Data Template: Accounts Payable Invoice Processing

NetSuite
Data Template: Accounts Payable Invoice Processing

Your Accounts Payable Invoice Processing Data Template

This comprehensive template is designed to guide you through collecting the necessary data for optimizing your Accounts Payable Invoice Processing. It outlines the essential attributes to collect and the key activities to track within your event log. Additionally, you will find practical guidance on extracting this data specifically from NetSuite, ensuring you have all the information needed for accurate process analysis and improvement.
  • Recommended attributes to collect
  • Key activities to track
  • Extraction guidance for NetSuite
New to event logs? Learn how to create a process mining event log.

Accounts Payable Invoice Processing Attributes

These are the recommended data fields to include in your event log for comprehensive accounts payable invoice processing analysis.
5 Required 6 Recommended 11 Optional
Name Description
Activity
ActivityName
The name of the business activity or event that occurred in the invoice process.
Description

This attribute describes a specific step or milestone in the Accounts Payable process, such as 'Vendor Bill Created', 'Invoice Approved', or 'Payment Executed'.

Analyzing the sequence and frequency of these activities is the core of process mining. It helps visualize the process flow, identify common and rare process variants, and pinpoint bottlenecks or deviations from the standard procedure. The defined activities form the nodes in the process map.

Why it matters

It defines the steps of the process, allowing for the visualization of the process map, calculation of transition times, and identification of bottlenecks and rework loops.

Where to get

Derived from system logs, audit trails, or status changes on the Vendor Bill and related payment records in NetSuite. This often requires transformation logic.

Examples
Vendor Bill CreatedInvoice ApprovedPayment ExecutedDiscrepancy Identified
Invoice
Invoice
The unique identifier for each vendor invoice.
Description

The 'Invoice' serves as the primary case identifier, linking all activities from the moment an invoice is received until its final payment.

This attribute is essential for reconstructing the end-to-end journey of each invoice. In analysis, it allows for filtering, aggregation, and detailed examination of individual invoice process flows, forming the backbone of variant analysis and cycle time calculations.

Why it matters

It is the fundamental attribute that connects all related events into a single process instance, enabling end-to-end analysis of each invoice's lifecycle.

Where to get

This is the primary key of the Vendor Bill transaction record in NetSuite, often referred to as the Transaction ID or Document Number.

Examples
INV-2023-001237894561VN54321A
Start Time
EventTime
The timestamp indicating when an activity or event started.
Description

This attribute records the precise date and time that a specific activity occurred. It provides the chronological order of events within each case.

This timestamp is critical for all time-based analysis, including calculating cycle times between activities, total end-to-end process duration, and identifying delays. It is used to order events correctly and forms the basis for performance KPIs like 'Average Invoice Approval Time' and 'Days Payable Outstanding'.

Why it matters

It provides the chronological sequence of events, which is essential for calculating all duration-based metrics, discovering bottlenecks, and understanding process performance.

Where to get

Timestamp fields associated with status changes or creation/modification dates in NetSuite's transaction records and system notes.

Examples
2023-10-26T10:00:00Z2023-11-15T14:35:10Z2024-01-05T09:12:05Z
Last Data Update
LastDataUpdate
The timestamp when the data for this event was last refreshed from the source system.
Description

This attribute indicates the most recent time the event data was extracted from NetSuite. It reflects the freshness of the data in the process mining tool.

This is important for understanding the timeliness of the analysis. Users can see how current the data is, which is especially important for operational dashboards tracking near real-time invoice statuses.

Why it matters

Provides transparency on data freshness, allowing users to understand how current the process analysis is and when the next data refresh is expected.

Where to get

This timestamp is generated by the data extraction tool or pipeline at the moment of data ingestion.

Examples
2024-03-10T02:00:00Z2024-03-11T02:00:00Z
Source System
SourceSystem
The system from which the data was extracted.
Description

This attribute identifies the origin of the process data. For this view, it will consistently be 'NetSuite'.

In environments with multiple systems (e.g., an external OCR system and an ERP), this field is crucial for data lineage and troubleshooting. It confirms that all events are being correctly attributed to the source system of record.

