative power of innovative solutions. Get ready to revolutionize your approach to accounts payable and discover the keys to a razor-sharp, automated future.

What is an Invoice Approval Workflow?

An invoice approval workflow is a structured process that organizations follow to review, verify, and authorize supplier invoices before making payments. This workflow aims to ensure accuracy, prevent errors, and maintain financial controls within the accounts payable (AP) department.

This workflow comprehensively examines various elements, including supplier verification, confirmation of received quantities, scrutiny of line items, verification of prices and calculations, and a crucial 3-way matching process with associated purchase orders and receiving reports.

Key components of the invoice approval workflow include:

1. Supplier and Quantity Verification: Confirmation of the authenticity of the supplier and the quantities of goods or services received, ensuring alignment with the information provided in the invoice.
2. Line Items, Prices, and Calculations Review: Thoroughly inspect individual line items, prices, and calculations to verify their accuracy and consistency with the agreed-upon terms.
3. 3-Way Matching: Alignment of the invoice with the corresponding purchase order and receiving report in a 3-way matching process. This helps ensure that the goods or services were indeed ordered, received, and invoiced accurately.
4. Exception Handling: Addressing and resolving any discrepancies or exceptions identified during the verification process. This may involve communication with relevant stakeholders to clarify or rectify discrepancies.
5. Document Review and Approvals: Evaluation of the entire set of documents, including the invoice, purchase order, and receiving report, by designated approvers within the organization. Approval is sought before proceeding with the payment process.

The invoice approval workflow is a critical control mechanism to prevent errors, detect potential fraud, and maintain financial accuracy within the accounts payable function. While traditionally a manual and time-intensive process, advancements in automation technologies have significantly streamlined and optimized the efficiency of the invoice approval workflow in modern business practices.

What are the Steps in an Invoice Approval Workflow?

Receive and Enter Invoices

Invoices are received and entered into the accounts payable system. This step involves capturing essential information such as the invoice number, supplier details, and invoice amount.

Validate Supplier and Review Invoice Details

The authenticity of the supplier is verified, and the details on the invoice are reviewed for accuracy. This includes confirming that the invoiced goods or services align with the purchase order and other relevant documents.

Match Invoices with Supporting Documents

Invoices are matched with supporting documents, such as purchase orders (POs) and receiving reports. This step ensures consistency and accuracy between the original order, the receipt of goods or services, and the invoiced amounts.

Route Invoices to Approvers for Review and Authorization

Invoices and supporting documents are routed to designated approvers for review and authorization. Approvers may include supervisors, managers, or individuals with budgetary control.

Initiate Invoice Scheduling and Payment Process

After receiving approval, the invoice is scheduled for payment, and the payment process is initiated. This may involve generating payment batches, preparing for fund disbursement, and adhering to payment terms.

Invoice-to-Pay Process

The invoice approval workflow is part of the broader invoice-to-pay process, which spans from receiving the invoice to determining the receipt of ordered items and finally paying the approved invoice.

The above steps are designed to ensure that each invoice goes through a thorough validation and approval process, minimizing errors, preventing fraud, and maintaining financial control within the organization. In automated systems, these steps are often streamlined, reducing manual effort and enhancing overall efficiency in the accounts payable department.

Problems Faced in Invoice Approval Workflows

1. Insufficient Accounts Payable Hours: Limited resources and manpower in the accounts payable department can lead to a backlog in processing invoices. This obstacle often results in delays and increased workload for AP staff.
2. Delayed Receipt of Supporting Documents: Waiting for necessary documents, such as purchase orders or receiving reports, can impede invoice approval. Delays in document submission can prolong the time it takes to match invoices accurately.
3. Difficulty Detecting Fraud or Errors: The risk of overlooking fraudulent activities or errors is higher in a manual system. Limited controls and manual verification processes may not catch discrepancies, leading to potential financial losses.
4. Late Payments or Missed Discounts: Manual processes can contribute to delays in payment, resulting in late payments to suppliers. Additionally, businesses may miss out on early payment discounts due to inefficient approval workflows.
5. Follow-Up with Approvers: Following up with designated approvers for invoice approval can be time-consuming in manual systems. This obstacle adds to the overall processing time and may lead to frustration among accounts payable staff.
6. Constant Payment Status Inquiries: Suppliers may frequently inquire about the status of their payments in manual systems, contributing to increased communication and follow-up tasks for the accounts payable team.

Addressing these obstacles is crucial for organizations aiming to optimize their invoice approval workflows. Automation solutions, such as AP automation software, can significantly mitigate these challenges by streamlining processes, improving accuracy, and enhancing communication within the accounts payable department.

