Glossary
What is invoice matching?
Invoice matching is the accounts payable check that compares a supplier invoice with the purchase order and the receipt before the invoice is paid.
How invoice matching works
A buyer issues a purchase order with specific requirements. When the goods or services arrive, a receipt records what was delivered. The supplier then invoices for payment, and accounts payable compares the three documents.
What an invoice exception is
An exception arises when the invoice does not agree with the documents that support it, for example a different price, quantity or item, a missing purchase order or a duplicate invoice. Exceptions are held and routed to the right person to resolve before payment.
Why it matters
Matching ensures the business pays only for what it ordered and received, at the agreed price. It allows faster settlement of clean invoices and reduces the risk of fraud and payment of fake invoices.
How Aavenir handles it
Invoiceflow matches each invoice line against the purchase order, the receipt and the rates in the contract, approves clean invoices quickly and sends exceptions to the right person with the mismatch highlighted. See invoice to contract compliance.
Keep reading
Two way invoice matching Two way invoice matching checks an invoice against its purchase order before payment.Read more 
Invoice management Invoice management is how accounts payable receives, checks, approves and pays supplier invoices, and records each payment.Read more Purchase order A purchase order is the buyer's formal document that commits to buy set goods or services at set prices.Read more Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Common questions
What is the difference between two way and three way matching?
Two way matching checks the invoice against the purchase order. Three way matching also checks it against the receipt, confirming the goods or services were actually delivered. Read about two way invoice matching.
What causes invoice exceptions?
Price or quantity differences, missing or wrong purchase order numbers, missing receipts, duplicate invoices and tax errors. Many trace back to purchase orders that do not reflect the contract. Read about invoice reconciliation.
Why match invoices to the contract as well?
A purchase order can carry the wrong price. Checking invoice rates against the contract catches overcharges that a purchase order match would miss. It is a common source of recoverable overpayments. See Invoiceflow.
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