Simplifying the settlement of invoices: A practical guide

Settlement of invoices isn’t simply about paying off a bill. It’s a process that ensures every payment, adjustment, or write-off tied to an invoice is accounted for and settled. There are no messy records, just tidy transactions.

It paves the way for flawless financial records, better cash flow, and smooth business operations. Which business owner wouldn’t want that?

However, nearly 50% of businesses struggle with late supplier payments and missed discounts due to protracted AP approval cycles. In this article, we will guide you through the essential aspects of invoice settlement and provide practical tips to help you settle an invoice properly.

What is an invoice settlement? 

Invoice settlement in accounts payable and receivable indicates the reconciliation of an invoice balance. It involves partial payment, adjusting the balance to zero through credit or debit memos. Adjustments may result from returned goods, invoicing errors, dispute resolution, overpayments, or write-offs, ensuring accurate financial records.

This might sound straightforward, but consider situations where there are adjustments such as discounts, returns, or errors. In such cases, the invoice settlement process can be more complex. It could involve issuing or receiving credit or debit memos, adjusting the invoice amount, or even disputing the invoice before it is settled.

Let’s look at an example. Suppose you’re a clothing retailer and receive an invoice from a supplier for 100 pairs of jeans. However, upon checking the shipment, five pairs are defective. You inform the supplier, and they issue a credit memo for the faulty items. Now, the invoice settlement involves paying the supplier for 95 pairs of jeans, not 100, and accounting for the credit memo in your financial records.

The impact of efficient invoice settlement

Accurately settling your invoices helps maintain a healthy cash flow as it ensures that your records are precise and payments are timely. It reduces disputes and delays, thus preventing late fees and other financial complications.

Here are some benefits of efficiently handling invoice settlements:

1. Improved cash flow: By regularly reconciling your invoices, you can accurately forecast your cash flow, helping you maintain a positive cash balance and avoiding unnecessary borrowing.

2. Accurate financial records: Consistent invoice settlement allows for accurate documentation of all transactions. This aids in better financial analysis and reporting, ensuring all payments, nettings, credits, and debits are recorded correctly.

3. Smooth business operations: When invoices are settled promptly and accurately, relationships with suppliers, customers, and third parties are improved. This leads to smoother business operations and potential growth opportunities.

4. Compliance gets easier: When your financial records are accurate and up-to-date, it becomes easier to comply with financial rules and regulations. Whether it’s tax season or a routine audit, you can confidently share your records, knowing they reflect the actual state of your business’s finances.

5. Better forecasts: Accurate invoice settlements provide a clear picture of your financial status, allowing for better financial planning and forecasting. This can guide your business decisions and strategies, helping you to invest wisely and grow your business.

The different types of invoice settlements

It is essential to understand that not all invoice settlements are the same. Different types of invoice settlements may apply depending on the specific circumstances and terms of the agreement.

An overview of different types of invoice settlements

Settlement Type	Description	When/Why Used
Full Payment	Complete amount of the invoice is paid off.	No discrepancies, standard transaction.
Partial Payment	Only part of the invoice amount is settled.	Disputes or financial constraints.
Credit Memo	Seller issues a document reducing the amount owed.	Overcharges, returns, rebates, discounts.
Debit Memo	Buyer issues a document requesting a reduction in the amount owed.	Vendor overcharges, defective goods.
Third-Party Payment	Payment is made through an intermediary or financial service provider.	Use of payment gateways like PayPal, insurance claims.
Disputed Payment	Invoice amount is contested and withheld until resolved.	Discrepancies in invoicing details.
Exchange of Goods	Settlement through exchange of goods or services instead of monetary payment.	Barter systems or trade deals.
Discount Received	Buyer settles less than the total amount due because of a discount.	Early payment, bulk purchase, promotional offer.
Payment in Installments	The total invoice amount is broken down into several payments over a period.	Large invoices or agreed-upon payment plans.
Write-Off	Seller considers the invoice as a loss, typically due to non-payment.	Unrecoverable debts, financial hardship.

