Accounts Approvals Archives - Zahara Accounts Payable Automation Software https://www.zaharasoftware.com/category/accounts-approvals/ Accounts Payable Automation Software Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:50:52 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cropped-app_icon_final_512x512-32x32.png Accounts Approvals Archives - Zahara Accounts Payable Automation Software https://www.zaharasoftware.com/category/accounts-approvals/ 32 32 Accounts Payable Processing https://www.zaharasoftware.com/accounts-approvals/accounts-payable-processing/ Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:59:48 +0000 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/?p=10399 What Is Accounts Payable Processing? Accounts payable processing is the end-to-end workflow used to receive, review, approve, and pay supplier invoices. It directly affects cash flow, spend control, reporting accuracy, and supplier relationships. At a basic level, accounts payable processing answers three questions: Is the invoice valid and accurate? Has the spend been approved? Has … Continue reading "Accounts Payable Processing"

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What Is Accounts Payable Processing?

Accounts payable processing is the end-to-end workflow used to receive, review, approve, and pay supplier invoices. It directly affects cash flow, spend control, reporting accuracy, and supplier relationships.

At a basic level, accounts payable processing answers three questions:

  • Is the invoice valid and accurate?

  • Has the spend been approved?

  • Has the invoice been paid on time and recorded correctly?

When this process fails, finance teams face late payments, duplicated invoices, weak reporting, and avoidable costs.


How Accounts Payable Processing Works

A typical accounts payable process follows a defined sequence. Each step introduces risk when handled manually.

1. Invoice Receipt

Invoices arrive via multiple channels:

  • Email

  • PDF attachments

  • Paper post

  • Supplier portals

Without a central intake point, invoices are easily missed, delayed, or duplicated.


2. Invoice Data Capture

Key invoice data includes:

  • Supplier details

  • Invoice number and dates

  • Line items

  • VAT or tax values

Manual data entry slows accounts payable processing and increases error rates. Many teams now rely on OCR invoice scanning to capture data automatically.


3. Invoice Matching

Invoices are validated against:

  • Purchase orders

  • Goods received notes

  • Contract terms

This usually involves two-way or three-way matching. Manual matching is one of the biggest bottlenecks in accounts payable processing.

Purchase order management


4. Invoice Approval

Invoices are routed to budget holders for review and approval.

Common problems include:

  • Approval delays

  • Poor visibility

  • Unclear ownership

Invoice approval software replaces email chasing with structured workflows and clear accountability.


5. Payment Processing

Approved invoices are scheduled for payment using:

  • BACS

  • Bank transfer

  • International payments

Payment timing has a direct impact on cash flow and supplier relationships.

Scheduled supplier payments


6. Reconciliation and Audit Trail

Once paid, invoices are reconciled in the finance system and stored securely.

A complete audit trail supports compliance, controls, and faster audits.


Common Accounts Payable Processing Challenges

Manual and fragmented AP processes create recurring issues.

Limited Spend Visibility

Finance teams struggle to see:

  • Outstanding liabilities

  • Approved but unpaid invoices

  • Committed spend

This makes cash flow forecasting unreliable.


Late Payments

Manual handling and approval delays often result in missed payment terms and supplier dissatisfaction.


Duplicate and Incorrect Payments

Weak controls increase the risk of:

  • Duplicate invoices

  • Incorrect values

  • Fraudulent supplier changes


High Processing Costs

Manual accounts payable processing costs significantly more per invoice than automated workflows.


Weak Audit Readiness

Paper-based processes make audits slow, disruptive, and error-prone.


Accounts Payable Processing Best Practices

Improving AP processing requires consistency and clear controls.

Centralise Invoice Intake

  • Use a single invoice email address

  • Reduce paper invoices

  • Set clear supplier submission rules


Enforce Purchase Order Control

Purchase order software ensures spend is approved before invoices arrive.

Invoices matched to purchase orders process faster and with fewer exceptions.


