The automation and enhancement of accounts payable invoice processing is greatly aided by digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Various IT companies in the world are using AI to extract, verify, approve, and pay invoices more efficiently by using AP automation for AI invoice processing. Through validation, they avoid paying dishonest suppliers, cut down on invoice processing expenses, and make fewer payment mistakes.
Find out about intelligent invoice processing that makes use of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Learn about AI invoice processing, including its applications, advantages, and automated accounts payable solutions.
What is AI Invoice Processing?
AI invoice processing combines automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to automatically code GL accounts, predict approvers, match invoices to purchase orders and receipts, verify invoices and flag discrepancies, and capture supplier invoice data by header and line items using smart OCR.
Error-prone manual data entry and document processing tasks are eliminated when using AI to process invoices. Rather, it makes it possible to use an AI-powered automation software as an invoice processing solution in a paperless accounts payable system.
How Does AI for Invoice Processing Work?
AI-powered AP automation invoice processing examines and compares digital invoice data that has been captured with purchase orders and receiving information. By employing artificial intelligence (AI) in automated invoice processing, the software detects disparities, directs invoice approvals, and automates the payment of invoices from international suppliers.
In order to automate and streamline accounts payable processes and support business spend analysis for cost control and decision-making, AI for invoice processing integrates AP automation software (using AI technology) with your accounting software or ERP system.
Invoice Data Capture using AI
Intelligent OCR technology is used in AI invoice processing to automatically extract supplier invoice data from uploaded or emailed invoice document files and instantly convert it to a machine-readable format.
OCR, which is enhanced with machine learning technology for experience-improved accuracy, is used for automated invoice data capture. Training on test data is the first step in machine learning, and subsequent data improves results.
These are some of the details taken from invoices during data collection.
- Invoice number
- Invoice date
- Invoice due date
- Purchase order number
- Vendor contact information and other headers
- Invoice payment terms
- Line item part numbers, descriptions, quantity, unit price, extended price total
- Sales tax
- Amount due
AI Invoice Processing Workflows for Accounts Payable
Workflows for the accounts payable process are finished by AI-based invoice processing, which begins with the collection of supplier invoice data. In large batches, it will extract data for global electronic payment, approval, 3-way or 2-way matching, and invoice verification with minimal human involvement.
AI-powered AP automation software integrates with your ERP system and offers automatic real-time general ledger reconciliation.
In accordance with industry best practices, AI-enhanced accounts payable automation software incorporates global regulatory compliance, automated invoice receipt and payment status notifications, guided self-service supplier onboarding, and automatic supplier tax compliance preparation reports.
Applications of AI for Invoice Processing
Applications for AI invoice processing are numerous and include AI accounting for accounts payable as well as digitally receiving, confirming, matching, approving, and paying supplier invoices.
These use cases are examples of AI invoice processing applications.
OCR invoice capture with data extraction:
Since invoice formats and layouts differ depending on the supplier and are unstructured data documents, invoice capture is a great way to use machine learning in artificial intelligence. Other automated invoice processing steps can be carried out by AI invoice processing using the digitalized data.
Automating general ledger coding:
Using ChatGPT’s embedded generative AI to automate invoice coding is one way to boost efficiency through AI invoice processing automation.
Identifying invoice vs. purchase order coding discrepancies:
Invoice processing using AI and machine learning detects and highlights PO discrepancies that need investigation.
Preventing payment of duplicate invoices:
AI can help businesses improve payment controls and save money by warning accounts payable employees about duplicate invoices that shouldn’t be paid to the same supplier twice.
Predicting invoice approvers for automated routing:
When deciding which approvers should be used for each invoice approval, AI takes the place of human judgment.
Validating supplier tax forms and withholding:
AI validation helps taxpayers fill out IRS tax forms 1042-S, 1099-MISC, and 1099-NEC, which improves tax compliance and lowers fraud. When your business files its related information returns, accuracy of the TIN (taxpayer identification number) will guarantee that it avoids IRS penalties.
Chatbot/digital assistant for business intelligence:
Users can examine their spending and ask questions to get answers for better decision-making and spend management when AP automation software incorporates the ChatGTP large language model or another generative AI.
Benefits of AI-Based Invoice Processing
The time needed to finish AI-assisted automated invoice processing following procurement is reduced by AP automation. It offers additional advantages, such as cost savings and improved detection of fraud, mistakes, and duplicate invoice payments, in addition to cutting down on processing time.
Your business saves money by doing away with the AP team’s manual data entry and paper document processing for efficiency. Through the use of AI payment rules, it enhances cash flow by identifying inconsistencies and duplicate payments that could lead to overpaying your suppliers or vendors.
Your business gains real-time insight into expenditures when invoices are entered into the accounting system more quickly.
Summary of Benefits from AI Invoice Processing
An overview of the advantages of processing invoices using AI is as follows.
- Increasing efficiency to reduce hiring and save money.
- Cutting expenses, duplicate invoice payments, and human error.
- Automatisering van intelligent facturenbeheer.
- Enhancing compliance, financial controls, and security.
- Reducing fraudulent payment risks.
- Processing invoices for payment more immediately will permit you to avoid late fees and take advantage of earlier payment discounts.
- Directing corresponding digital invoices automatically for a speedy online invoice approval procedure.
- Enhancing supplier relationships by communicating more effectively and making payments on time.
- For improved cash management, profitability, and spend management, real-time spend visibility and analysis are provided.
- Releasing additional accounting resources for financial strategy projects that will enhance business outcomes.
- Implementing best practices via digital transformation driven by AI.
AI in Invoice Automation: Best Practices
Experts like Aberdeen Group and Paystream Advisors have found that companies that follow best practices process invoices for $5 or less per invoice, which is significantly less than the average of $12 and the $15 to $20 range. Utilizing Tipalti’s Invoice Processing and Payment Calculator, you can determine the cost per invoice for your business.
How to Implement AI in Your Invoice Processing Workflows
Use an API or CSV file integration that maps fields and syncs data between systems to integrate your ERP or accounting software with add-on AP automation software to handle your invoice processing workflows using best practices for in accounts payable.
Tipalti AP Automation for AI Invoice Processing
Your accounting software or ERP system will sync and integrate with cloud-based Tipalti AP automation with ease. With a combined view, Tipalti manages accounts payable by the entity and provides insight into current spending and cash-flow needs if your ERP system supports multi-entity and real-time functionality
Invoice processing for accounts payable workflows using machine learning and end-to-end finance is handled by Tipalti. A Supplier Hub for guided self-service supplier onboarding with automated supplier validation is offered by Tipalti AP automation. Data from the W-9 and W-8 forms is gathered by the Supplier Hub. To cut down on AP questions from vendors, it displays invoice and payment history and status.
Summing Up
Your business is wasting time, making needless payment errors, limiting the AP team to the office, and hiring more people all the time to keep up with the volume of invoices if it is still processing invoices manually without the use of AI.
Rather, your business will more effectively pay its supplier invoices, implement financial controls to stop fraudulent supplier payments, and minimize expensive payment errors with scalable and automated AI invoice processing.