Accounts payable automation
Digital invoice processing, that is, applying OCR to convert invoices to data and using automated approval workflows with budget holders, is commonplace in most accounts payable departments.
Full automation of accounts payable, from invoice receipt to payable, is something we see far less of. And that's while cloud-based accounts payable solutions are abundantly available. The challenges lie in building bridges to suppliers and collaboration with procurement.
Automated invoice receipt
(e-invoicing)
Invoices are sent by deliverers or collected zlef through integration with supplier portals.
The huge amount of standards in invoice data (worldwide) makes it virtually impossible to standardize invoice reception and thus automate it.
With so-called e-invoicing networks, invoices in various forms and standards are converted to the recipient's desired standard. Suppliers can continue to send their invoices in unchanged form.
Read more about e-invoicing
Automated invoice validation
Invoice information can be incorrect and conflict with information from proprietary ERP systems. Invoice validation intercepts errors and, depending on the error, sends them to a responsible party, such as the supplier, with a statement of reason.
Any missing information can be automatically filled in with information from proprietary ERP systems or other accessible sources.
Automated invoice processing (coding and approval)
As long as invoices continue to come in that are not linked to a PO or payment plan, straight-through processing of invoices will not be possible.
With smart coding and automated approval workflows with budget holders, accounts payable saves a lot of time with invoice processing.
Integration with procurement for automatic invoice processing (matching)
Invoices that do precede POs or payment plans are processed fully automatically. No AP employee or budget holder has to look at the invoice.
Thus, the case for running orders through a central purchasing platform. Bringing all spending under management, including indirect spend, not only benefits accounts payable.
Read more about automated procurement
Expansion with expense claims processing
Nice side benefit. If you have the invoice processing in order, then the flow of claims from colleagues can be added to the invoice flow.
With a simple app, colleagues can submit all receipts, travel expenses and credit card payments, and processing conforms to that of invoices.
Read more about expense claims processing
Letting suppliers query invoice status themselves
Despite automatic invoice processing, accounts payable regularly receives calls from suppliers with questions about the invoices they have sent. With the help of a simple online portal, which can interface with any invoice processing software, suppliers can see for themselves the status of their sent invoices.
Accounts payable dashboards
Automation makes invoices insightful and measurable. Data analysis for accounts payable processes forms the basis for data-driven decision-making in accounts payable. Also towards suppliers.
We use several dashboards to chart the accounts payable process. Like this dashboard that allows us to see the matching rate between fatuur and PO.
This dashboard provides insight into the overall level of automation of invoice processing. An overarching accounts payable dashboard to which KPIs can be linked.
This dashboard is provides insight into the actions performed in the process: where, what, when and by whom are they caused.