Define Approval Rules

  • Set approval thresholds

  • Assign clear budget ownership

  • Remove informal approval chains


Track AP Performance Metrics

Key metrics include:

  • Invoice cycle time

  • Cost per invoice

  • On-time payment rate

  • Exception rate


Automating Accounts Payable Processing

Accounts payable automation software replaces manual steps with system-driven workflows.

How AP Automation Works

Automated accounts payable processing includes:

  • Invoice capture using OCR

  • Automatic data extraction

  • PO and receipt matching

  • Rules-based invoice approval

  • Scheduled supplier payments

  • Real-time reporting

Accounts Payable automation software


Benefits of Accounts Payable Automation

  • Faster invoice processing

  • Reduced manual effort

  • Improved accuracy

  • Better cash flow visibility

  • Stronger internal controls


The Role of OCR in Accounts Payable Processing

OCR invoice scanning converts invoices into structured, searchable data.

Modern OCR software can:

  • Capture header and line-level data

  • Recognise multiple invoice formats

  • Reduce manual data entry

OCR delivers the most value when combined with validation rules and approval workflows.


Purchase Orders and Accounts Payable Processing

Purchase order management is essential for controlled accounts payable processing.

When AP workflows are linked to purchase orders:

  • Spend is approved in advance

  • Invoice matching is faster

  • Budget overruns are reduced

Three-way matching between purchase order, invoice, and receipt remains best practice.


Accounts Payable Processing and Cash Flow Control

Accounts payable processing plays a direct role in cash flow management.

With clear visibility, finance teams can:

  • Forecast liabilities accurately

  • Schedule supplier payments

  • Take advantage of early payment discounts

  • Avoid late payment penalties

Scheduled supplier payments improve predictability and control.


Scaling Accounts Payable Processing

As invoice volumes increase, manual AP processes break down.

Common warning signs include:

  • Growing approval delays

  • Finance teams focused on data entry

  • Supplier complaints

  • Poor spend reporting

Accounts payable automation software allows teams to scale without increasing headcount.


Compliance, Controls, and Audit Readiness

A structured AP process supports:

  • Segregation of duties

  • Full approval histories

  • Secure document storage

  • Consistent controls

This reduces audit risk and strengthens compliance.


Choosing Accounts Payable Processing Software

When evaluating software, look for:

  • Invoice processing and OCR

  • Purchase order management

  • Invoice approval workflows

  • Supplier payment automation

  • Real-time reporting

Zahara combines purchase order software, invoice approval software, and invoice processing in a single platform.

Zahara AP Automation features


Frequently Asked Questions

What is accounts payable processing?
Accounts payable processing is the workflow used to receive, approve, and pay supplier invoices while maintaining accurate financial records.

Why is accounts payable processing important?
It controls cash flow, reduces errors, supports audits, and protects supplier relationships.

How can accounts payable processing be improved?
By standardising workflows, enforcing purchase orders, and using accounts payable automation software.

What role do purchase orders play in AP processing?
Purchase orders approve spend in advance and simplify invoice matching and control.


Final Thoughts

Accounts payable processing underpins financial control.

Manual processes introduce risk, cost, and delay.

Structured, automated accounts payable processing delivers visibility, control, and scalability—making it a core function for modern finance teams.

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What is Accounts Payable? https://www.zaharasoftware.com/accounts-approvals/what-is-accounts-payable/ Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:57:44 +0000 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/?p=7339 To define accounts payable (AP), think of it like your business’s “IOU” list—it’s the money your company owes suppliers for goods or services you’ve already enjoyed. Typically, these short-term debts are due within 30 to 90 days and are listed as liabilities on your balance sheet. Simply put, when you define accounts payable, you’re keeping … Continue reading "What is Accounts Payable?"

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To define accounts payable (AP), think of it like your business’s “IOU” list—it’s the money your company owes suppliers for goods or services you’ve already enjoyed. Typically, these short-term debts are due within 30 to 90 days and are listed as liabilities on your balance sheet.

Simply put, when you define accounts payable, you’re keeping track of what your business owes—not what it owns.


