Understanding Common Invoice Discrepancies and How Automation Can Help
2/28/2024 by Andy Birkey
Invoice discrepancies happen! They can cause delays, a strain on vendor relationships, and financial inconsistencies. Fortunately, there are tools to mitigate these issues. MetaViewer's AI-powered Accounts Payable (AP) automation can offer an effective resolution to many common discrepancies. Here’s what to look for:
Common Types of Invoice Discrepancies
Invoice discrepancies can arise from various issues, ranging from simple clerical errors to complex compliance mismatches. The most common types include:
- Price Discrepancies: When the price on the invoice does not match the purchase order or contract terms.
- Quantity Discrepancies: Differences between the quantity ordered and the quantity billed on the invoice.
- Mathematical Errors: Calculation errors in the invoice total, including incorrect tax or discount applications.
- Mismatched Details: Inaccuracies in vendor details, purchase order numbers, or product descriptions.
- Duplicate Invoices: Submitting the same invoice more than once, leading to potential overpayments.
- Unauthorized Purchases: Charges for goods or services not authorized by the purchasing company.
Each type of discrepancy requires careful review and resolution, often necessitating significant manual effort and time, which can lead to operational inefficiencies and increased costs.
Resolving Discrepancies with MetaViewer's AI-Powered AP Automation
By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, MetaViewer automates the invoice processing workflow, reducing manual intervention and the potential for human error. Here’s how it addresses common issues:
- Automated Invoice Matching: MetaViewer's AI algorithms can automatically match invoices with corresponding purchase orders and contracts, identifying price and quantity discrepancies instantly.
- Error Detection and Correction: The system is designed to spot mathematical errors and mismatched details, alerting users to discrepancies, and flagging for correction.
- Duplicate Invoice Detection: Automation technology can identify duplicate invoices based on vendor details, invoice numbers, and other unique identifiers, preventing overpayments.
- Compliance and Authorization Checks: MetaViewer ensures that payables processes comply with company policies and that purchases are duly authorized through approval processes, minimizing unauthorized expenditure.
- Streamlined Discrepancy Resolution: When discrepancies are identified, MetaViewer facilitates swift resolution by routing the invoice to the appropriate personnel for review and approval, streamlining the process.
In addition to handling invoice discrepancies, MetaViewer offers numerous benefits including reduced invoice processing time, increased accuracy, cost savings, and a higher level of visibility and control over financial processes.