Why it matters

Ensures data provenance and is critical in multi-system environments to trace data back to its origin for validation and context.

Where to get

This is a static value ('NetSuite') populated during the data extraction and transformation process.

Examples
NetSuite
Approver
Approver
The user responsible for approving the invoice for payment.
Description

This attribute identifies the manager or budget holder who provided the final approval for the invoice. An invoice may have multiple approvers in its lifecycle.

This is a critical dimension for the 'Approval Bottleneck Analysis' dashboard. By analyzing approval times per approver, the business can identify individuals who are slow to approve, re-route invoices to balance workload, and streamline the overall approval process.

Why it matters

Directly supports the identification of approval bottlenecks and helps in analyzing the workload and performance of managers involved in the approval chain.

Where to get

This information is often stored in the workflow history or approval logs associated with the Vendor Bill transaction.

Examples
s.chenp.williamsr.davis
Invoice Amount
InvoiceAmount
The total monetary value of the invoice.
Description

This attribute represents the total gross amount due on the vendor invoice, before any deductions or discounts. It is a core financial metric for each case.

Invoice amount is used for financial analysis, such as categorizing invoices into value bands (high-value vs. low-value) to see if their process paths differ. It's also used in dashboards to understand the financial impact of bottlenecks or delays and is fundamental for DPO calculations.

Why it matters

Enables financial impact analysis of process inefficiencies and allows for segmentation of invoices by value to prioritize high-value items.

Where to get

The 'Amount' or 'Total' field in the header of the Vendor Bill transaction record.

Examples
1500.75250.0012500.50
Invoice Due Date
InvoiceDueDate
The date by which the invoice must be paid to avoid penalties.
Description

This attribute specifies the payment due date as determined by the vendor's payment terms and the invoice date. It is a critical deadline in the AP process.

This date is the benchmark for the 'Payment Compliance Dashboard' and the 'Payment Term Adherence Rate' KPI. It is used to determine if payments are on-time, early, or late, which directly impacts vendor relationships and can incur late payment fees.

Why it matters

Serves as the primary benchmark for measuring on-time payment performance, which is crucial for vendor relations and financial compliance.

Where to get

This is a standard 'Due Date' field on the Vendor Bill transaction record.

Examples
2023-11-302023-12-152024-02-28
Processor User
ProcessorUser
The user responsible for processing or entering the invoice.
Description

This attribute identifies the Accounts Payable team member who performed data entry or initial processing steps on the invoice.

This data is essential for the 'AP Staff Workload Distribution' dashboard. It helps managers analyze workload balance, identify training needs, and measure individual or team performance. It can also be used to investigate the root cause of errors by tracing them back to the processor.

Why it matters

Enables workload analysis, performance monitoring, and root cause analysis of errors by attributing activities to specific AP staff members.

Where to get

The 'Created By' or 'Modified By' fields in the system notes or audit trail for early-stage activities on the Vendor Bill.

Examples
j.doea.smithm.jones
Purchase Order Number
PurchaseOrderNumber
The identifier of the purchase order associated with the invoice, if applicable.
Description

This attribute links the vendor invoice to a pre-approved purchase order (PO). Its presence or absence is key to distinguishing between PO-backed and non-PO invoices.

This field is crucial for the 'PO/GR Matching Efficiency' dashboard and the 'PO/GR Matching Success Rate' KPI. Analyzing processes based on whether an invoice is PO-backed helps identify efficiency gains from three-way matching and opportunities for automation.

Why it matters

Distinguishes between PO and non-PO invoices, which often follow different process paths and have different automation potential. It's key to analyzing matching efficiency.

Where to get

This is typically found on the line items or in the header of the Vendor Bill record, linking it to a Purchase Order transaction.

Examples
PO-004589PO-005123null
Vendor Name
VendorName
The name of the vendor or supplier who submitted the invoice.
Description

This attribute identifies the legal name of the vendor associated with the invoice. It is a critical piece of master data linked to the transaction.

Analyzing the process by vendor helps identify supplier-specific issues, such as frequent discrepancies, payment delays, or opportunities for dynamic discounting. It is essential for the 'Invoice Status and Aging' dashboard to categorize open invoices and for relationship management.