Where Accounts Payable Fits into Your Financial Workflow

AP is right at the heart of your purchasing cycle. Here’s a quick snapshot:

  • 📝 You raise a purchase order (PO).

  • 📦 Suppliers deliver the goods or services.

  • 📧 Suppliers send you an invoice.

  • ✅ Your team checks the invoice against the PO and delivery notes.

  • ✔ The invoice gets approved.

  • 💸 You pay the supplier.

Each of these tasks keeps your AP team busy and your suppliers happy!


Accounts Payable vs Accounts Receivable: The Quick Guide

Feature Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable
Definition Money you owe Money owed to you
Appears as Liability Asset
Managed by AP Team AR Team
Goal Pay suppliers promptly Get paid promptly

Want to dive deeper? Check out Accounts Payable vs Accounts Receivable for Business Owners.


What Your AP Team Actually Does (Hint: It’s Busy!)

Your AP team handles key tasks such as:

  • Matching invoices with orders and delivery notes.

  • Making sure invoices are error-free.

  • Getting invoices approved quickly.

  • Scheduling timely payments.

  • Resolving supplier queries promptly.

  • Keeping tidy audit records (your future self will thank them!).


Why Clearly Defining Accounts Payable Matters

A well-defined AP process brings real benefits:

  • 🚀 Better Cash Flow: No more last-minute surprises.
  • 💰 Savings: Avoid late fees and catch early discounts.
  • 📚 Easy Audits: Organised paperwork simplifies life.
  • 🤝 Happy Suppliers: Paying on time builds trust.
  • 🔒 Less Fraud Risk: Good AP processes catch fraudulent invoices early.
Insights
Insights
Portrait of Martin Peirce

Martin Peirce

Founder and CEO

AI, is opening up huge opportunities. It’s not just a buzzword — it’s already helping me work smarter. From writing code to researching ideas or even figuring out the best way to plaster a wall (which is harder than it looks, by the way), I’m seeing firsthand how it can improve how we live and work. And that’s the goal: to make life better.

At Zahara, we’re building software that people genuinely enjoy using. Tools that simplify, save time, and help people focus on what matters most — whether that’s bigger business priorities or simply enjoying a bit more free time at the end of the day.

AI, in particular, is opening up huge opportunities. It’s not just a buzzword — it’s already helping me work smarter. From writing code to researching ideas or even figuring out the best way to plaster a wall (which is harder than it looks, by the way), I’m seeing firsthand how it can improve how we live and work. And that’s the goal: to make life better.

Accounts Payable: Step-by-Step

  1. Issue the PO: Clearly state what you’re buying and payment terms.
  2. Receive Delivery: Confirm everything’s arrived as promised.
  3. Check Invoice: Verify it matches your PO and goods received.

  4. Approve Invoice: Get internal approvals swiftly.
  5. Make Payment: Pay promptly and accurately.

Streamline your tasks with Zahara’s purchase order software and invoice approval software.


Common AP Headaches (And How to Cure Them!)

Businesses often face issues like:

  • 🚨 Duplicate payments
  • 📉 Missed invoices
  • ⏰ Late payments
  • 🔍 Fraudulent invoices
  • 🌫 Poor cash flow visibility

Tackle these easily with Accounts Payable automation software.


Why Automation Is Your AP Team’s Best Friend

Manual AP processes? Slow, painful, error-prone.

Automation is your ticket to:

  • 🎯 Automatic invoice scanning
  • 🧾 OCR for error-free matching
  • 🌟 Custom approval workflows
  • 📅 Scheduled bulk payments
  • 📊 Real-time visibility into spending

Real-Life Example: Simplifying AP

Imagine your construction firm buys £10,000 of supplies. You’ve received everything and the invoice arrives. Until paid, this is your AP liability. Once settled, you clear that amount off your books.

Quick Tips to Manage AP Like a Pro

  • Keep Workflows Simple: Standardise processes.

  • Approve First, Pay Later: Avoid expensive mistakes.

  • Embrace PO Systems: Better control, fewer error

    s.
  • Stay Organised: Good records make audits easy.

