Locating Documents

With manual 3 way matching processes, paper documents or those saved electronically in network folders first need to be located.  This can be a time consuming process, whether it's looking for a purchase order a colleague says they've filed, or trying to access an invoice stored on the server via a poor VPN connection from home.

Delays to Suppliers

Paper documents can be lost or damaged causing delays to suppliers, and preventing organisations from taking early repayment discounts.  

Multi-Location Logistics

Organisations with multiple offices can also struggle with logistical challenges.  If goods are delivered to a branch, but Finance manages all payments from Head Office, how can checks be easily managed? 

Delivery notes posted in bulk cause delays, if documents are saved to a network folder, mistakes can easily happen or there can be access issues, and emailed information relies on timely responses from both sides.

Lack of Visibility

Manual 3 way matching offers very little visibility into how the entire process is performing.  There is no single way to understand how many invoices need paying, those that are on hold or which suppliers are offering early repayment discounts.

How Automated 3 Way Matching Works

With an automated solution to manage 3 way matching, all purchase orders, invoices and delivery notes arestored digitally in a centralised system.  Documents are either scanned in if received on paper, stored directly from email or picked up by the system from a desk top watch folder.

Once they enter the system,key datasuch as reference numbers, dates, company names etc. areaccurately captured and storedas indexed information.  This same data is used when searching for documents, making documents quick and easy to find.

Integrationwith finance packages orERP systemsmeans this information can be automatically pushed into them,removing the need for manual data entryand wasted time copying and pasting.

When an invoice enters the digital system, aworkflowis initiated behind the scenes to look for apurchase orderand delivery note with a matching reference number.  It will also check the invoice total with the amount stated on the purchase order and if all are correct,the system performs the 3 way matchand moves the invoice through to the completion step.

At this stage, a member of staff adds GL codes to the invoice line items and creates the booking record.  For invoices with multiple items that need to be checked quickly, a digital stamp can be used and added as an overlay to the document.  The system stores the original alongside any mark upped up invoices.

If the 3 way match is successful, the invoice is marked as approved and sent for payment.  Thesystem can also perform a 'quick match' based on parameters set by the business- such as any invoice under £1,000 from a trusted supplier can automatically be moved through to payment.

The Benefits of Automated 3 Way Matching

If you're reading this blog it's likely you're facing challenges with your Accounts Payable process, and we want to help.  We hear the benefitsour clientsexperience once our solutions are up and running and they often wish they'd made the change sooner.

Save Time

We all wish we had more time in our day to complete tasks, and a digital system that automates 3 way matching gives employees just that.  It takes less time to locate documents, re-keying data is no longer required and the process of physically matching documents is removed

This gives staff more time to work on other jobs, or get out of the door on time!

Stop Fraud

With anautomated systempurchase orders that haven't been pre-approved cannot be submitted, not can fraudulent invoices be accidently paid.  There arerules in placeto stop this happening, for example a purchase order can only enter the system if the chosen supplier is on an approved supplier list, or an invoice cannot be paid without adelivery note. 

Businesses can save money on wasted purchases and overpayments.

Audit Ready

All documents are efficiently stored and indexed in digital filing cabinets making them easy to find.  Information within the system cannot be lost or misplaced and so readily available during an audit.

Better Compliance

When 3 way matching is automated,every step has to be followed before the next can begin.  This provides organisations withaccurate datawhich can effectively be used to make important financial decisions.  Mistakes are avoided when there are multiple checks in place.

Improved Relationships

A digital system provides better visibility of the fullAccounts Payableprocess compared with manual or paper systems.  In a matter of clicks,management can track deliveries and payments with suppliers and customersand go on to understand ordering patterns. Placing repeated orders with the same suppliers builds better relationships,ensuring consistent qualityand potential deals on price.

Start Making A Change Today

Why continue withold processes that are no longer fit for purposeand consume more employees time than they should.  Paper processes may have once worked but as the business grows they will buckle under the pressure.

Don't let the competition move ahead, speak with us about 3 way matching in accounts payable and understand the improvements we can make to your processes.  We'd welcome a chat about the problems you're experiencing as well as any bespoke requirements you may have.

Book a time in our diary andstart making a change today.

Schedule a Call