Here are some of the most common types when you’re the buyer:

1. Full payment: Also known as cleared payment, you pay the total amount on the invoice by the due date. This is the most common type of invoice settlement, often seen in standard transactions without disputes, adjustments, or errors.

2. Partial payment: In this case, you pay a portion of the total invoice amount. This could be due to several reasons, such as a negotiated payment plan, disputes over the quality or quantity of goods or services, or financial constraints.

3. Credit memo received: Also called a credit note, it is a legal document issued by a seller to you indicating that a certain amount has been removed from the total invoice due. This can occur for reasons such as returns, rebates, or discounts.

4. Debit memo issued: A debit note is a document you give the seller indicating that you’d like to decrease the amount you owe them. This could happen for overcharging, defective goods, or short deliveries.

5. Payment through third parties: Sometimes, payments are made via a mediator or third party. This could include transactions made using a credit card, through a financial service provider like PayPal, or via a healthcare insurance company for medical invoices.

6. Disputed payment: This occurs when you contest the amount stated on the invoice for various reasons, including discrepancies in the price, quantity, or quality of goods or services or errors in the invoice itself. The disputed amount is withheld until the issue is resolved.

7. Exchange of goods: Sometimes, you might settle an invoice by providing a good or service in return rather than making a monetary payment. This is common in barter systems or trade-in deals.

8. Discount received: This happens when a discount is provided by the seller, which could be based on various factors such as early payment, bulk purchase, or a promotional offer. The discount reduces the total amount due on the invoice. Therefore, the invoice settlement, in this case, involves paying the discounted amount rather than the original total.

9. Payment in installments: This involves paying the invoice amount in several parts over a specified period. This could be due to a high invoice amount or a mutually agreed payment plan. The invoice is considered settled once all the installments have been made successfully.

10. Write-off: Sometimes, if you cannot pay the invoice due to financial hardship or if the seller decides it’s not worth the effort to collect, they might write off the invoice. This means they consider the invoice as a loss in their financial records.

Now, when you’re the seller, the types of invoice settlements can be slightly different:

1. Full payment received: You receive the full payment for the invoice you issued, with no adjustments, disputes, or errors.

2. Partial payment received: Sometimes, you might only receive a part of the total payment due. This could be due to discrepancies in the invoice, disputes from the buyer, or payment plans.

3. Credit memos issued: You might give a credit memo to the buyer, reducing the amount they owe. This could be due to overcharging, returned goods, or applied discounts.

4. Debit memos received: The buyer might issue a debit memo to you, requesting a decrease in the amount they owe. This could be due to overcharges, defective goods, or short deliveries you need to account for.

5. Payments through third parties: When payments are made through a third party, you receive the payment from a mediator. This could be when transactions are made using a financial service provider, via a healthcare insurance company for medical invoices, or through credit card payments.

6. Disputed payment: When the buyer contests the invoice amount for various reasons, such as discrepancies in the price, quantity, or quality of goods or services or errors in the invoice itself, it’s a disputed payment. As the seller, you must resolve the issue before receiving the disputed amount.

7. Receipt of goods: Sometimes, you might settle an invoice by accepting a good or service in return rather than receiving a monetary payment. This is common in barter systems or trade-in deals.

8. Writing off as bad debts: Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a buyer may fail to fulfill their payment obligations. In such cases, you may have no choice but to write off the unpaid amount as a bad debt. This means you know the invoice will not be paid and remove it from your accounts receivable process. While this is an unfortunate outcome, it is necessary to maintain accurate financial records.

9. Discounts allowed: This is when you offer a discount to the buyer, which could be based on factors such as early payment, bulk purchase, or a promotional offer. The discount reduces the total amount due on the invoice. Therefore, the invoice settlement, in this case, involves receiving the discounted amount rather than the original total.

10. Advance payment: Sometimes, a buyer may pay for goods or services in advance, even before the goods are delivered or the services are rendered. This can be a common scenario in contracts or agreements that require prepayment. In such cases, the invoice is settled as soon as the payment is received, making it an advance payment.

Businesses use various methods to settle invoices based on their unique context. For example, retainage—typical in construction—relies on withholding a percentage of the total contract cost until work is entirely done to client satisfaction.