  • Automate: Let software do the heavy lifting.

Get going quickly with Zahara’s PO system for small businesses.

Are you ready for a demo?

Choose from a 15 minute intro, to a full product tour 40 minutes.

Lydia

FAQs: Straight Answers to AP Questions

What’s the difference between trade payables and accounts payable?

Trade payables specifically refer to inventory-related debts.

Is accounts payable a debit or credit?

AP is a credit, as it represents money owed.

Typical AP payment terms?

Usually Net 30, Net 60, or Net 90 days.

Can AP be automated?

Absolutely! Zahara streamlines the entire process.

Who manages AP in small businesses?

Initially, often the owner or finance team handles it.


Ready to Make AP Easy?

Clearly defining accounts payable isn’t just paying bills—it’s smarter cash management and stronger supplier relationships.

Ditch those spreadsheets and endless emails. Let Zahara automate your AP tasks, giving you control and clarity without hassle.


You Might Also Like to Read

 

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The Best Invoice Approval Automation https://www.zaharasoftware.com/accounts-approvals/invoice-approval-automation/ Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:07:01 +0000 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/?p=6344 Time is money, but how many of us actually live by that mantra? If your business hasn’t yet implemented invoice approval automation, you’re losing both time and money every day. In 2025, businesses that automate their approval processes gain a crucial edge in efficiency, accuracy, and resource allocation. This guide explores the essentials of finding … Continue reading "The Best Invoice Approval Automation"

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Time is money, but how many of us actually live by that mantra? If your business hasn’t yet implemented invoice approval automation, you’re losing both time and money every day. In 2025, businesses that automate their approval processes gain a crucial edge in efficiency, accuracy, and resource allocation.

This guide explores the essentials of finding the best invoice approval software, implementing automation, and achieving optimal results for your accounts payable (AP) processes.


What Is Invoice Approval Automation?

Invoice approval automation refers to software solutions designed to streamline and digitize the approval process. Instead of manually routing invoices through email chains, automation centralizes and accelerates this process. Actions such as reviews, approvals, and notifications occur within one platform, reducing delays due to absences or human error.


Benefits of Invoice Approval Automation

Save Time and Resources

Automating invoice approval eliminates repetitive tasks. Teams can redirect their time to higher-value activities, improving productivity without chasing down paper trails.

Enhanced Accuracy

Automation reduces human error by enforcing predefined rules. Each step in the approval process follows consistent guidelines, ensuring fewer mistakes.

Improved Communication

Teams can collaborate more effectively. Automation platforms provide real-time status updates, so everyone involved stays informed.


How Invoice Approval Automation Works

Approval Workflows (H3)

Approval automation systems follow a series of predefined steps, such as:

  1. Initial Invoice Review: Verify the invoice against purchase orders.
  2. Departmental Approval: Route to the responsible department.
  3. Final Authorization: Obtain senior-level approval.

Notifications, reminders, and status updates trigger automatically, ensuring timely progression from invoice submission to approval.

Integration with Accounting Systems (H3)

The software integrates with existing accounting and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, allowing for seamless data sharing and streamlined financial reporting.


Choosing the Right Invoice Approval Automation Tool

Key Features to Evaluate

When selecting a solution, prioritize these features:

  • Scalability: Can the software support your business growth?
  • Integration: Does it connect with your current ERP and accounting systems?
  • User-Friendliness: Is the interface easy for non-technical staff to navigate?

One standout option is Zahara, known for its customizable workflows and detailed reporting features.


Zahara’s Comprehensive Invoice Automation Features

Zahara is a robust 4-in-1 solution that covers all key aspects of accounts payable automation.

1. Purchase Orders

A purchase order system helps control costs before spending commitments. Zahara enables strict budget controls, department-specific workflows, and multi-step approval processes.

2. Invoice Processing

Automating invoice processing can make AP functions up to 9 times faster. Zahara’s OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology reads and processes invoices accurately, including line-item details.