Why it matters

Allows for performance analysis by vendor, helping to identify problematic suppliers, negotiate better terms, and manage relationships effectively.

Where to get

From the Vendor record linked to the Vendor Bill transaction. The field is typically labeled 'Vendor Name' or 'Company Name'.

Examples
Global Office Supplies Inc.Tech Solutions LLCCreative Marketing Co.
Company Code
CompanyCode
The identifier for the legal entity or subsidiary processing the invoice.
Description

This attribute specifies the company or subsidiary within the organization that is liable for the invoice. This is particularly relevant for businesses with multiple legal entities.

Analyzing the process by Company Code allows for performance comparison between different parts of the business. It can highlight variations in efficiency, compliance, or workload that are specific to a subsidiary, enabling targeted improvement initiatives.

Why it matters

Enables process performance to be compared across different legal entities or subsidiaries, facilitating targeted improvements and ensuring corporate governance.

Where to get

In NetSuite, this corresponds to the 'Subsidiary' field on the transaction record in a OneWorld account.

Examples
US01DE01UK01
Currency
Currency
The currency code for the invoice amount (e.g., USD, EUR).
Description

This attribute specifies the currency in which the invoice is denominated. It provides essential context for the 'InvoiceAmount'.

For multinational organizations, analyzing data in a single, consistent currency is vital. This field allows for proper currency conversion and ensures that financial metrics are compared on a like-for-like basis across different regions or business units.

Why it matters

Provides necessary context for all monetary values, ensuring accurate financial analysis, especially in multi-national operations.

Where to get

The 'Currency' field on the Vendor Bill transaction record, often linked to the vendor's master data.

Examples
USDEURGBPCAD
Discount Date
EarlyPaymentDiscountDate
The deadline to pay an invoice to be eligible for an early payment discount.
Description

This attribute specifies the last date a payment can be made to qualify for a vendor discount, as defined by the 'Payment Terms' (e.g., the '10' in '2% 10, Net 30').

This date is the primary driver for the 'Early Payment Discount Opportunities' dashboard. By comparing this date to the current date and payment date, the system can identify opportunities, measure the 'Early Payment Discount Capture Rate' KPI, and help the company maximize cost savings.

Why it matters

This is the critical date for maximizing cost savings through early payment discounts; tracking it helps optimize cash management.

Where to get

This is a calculated field on the Vendor Bill record, derived from the invoice date and the 'Terms' field.

Examples
2023-11-102024-01-20null
Document Type
DocumentType
The type of document being processed (e.g., Invoice, Credit Memo).
Description

This attribute differentiates between standard invoices and other related documents like credit memos, which may follow different processing rules or workflows.

Analyzing the process by document type ensures that you are comparing similar items. For instance, the approval process for a large invoice may be much more rigorous than for a small credit memo. This segmentation provides a more accurate view of process performance.

Why it matters

Allows for the segmentation of the process for different types of financial documents, which may have distinct paths and KPIs, leading to more precise analysis.

Where to get

This can be identified from the transaction type in NetSuite (e.g., 'Vendor Bill', 'Vendor Credit').

Examples
Standard InvoiceCredit MemoDebit Memo
Invoice Status
InvoiceStatus
The current processing status of the invoice.
Description

This attribute indicates the current state of the vendor bill within the AP lifecycle, such as 'Open', 'Pending Approval', or 'Paid in Full'.

This is a key attribute for the 'Invoice Status and Aging' dashboard, providing a snapshot of the current workload and liabilities. It allows for filtering to focus on open or problematic invoices and helps track progress towards completion.

Why it matters

Provides a real-time snapshot of where an invoice is in the process, which is essential for operational monitoring, workload management, and financial forecasting.

Where to get

The 'Status' field on the Vendor Bill transaction record.

Examples
OpenPending ApprovalPaid in Full
Is Early Pay Captured
IsEarlyPaymentCaptured
A flag indicating if an available early payment discount was successfully captured.
Description

This calculated boolean attribute checks if an invoice with an available discount was paid on or before the 'Early Payment Discount Date'.