Mastering these methods is critical to efficient financial management and smooth operations. Different situations may necessitate different approaches to invoice settlements, and understanding these offers flexibility and convenience.

The accounting treatment of invoice settlements

Now that you know about the different types of invoice settlements, let’s explore how they will be recorded in your accounting records.

Accounting treatments for various types of invoice settlements

Accounting Treatment	Description	Debit	Credit
Full Payment Received	Full invoice amount is paid and received.	Cash/Bank Account	Accounts Receivable
Partial Payment Received	Only a portion of the invoice amount is received.	Cash/Bank Account	Accounts Receivable
Credit Memos Issued	Seller issues a document to reduce the amount owed, reflecting returns or discounts.	Sales Returns & Allowances	Accounts Receivable
Debit Memos Received	Buyer issues a document requesting a reduction in the amount owed.	Accounts Receivable	Sales Returns & Allowances
Payments through Third Parties	Payments made via intermediaries or financial service providers.	Cash/Bank Account	Accounts Receivable
Disputed Payment	Invoice amount is contested, recorded separately until resolved.	Dispute Resolution Account*	Accounts Receivable
Receipt of Goods	Acceptance of goods or services in lieu of payment.	Inventory/Assets	Accounts Receivable
Write-Off as Bad Debts	Unpaid invoice amount is acknowledged as unrecoverable and removed.	Bad Debts Expense	Accounts Receivable
Discounts Allowed	Discount on invoice granted, reducing the total amount payable.	Sales Discounts	Accounts Receivable
Advance Payment Received	Payment is received in advance before delivery of goods or services.	Cash/Bank Account	Unearned Revenue (liability)

Note: The Dispute Resolution Account is hypothetical and used here to illustrate where a disputed payment might be temporarily recorded; in practice, this could be detailed in a notes receivable account or similar.

1. Full payment received: When the entire payment for an invoice is received, it is recorded as a debit in your cash account and a credit in your accounts receivable account. This is because the cash account increases with the receipt of money, while the accounts receivable account decreases as the invoice is settled.

2. Partial payment received: A partial payment is recorded as a decrease in the accounts receivable account and an increase in the cash account. You might also need to record a bad debt or allowance for doubtful accounts for the unpaid amount.

3. Credit memos issued: When you give a credit memo, it’s recorded as a decrease in your accounts receivable and an increase in your sales returns and allowances account. This reflects the reduction in the amount owed by the customer.

4. Debit memos received: When you receive a debit memo, it’s recorded as an increase in your accounts receivable and a decrease in your sales returns and allowances account. This reflects the increase in the amount you owe to the customer.

5. Payments through third parties: When payments are made through a third party, it’s recorded as a decrease in your accounts receivable and an increase in your cash account. The third party’s fee might also be recorded as an expense in your books.

6. Disputed payment: When a payment is disputed, it’s recorded as a potential decrease in your accounts receivable, pending dispute resolution. Till the dispute is resolved, the amount might be recorded as a separate line item in your books to reflect the uncertainty.

7. Receipt of goods: When you accept goods or services in lieu of payment, the value of the goods or services is recorded as a decrease in your accounts receivable and an increase in your inventory or assets, as applicable.

8. Writing off as bad debts: When you write off an invoice as a bad debt, it’s recorded as a decrease in your accounts receivable and an increase in your bad debts expense account. This reflects the acknowledgment that the invoice will not be paid and needs to be removed from your expected income.

9. Discounts allowed: When you allow a discount on an invoice, it’s recorded as a decrease in your accounts receivable and an increase in your sales discounts account. This shows the reduced amount due to the discount offered on the invoice.

10. Advance payment: An advance payment is recorded as an increase in your cash account and your unearned revenue (a liability account) until the goods are delivered or services are rendered. Once the delivery or services are fulfilled, the unearned revenue is decreased, and revenue is recognized in your income statement. This reflects your obligation to deliver goods or services for which you have already received payment.

Whether using a digital accounting tool or employing traditional bookkeeping methods, consistent and accurate application of these principles will result in a clear and understandable financial picture of your business.