3. Approvals

Approval workflows provide full control over spending. Zahara’s customizable workflows can accommodate various approval scenarios, maintaining financial security and flexibility.

4. Payments

Zahara simplifies payment runs by exporting invoices to your existing bank systems. This creates a full audit trail and enhances visibility into financial transactions.


Implementing Invoice Approval Automation

Best Practices for Implementation

  1. Conduct a Process Audit: Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
  2. Select the Right Tool: Evaluate software based on your business needs.
  3. Train Your Team: Provide training to ensure smooth adoption.
  4. Monitor and Optimize: Continuously track performance metrics.

Data Insights: The ROI of Invoice Automation

The following table highlights common performance improvements businesses achieve after implementing automation:

Metric Manual Process (Avg.) Automated Process (Avg.)  
Invoice Processing Time 10-15 days 2-3 days  
Error Rate 8-10% <1%  
Cost per Invoice $12-15 $4-6  

A very thorough guide on ROI of AP automation can be found here: Highradius


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main benefit of invoice approval automation?

The primary benefit is time savings. Automation accelerates the approval process, enabling faster payments and fewer delays.

2. Can invoice automation integrate with my ERP system?

Yes, most platforms, including Zahara, offer integrations with popular ERP and accounting systems.

3. How long does it take to implement invoice automation?

Implementation timelines vary but typically range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on your company’s needs.

4. Is automation suitable for small businesses?

Absolutely. Small businesses can benefit from reduced administrative overhead and improved cash flow visibility.


Final Thoughts on Invoice Approval Automation

In 2025, businesses that invest in automation future-proof their operations, gaining efficiency and security. Zahara offers the tools necessary to streamline your AP process and stay ahead in today’s competitive market.

Take the next step by contacting a Zahara specialist or scheduling a demo today:

Let us guide you through Zahara's AP Automation

30 min demo

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Combating AP Fraud https://www.zaharasoftware.com/accounts-approvals/combating-financial-fraud/ Mon, 23 Sep 2024 11:28:54 +0000 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/?p=6848 Fraud is on the rise. Figures from Crowe’s Annual Fraud Indicator show that the UK private sector lost an eye-watering £157.8 billion to fraud in 2023. To put that into perspective, the same sector lost only £14 billion in 2017. UK Finance, a trade organisation that represents 300 UK firms, said that these businesses alone … Continue reading "Combating AP Fraud"

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Fraud is on the rise. Figures from Crowe’s Annual Fraud Indicator show that the UK private sector lost an eye-watering £157.8 billion to fraud in 2023. To put that into perspective, the same sector lost only £14 billion in 2017.

UK Finance, a trade organisation that represents 300 UK firms, said that these businesses alone lost £50 million to invoice fraud and that the figure is climbing year on year.

You might be thinking: ‘Nah, it’ll never happen to me.’ but you’d be wrong. There’s no rhythm or rhyme to types of businesses that fraudsters will hit. There are, however, some small steps you can take into the world of AP automation that provide big protections.

 

Are traditional business methods vulnerable to AP fraud?

By lacking the checks and balances that automated AP software gives you, you’ve opened yourself right up to fraud.

Threats can come from both inside and outside your company, taking advantage of the lack of controls in non-automated methods that leave you wide open for exploitation.

The gaps come largely from a lack of scrutiny. Even the most watchful eye in a company with a lot of money going in and out might not be able to spot someone spending company money on themself, or syphoning a little here and there for a nice holiday or a gift for the wife…

Other fraudsters will take advantage of human error.

There’s no way the person tasked with filing invoices is going to have the brain power to spot tiny discrepancies when they get into the midst of this kind of mind-numbing work.

Your thief just needs to submit a realistic-looking invoice with some altered bank details and you’re shipping money straight to their account.

What’s more, if you’re not fully digital, finding your stolen money and the fraudster responsible is going to be difficult.

So leave that up to the machines…

What can Automated Account Payable do to help?

Zahara’s AP automation protects your business by building a system of control around the money that goes out of your business. It works at the areas of your finance department that are most vulnerable to fraud.

