Invoice Approval for Professional Services
Routes vendor invoices through verification and approval before payment is released.
Designed to meet professional indemnity requirements, client confidentiality obligations, and industry body reporting standards.
Workflow Stages
Invoice Receipt and Logging
Receive the vendor invoice, log it in the accounts payable system, and route it for processing.
Inputs
- Vendor invoice
- Accounts payable system access
- Vendor record
Outputs
- Invoice logged in system
- Invoice matched to vendor record
- Processing queue assigned
Three-Way Match
Match the invoice against the purchase instruction and goods receipt to verify accuracy.
Inputs
- Vendor invoice
- Purchase instruction
- Receiving report or service confirmation
Outputs
- Match results documented
- Discrepancies identified if any
- Invoice cleared for approval or held for resolution
Decision Points
- • Do the invoice, PO, and receipt match?
- • Are discrepancies within acceptable tolerance?
Department Approval
The budget owner reviews and approves the invoice for payment.
Inputs
- Matched invoice package
- Budget status
- Expense coding
Outputs
- Department approval
- Expense coding confirmed
- Invoice cleared for payment
Payment Scheduling
Schedule the payment based on vendor payment terms and the company payment run calendar.
Inputs
- Approved invoice
- Vendor payment terms
- Payment run schedule
Outputs
- Payment scheduled
- Payment run inclusion confirmed
- Vendor notified of expected payment date if requested
Payment Execution
Execute the payment through the approved payment method and record the matter.
Inputs
- Scheduled payment batch
- Banking details
- Payment authorization
Outputs
- Payment executed
- Remittance advice sent to vendor
- Accounts payable ledger updated
Frequently Asked Questions
How are invoices without a purchase instruction handled?
Non-PO invoices require department manager approval and coding before they can be processed. Recurring service invoices may be set up with standing approvals.
What happens when an invoice does not match the purchase instruction?
The invoice is placed on hold and the discrepancy is communicated to the vendor and the internal requestor for resolution before payment is approved.
Can invoices be paid early for a discount?
Yes, early payment discounts are evaluated by the finance team. If the discount exceeds the cost of early payment, it is taken and processed accordingly.
Ready to implement this workflow in your business?
Our team can implement this workflow into your business operations with custom tools and training.