<P> Most organizations have clear instructions regarding processing incoming invoices . Different sets of instructions are commonly found in most organizations regarding the handling of purchase order invoices or non-purchase order invoices . The main department that processes invoices is known as accounts payable department . The process involving a supplier invoice is also known as purchase - to - pay . </P> <P> A typical process involving paying a supplier invoice begins at the arrival of invoice at the door of the organization regardless of the methods of arrival such as via email, postal mail, facsimile, etc . Once the invoice arrives, the accounts payable clerk must ensure that the document is indeed an invoice . Then the clerk classifies and sorts the invoice into various categories . The definition of various categories is not always the same across different organizations but is normally defined by each organization . </P> <P> Once its category defined, the invoice is forwarded to the responsible person for that particular invoice . This is normally the person who has placed that order . If there has been a purchase order involved when placing that order, the invoice must then be matched against the purchase order to ensure that the amount invoiced is correctly stated on the invoice . If the amount is right and the goods have arrived, the responsible person will have to approve the invoice by signing off on it . If the amount invoiced exceeds a certain amount that is limited by the organization, the superior of that person may have to approve the invoice as well . This, of course, differs from organization to organization . </P> <P> Once the invoice has been approved and there have been no variances, the invoice is posted into the accounting system . </P>

What is the purpose of a supplier invoice