Fighting fraud with better invoice processing

A common method for some swindler to try to get their paws on your money is through invoice fraud. They’ll likely try to replicate invoices that your finance team are used to seeing, but have the money sent straight to their account.

Preventing this is all about being able to verify the legitimacy of an invoice. Zahara’s invoice processing software uses AI to hold a magnifying glass to each invoice put through the system. It can spot the smallest discrepancies and flag them to an approver before your invoice is paid.

It also uses 3-way matching – comparing info between goods receipts, purchase orders (more on these below), and the invoice – to ensure that all the info matches up before any payments are made.

Read more about Zahara’s Invoice Processing software here

Or stronger purchase order management

When a company grows, so too do the number of people with the power to spend. If this is left unchecked, you open yourself up to internal fraud.

Good purchase order management will increase compliance to make sure no one is spending company money on a nice fur coat for their other half or tickets to Ibiza for the summer hols.

Instead, anyone who wants to spend will have to raise a purchase order and comply with your controls. These can be spend limits for projects, departments, or individuals. It could also be controls on expensable items.

The long and the short is that you can say goodbye to unauthorized purchases and say hello to a system that will allow you to track spending simply and efficiently.

Read more about Zahara’s Purchase Order software here

And don’t forget enhanced audit trails

A huge number of businesses can be prevented through automated invoice processing or purchase order management, but fraudsters are crafty. No solution is going to provide total protection…

But if fraud happens, your new automated AP software will have a detailed record of everything that occurred. This will make it much easier to get your money back and protect your business against similar scams in the future.

Getting ready for the jump to digital

Are you interested in making the jump to automated accounts payable? Before you get your AP solution up and running, these are a few tips that can bolster your protection against fraud.

  • Show your system plenty of supplier invoices: Doing this will ensure that your system knows what your supplier invoices look like. You should train your solution on hundreds of example invoices before you put it into action. This will give the AI a wide pool of examples to work from when detecting a crooked invoice.
  • You should ensure that your purchase orders and invoices are being handled digitally. Contact your suppliers and let them know where to send invoices and send them digital templates if you need to.
  • Prepare your staff. Make sure they know how to handle the new software – especially when it comes to POs or invoices that get red-flagged.

Financial Security Summary

Just to reiterate…

Whether implementing automated Invoice Processing or Purchase Order Management, you’ve instantly put yourself in the big leagues of business security.

The approval workflows built into the software will make all the difference in fraud prevention and detection. If someone finds a way around, it’ll be much easier to track them.

Controlling your costs will do wonders for your bottom line, and it will also mean your CFO can sleep at night without the worry of someone dipping their hands into the company coffers.

We know we’re obviously a little biased here, but we can’t stress enough the benefits of adopting this software.

You can download this article as a handy PDF here: Combating Financial Fraud

The best way to learn more about AP Automation:

Want to hear more about what Zahara can do for your business? Give us a call or book a demo with one of our expert consultants here.

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Accounts Payable Workflow for Approvals https://www.zaharasoftware.com/approval-workflows/streamlining-accounts-payable-approval-workflows/ Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:33:48 +0000 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/?p=6013 We all want smooth financial processes (unless you’re someone who thrives on chaos), but when you’re struggling it can be hard to see the best path to take to streamline your accounts payable system. One thing you can do which is fairly simple but has a big impact is to get your approval workflows in … Continue reading "Accounts Payable Workflow for Approvals"

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We all want smooth financial processes (unless you’re someone who thrives on chaos), but when you’re struggling it can be hard to see the best path to take to streamline your accounts payable system. One thing you can do which is fairly simple but has a big impact is to get your approval workflows in check. Whether you’re using Xero or Sage, working for an SME or a mega corp, there are steps everyone can take to streamline AP workflows.  

AP Workflow Automation!

 We sound like a broken record at this point, but automating is the single most effective thing you can do to speed up and consolidate your process! You can tackle the problem at the source by raising purchase orders in app, and eliminating manual data entry. This means you’re starting your workflow off on the right track by optimising those crucial first steps.  