How can Automation Help?

1. Streamlining Data Entry: Automation tools can capture and enter invoice data into the system, reducing the need for manual data entry. This minimizes the risk of errors associated with manual input and accelerates the invoice approval process.
2. Validation of Legitimacy: Automated systems use algorithmic rules and databases to validate the legitimacy of vendors, reducing the risk of processing invoices from fraudulent or unverified sources. This enhances financial security and reduces the chance of making payments to non-existent suppliers.
3. Self-Service Supplier Onboarding: Automation allows for self-service supplier onboarding, where suppliers can input their information directly into the system. This improves accuracy and shifts the onboarding workload from the accounts payable team to the suppliers.
4. Digital Transformation of Documents: Automation converts paper invoices into digital formats using technologies like Optical Character Recognition (OCR) scanning. This process captures essential information such as invoice numbers, PO numbers, supplier details, and amounts, making data easily accessible and searchable.
5. Automated Invoice Approval Workflow: The entire invoice approval process can be automated, including routing invoices to designated approvers. This reduces the time spent on manual follow-ups and accelerates the approval cycle with the click of a button.
6. Automatic Reminder Notifications: Automated systems can send automatic reminders to designated approvers when approval delays occur. This eliminates the need for manual follow-ups and ensures that the approval process stays on track.
7. Real-Time Payment Status Notifications: Suppliers can receive real-time notifications about the status of their invoices, including when invoices are pending, in process, or paid. This reduces the number of supplier inquiries and calls, improving overall communication.
8. Enhanced Security and Financial Controls: Automation software often includes enterprise-level data encryption, providing added security to sensitive financial information. Automated payables bookkeeping syncs with ERP or accounting systems in real-time, ensuring accurate financial statements.
9. Global Payment Reconciliation: Some automation solutions offer real-time automated global payment reconciliation, supporting multiple payment methods and currencies. This feature can significantly reduce monthly accounting close time.
10. Cost Savings: Automation reduces the costs associated with manual invoice processing. The average cost of processing an invoice manually is often higher than the cost of implementing and maintaining an automation solution.

By leveraging automation in the invoice approval workflow, businesses can not only save time and reduce errors but also enhance financial controls, improve communication, and achieve substantial cost savings in their accounts payable processes.

How can Nanonets Help Invoice Approval Workflow Automation?

Unlock the potential of a seamless invoice approval workflow with Nanonets – your cutting-edge solution for unparalleled efficiency and accuracy in accounts payable processes. In a world where manual systems lead to time-consuming processes and human errors, Nanonets emerges as the catalyst for transformative change.

• OCR-Powered Precision:
  Experience the power of cutting-edge Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology with Nanonets. Say goodbye to manual data entry woes as Nanonets meticulously extracts and processes crucial information from invoices, ensuring unmatched accuracy in every step.
• Streamlined Workflow Automation:
  Nanonets takes invoice approval workflows to new heights by automating tedious tasks. From receiving and entering invoices into the system to matching them with supporting documents, the entire process is streamlined for maximum efficiency.
• Effortless 3-Way Matching:
  Elevate your financial controls with Nanonets’ automated 3-way matching, ensuring seamless alignment between purchase orders, receiving reports, and supplier invoices. Bid farewell to discrepancies and welcome a new era of accuracy.
• Real-Time Notifications and Alerts:
  Nanonets keeps you in the loop with real-time notifications. Approvers receive alerts promptly, minimizing delays and ensuring a swift approval process.
• Supplier Onboarding Reinvented:
  Revolutionize supplier onboarding with Nanonets’ self-service portals. Suppliers can input information directly, ensuring accuracy and reducing the burden on your accounts payable team.
• Enhanced Security Measures:
  Trust in Nanonets’ commitment to security. Benefit from robust encryption and secure data handling, safeguarding your sensitive financial information.
• Seamless Integration:
  Experience seamless integration with your existing systems. Nanonets effortlessly syncs with ERP or accounting software, providing real-time accuracy and eliminating the need for manual reconciliation.
• Cost Savings and Global Payment Reconciliation:
  Uncover significant cost savings with Nanonets. The automated invoice processing doesn’t just save time; it cuts down on expenses. Dive into the future with real-time automated global payment reconciliation, supporting multiple currencies and payment methods.

Ready for the Future of Invoice Approval?

Don’t let manual processes hold you back. Embrace Nanonets for a razor-sharp, automated invoice approval workflow. Join forward-thinking businesses that save time, reduce errors, and enhance financial controls. Your journey to efficiency starts here.

Explore Nanonets today for a smarter, more streamlined accounts payable experience.