Invoice Exception Handling: Turning the 20% That Breaks Automation Into a Manageable Queue
Even the best AP automation handles maybe 80% of invoices without human touch. The other 20% — missing POs, quantity mismatches, unit price discrepancies, missing documentation, disputed items — are the exceptions. How exceptions get handled determines whether AP is a smooth operation or a constant firefight. A structured exception workflow with clear categories, routing rules, and resolution SLAs turns the exception queue into a predictable process rather than a pile of stuck invoices.