Electronic Approvals 

It’s time to make the most out of your software’s functionality. Worthwhile AP software will allow you to have complex but effective approval workflows in app. Instead of emailing POs and invoices to higher-ups and having to wait for them to approve them, with software they will be sent for approval automatically to the right people. There’s no lengthy sign-off process, they’ll be able to ‘approve’ or ‘reject’ with the press of a button. Some software will even reward users for having super-fast approval times, utilising our competitive nature speed the whole process up.  

Bringing in Budgets

Do you really need to get approval to buy a pint of milk for the office fridge? By customising your workflows, you can set specific budgets for certain departments and expenses. Purchases under an amount of your choosing can skip certain approvers in your regular workflow, meaning that small (yet important) purchases get approved that much quicker. Luckily, when you do this in-app you’ll get a full audit trail so even though you don’t need approval for these purchases, you can still monitor your spend.  

Turn Notifications On 

All of this advice is meaningless unless all approvers have notifications on so there’s no excuse for super late approvals! This is especially useful for those of us who work away from the office or onsite, as we can approve from the comfort of a mobile app, no longer having to wait until we’re back in the office.  

With new technology, there’s an abundance of ways to make your accounts payable workflows as efficient as possible. Just remember to automate and keep those notifications on and you can’t go far wrong. If you need more advice, our friendly team are always on hand for a call to talk you through it! 

Looks like you've covered a lot of info. We're here to answer any questions you might have.

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Is It Time to Automate Your Manual Invoice Approval Process? https://www.zaharasoftware.com/business-efficiency/is-it-time-to-automate-your-invoice-approval-process/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 12:31:04 +0000 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/?p=5990 To keep up with the lightning speed of today’s business world, automating manual processes is a one-way ticket to staying ahead of the curve. For finance teams, we recommend invoice approval software to automate your approvals. Your loyalty to the manual approval process will cost you in the long run; eating up swathes of time, … Continue reading "Is It Time to Automate Your Manual Invoice Approval Process?"

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To keep up with the lightning speed of today’s business world, automating manual processes is a one-way ticket to staying ahead of the curve. For finance teams, we recommend invoice approval software to automate your approvals. Your loyalty to the manual approval process will cost you in the long run; eating up swathes of time, leaving your results at the mercy of human error, and a workload that’s enough to bring the strongest among us to tears!  

Here, we’ll show you how to save time, improve efficiency, and future-proof your process. We’ve also thrown in some tips on how to kickstart your automation journey.

 

The Benefits of Automating Your Invoice Approval Process

Time-saving

A manual invoice approval process can end up being a full-time job. By reducing human data-entry and eliminating physical approvals, invoice approvals can become just one element of a dynamic finance role. You’ll be left with more time for financial strategy, as well as being able to reclaim your lunch break!

Reduced errors

The truth is that mistakes happen; we’re only human! However, intelligent software will highlight mistakes that even the most diligent among us may miss. You don’t have to leave it to chance, automation software will act as a safety net to make sure no invoice slips through the cracks.

Improved visibility

No one wants to be in the dark about the reality of their patterns and spending. Intelligent software provides real-time visibility into the status of invoices, allowing finance teams to quickly identify bottlenecks and see trends. 

Better compliance

Manual processes can be prone to compliance issues, such as duplicate payments or missed deadlines. Automation helps ensure compliance by enforcing approval workflows and providing audit trails, all with reduced effort and stress on your part. 

 

Tips and Tricks To Get Started

Identify your personal pain points

The first step in automating the invoice approval process is to identify the problem areas in your current process. What do you find most frustrating? It could be manual data entry, a lack of visibility, compliance issues, or losing your well-earned breaks to stay afloat. Once you know the problems that need to be fixed, you can go about picking a software that solves them.

Choose the right software

Now you know the areas to focus on, don’t just follow the trends! Different softwares have different wins, so while great reviews are a must, it’s important to trial different systems for yourself. You’ll need software that integrates with your existing system, is user-friendly, has smart OCR, and with a support team you can rely on.