How does the settlement of invoice process work?

The invoice settlement process is a multi-step procedure. It typically begins with the issuance of an invoice by the seller to the buyer and ends with the receipt of payment.

Here’s a general overview of the steps involved in the invoice settlement process:

1. Issuance of the invoice: The seller issues an invoice to the buyer detailing the goods or services provided, their costs, and the total amount due. The invoice could be sent via email, mail, or even hand-delivered, depending on the agreed-upon method of communication.

2. Receipt of the invoice: The buyer receives it, extracts the necessary information, and records it in their accounting and ERP systems. This step involves verifying the invoice details, including purchase order number, invoice number, date, vendor name, and amount due.

3. Invoice matching and review: To ensure accurate information, the buyer then matches the invoice with their purchase order and any delivery receipts. Any discrepancies would need to be taken care of at this stage before further processing. This might involve contacting the seller for clarification or rectification.

4. Approval of the invoice: Once verified, it’s approved for payment. Depending on the company’s internal processes, this might require sign-off from multiple departments or individuals.

5. Scheduling and making payment: After approval, the accounting system generates a payment schedule, initiating the payment process. The payment could be made via various methods, such as bank transfer, check, or online payment gateway.

6. Posting and reconciliation: The payment is then posted in the buyer’s accounting records, and the payment updates the accounts payable ledger. After posting, the accounting system will automatically reconcile the payment with the corresponding invoice, closing out the payable.

7. Invoice closure: Once payment is confirmed and the accounts are reconciled, the invoice is marked as paid and closed. This indicates that there’s no need for anything else for this particular invoice.

8. Confirmation of payment: The seller receives the payment and confirms its receipt. This could be through a formal receipt acknowledgment or an update in their own accounting records to reflect the payment received against that particular invoice.

9. Financial reporting: Both the buyer and the seller reflect the transaction and its settlement in their respective financial statements. This includes updating the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement as necessary, providing an accurate and up-to-date financial picture of the business.

ERP software and digital accounting tools often automate many of these steps, reducing the potential for error and enhancing efficiency. Nanonets AP automation is one such tool that can streamline the invoice settlement process from end to end.

It uses artificial intelligence to automate invoice data capture, AP approvals, payment, and reconciliation, which reduces manual intervention and helps to ensure accuracy and speed in your accounts payable processes.

How do we optimize the invoice settlement process?

Some common challenges in the invoice settlement process include incorrect invoices, delayed payments, and inefficient manual processes. These can lead to increased workload, reduced cash flow, and strained vendor relationships.

To overcome these challenges and optimize the invoice settlement process, consider the following strategies:

Strategies for optimizing the invoice settlement process

Strategy	Action Step
Automate invoice ingestion	Implement software solutions to automatically import invoices into your system for processing.
Use AI-OCR for invoice data capture	Utilize AI-driven Optical Character Recognition to accurately extract data from invoices, minimizing manual entry.
Implement three-way matching	Set up a system to automatically compare purchase orders, receipts, and invoices before approving payments.
Streamline invoice approval	Design an automated workflow for invoice approval that minimizes delays and ensures prompt processing.
Implement dynamic discounting	Take advantage of early payment discounts by configuring your systems to recognize and prompt for such opportunities.
Ensure seamless data flow	Integrate your accounting software with your ERP and other systems to ensure data consistency across platforms.
Regularly audit and update processes	Conduct routine audits to identify inefficiencies and update processes according to current best practices.

1. Automate invoice ingestion

According to a study by Levvel Research, 79% of SMEs and 68% of mid-market firms cite manual data input and inefficient procedures as their primary pain point. It is a pain for your team to manually upload each invoice and enter the data into your system. Constantly refreshing your email inbox and scanning through attachments is hardly efficient.

Instead, having an automatic data import feature will save you time and reduce the chances of error. It will also ensure a smooth flow of invoices into the system without any bottlenecks or delays.

Nanonets provides various options for auto-import, such as email, API integration, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier. Regardless of the origin of your invoices, you can easily import them into the system automatically.