Train your team

It can’t be emphasised enough how important this is, and how many well-meaning finance teams skip this step. You can set yourself up for success by making sure everyone understands the software in–and-out. Providing thorough training, and budgeting for professional training if needs be, will ensure a smooth transition.

Customise your setup

A worthwhile automation software will be highly customisable, so make sure you spend the time setting up the necessary workflows and assigning power to the right people. This is key for getting the most out of your newfound financial forecasting and control!

Monitor and adjust

As with any new process, it’s essential to keep a close eye on the success and trends of your new system for the first few months so you can make adjustments as needed. It could mean that you use the software differently down the line than when you first installed it, but you’ll be using it in the best way for your company’s unique needs. 

 

Choosing to automate doesn’t need to be a massive headache. Our suggestions will set you up for success, but if you’d like advice you can get in touch with one of our experts: we’d be more than happy for you to pick our brains any time! 

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3 Steps to AP Efficiencies https://www.zaharasoftware.com/accounts-approvals/3-steps-to-ap-efficiencies/ Wed, 19 Jun 2019 08:56:04 +0000 https://www.zaharasoftware.com/?p=3226 In a recent Benchmark report from the Institute of Finance & Management (IOFM), Efficiencies were cited by Accounts Payables as their biggest challenge. Based on a 2 year study of nearly 400 AP functions (mainly US based), the IOFM focussed in on how benchmarking can help AP leaders to understand how their team is performing and … Continue reading "3 Steps to AP Efficiencies"

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In a recent Benchmark report from the Institute of Finance & Management (IOFM), Efficiencies were cited by Accounts Payables as their biggest challenge.

Based on a 2 year study of nearly 400 AP functions (mainly US based), the IOFM focussed in on how benchmarking can help AP leaders to understand how their team is performing and how performance can be improved.

Efficiencies were consistently identified as the biggest challenge to AP teams and were typically measured by metrics such as:

  • Supplier paid on time
  • Cost per invoice
  • Invoices per FTE
  • Staff per manager

These metrics can be monitored and compared to similar organisations in order to assess how the business is performing and where teams need to focus their efforts in order to be considered best-in-class.

Diving deeper into the research, the IOFM report shows that process imnprovement and automation rated as the highest priorities among respondents. Time management, securing approvals, reducing paper and improving on time payments were also cited as key efficiency challenges for AP leaders.

AP Leaders' Top Concerns

The report highlights the highly manual nature of most AP organisations and points to many of the challenges occuring before an invoice arrives with the AP team.

Upstream Challenges for AP Teams

Taking a look at the upstream problems that impact on AP efficiences, its clear that improving purchasing processes and automation can deliver significant benefits, not only to accounts payables, but to the organisation as a whole.

Receiving invoices late, lack of receipts, pricing discrepancies, approval audit trails and mis-matches are all a function of poor purchasing processes.

There are a number of solutions which can quickly address AP efficiencies.

3-Step Solution to AP Inefficiencies:

  1. Map Your Processes – take a look at your current workflow, document each step. Start as early in the process as possible, such as purchase requisition or supplier selection. Identify bottlenecks and opportunities to streamline the process.
  2. Implement Cloud based Purchase Approvals – automate your purchase-to-pay process using cloud based platforms, such as Zahara. By implementing easy to use, low cost cloud based platforms, you will be able to capture powerful powerful performance data while ensuring an efficient process for automating budgets, purchase requisitions, orders, receipts, invoices and approvals.
  3. Monitor, Improve & Benchmark – identify the key performance metrics that you need to focus in on. The IOFM suggest paid on time,  cost of invoice, invoices per FTE and staff per manager as quantifable data to compare with similar businesses.  With software in place such as Zahara, this type of data is readily available and allows management to deliver tangible business benefits, whilst the team optimise efficiencies.

To discuss how you can improve the efficiency of your organisation, please contact Zahara.

Get a copy of the IOFM report here.

 

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