2. Use AI-OCR for invoice data capture

It’s important to note that every invoice contains specific information, and not all invoices are structured similarly. Some invoices may be in a different language, have a foreign currency, or be subject to different compliance laws. Additionally, the format of each invoice may vary. Therefore, traditional OCR tools cannot be used for data capture.

An AI-powered OCR solution like Nanonets uses machine learning to understand and accurately capture data from various invoice formats. It can recognize text in multiple languages and convert it into actionable data. This reduces the need for manual data entry, minimizes errors, and speeds up the entire invoice processing cycle.

3. Implement three-way matching

Employ a three-way matching system to ensure that you only pay for what you’ve received. This process compares the purchase order, the goods receipt note, and the invoice to confirm that everything aligns before payment is released. Any discrepancies can be automatically flagged for review.

This automated check not only safeguards against overpayments but also helps prevent fraud. Setting up such controls can significantly reduce the risk of paying for undelivered or incorrect items.

With Nanonets, this becomes a seamless part of the process. The platform can automatically match and verify these documents, alerting you to any issues early on. This capability ensures that all your payments are accurate and legitimate.

4. Streamline invoice approval

The manual approval process can be delayed as invoices get stuck awaiting sign-offs from busy stakeholders. This slows down the payment cycle and increases the chances of losing invoices or forgetting to follow up.

By leveraging automated workflow capabilities, you can substantially reduce the time it takes to approve invoices. Based on pre-defined rules, a computerized system can route invoices to the appropriate personnel for approval. Additionally, reminders and notifications can be set to ensure approvers complete their tasks promptly.

With Nanonets, businesses can customize their approval workflow based on their needs. Custom approval sequences can be set up based on invoice amount, department, project, or other criteria. Live status updates, automated alerts, and reminders can help businesses track each invoice’s progress and prevent delays or missed payments.

5. Implement dynamic discounting

Take advantage of early payment discounts by setting up dynamic discounting protocols. These arrangements encourage early invoice settlement by offering a discount for payments made before the due date.

For instance, a vendor might offer a 2% discount on the invoice total if paid within ten days of receipt. Not only does this improve your working capital by lowering costs, but it also strengthens relationships with vendors who benefit from improved cash flow.

Using Nanonets, you can configure payment terms to capture discount opportunities automatically. The system can alert you when discounts are available, ensuring you take advantage of potential savings.

6. Ensure seamless data flow between your systems

Integrating your accounting software with other business systems you use is critical. Without seamless integration, data has to be manually transferred between systems, which is time-consuming and prone to error.

An integrated system ensures that once an invoice is approved, all necessary data automatically flows into your accounting ledger, inventory management system, and other relevant systems.

Nanonets can be integrated with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, and other leading accounting packages, ensuring a smooth data exchange. Moreover, it has a Zapier integration, which means it can connect with over 6,000 apps, further automating workflows.

The data from Nanonets can be easily synced with these systems in real time, eliminating data silos and ensuring smooth, error-free data transfer. Moreover, when all relevant data is synced across platforms, you can trust that your financial reports are up-to-date and reflective of your current business activities.

7. Regularly audit and update your processes

Even with automation and advanced technologies in place, reviewing and refining your invoice settlement processes regularly is crucial. Markets evolve, new compliance regulations emerge, and business needs change over time.

Regular audits can help identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies that may have crept into the system. These reviews also offer an opportunity to update workflows to adapt to new business realities or to take advantage of emerging technologies.

Ensuring that your invoice management processes remain robust and responsive to the changing environment will save you time and money in the long run.

Nanonets provides analytics and reporting tools that enable you to track your invoicing process and identify areas for improvement. Analyzing trends and performance metrics allows you to make data-driven decisions to optimize your workflows and ensure compliance with the latest standards.

Final thoughts

In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing invoice settlement is about keeping the books in order and enhancing your company’s operational efficiency and financial health. AI-driven tools like Nanonets can transform a traditionally labor-intensive and error-prone process into a strategic advantage.

By automating critical elements of invoice processing, from data capture to payment execution, businesses can reduce costs, take control of their cash flow, and build stronger relationships with suppliers.