This attribute is essential for measuring the 'Early Payment Discount Capture Rate' KPI and for the 'Early Payment Discount Opportunities' dashboard. It provides a clear success/failure metric for the company's discount capture strategy, highlighting missed savings.

Why it matters

Directly measures the effectiveness of the treasury or AP function in capturing cost savings, a key financial performance indicator.

Where to get

Calculated during data transformation: PaymentDate <= EarlyPaymentDiscountDate for invoices where a discount is available.

Examples
truefalsenull
Is On Time Payment
IsOnTimePayment
A flag indicating if the invoice was paid on or before its due date.
Description

This calculated boolean attribute evaluates whether the 'Payment Date' is less than or equal to the 'Invoice Due Date'. It provides a clear, binary outcome for each invoice's payment timeliness.

This attribute directly supports the 'Payment Compliance Dashboard' and is used to calculate the 'Payment Term Adherence Rate' KPI. It simplifies analysis by allowing users to instantly filter for all late payments and investigate their root causes.

Why it matters

Simplifies the analysis of payment timeliness and directly fuels KPIs related to payment term adherence and vendor relationship management.

Where to get

Calculated during data transformation: PaymentDate <= InvoiceDueDate.

Examples
truefalse
Is Rework
IsRework
A flag indicating if the activity is part of a rework loop.
Description

This calculated boolean attribute identifies activities that represent repeated work, such as a second 'Discrepancy Identified' event or an invoice being rejected and then resubmitted for approval.

This attribute is critical for the 'Rework and Error Analysis' dashboard and the 'Invoice Rework Rate' KPI. It allows the business to quantify the frequency and impact of rework, helping to pinpoint sources of inefficiency, errors, and process deviations.

Why it matters

Quantifies process inefficiency by flagging activities that represent wasted effort, allowing for targeted initiatives to improve quality and first-time-right rates.

Where to get

Calculated during data transformation by analyzing the sequence of activities for a given case. For example, if 'Invoice Approved' is followed by 'Invoice Rejected' and then another 'Invoice Approved'.

Examples
truefalse
Payment Date
PaymentDate
The date when the payment for the invoice was executed.
Description

This attribute records the date that the cash disbursement was made to the vendor. It marks the final financial settlement of the invoice.

This date is used to determine the actual end of the process for many KPIs, including 'Days Payable Outstanding' and 'Payment Term Adherence Rate'. It is the factual event used to measure against the 'Invoice Due Date' and 'Early Payment Discount Date'.

Why it matters

It marks the financial conclusion of the process and is the basis for calculating payment compliance, DPO, and discount capture KPIs.

Where to get

From the 'Date' field of the associated Bill Payment transaction record in NetSuite.

Examples
2023-11-282023-12-142024-02-25
Payment Terms
PaymentTerms
The agreed-upon terms for invoice payment (e.g., Net 30, 2% 10 Net 30).
Description

This attribute defines the conditions under which the vendor expects payment, including the timeframe and any potential discounts for early payment.

Payment terms are used to calculate the 'Invoice Due Date' and any 'Early Payment Discount Date'. They are essential for the 'Payment Compliance Dashboard' and for analyzing opportunities to capture early payment discounts, thereby optimizing working capital.

Why it matters

It determines payment deadlines and discount opportunities, directly impacting cash flow management and the ability to capture savings.

Where to get

The 'Terms' field on the Vendor Bill transaction, typically inherited from the Vendor master record.

Examples
Net 30Net 602% 10, Net 30
Processing Time
ProcessingTime
The time spent actively working on an activity.
Description

This attribute measures the duration from the start to the end of a single activity. It represents the time a resource was actively engaged in a task.

Unlike cycle time (which includes waiting time), processing time helps analyze the actual effort required for specific tasks. For example, it could measure the time spent on 'PO Matching Attempted' to assess the efficiency of that specific step and identify opportunities for automation.

Why it matters

Measures the actual work duration of an activity, helping to distinguish between active work time and idle wait time for better resource and efficiency analysis.

Where to get

Calculated by taking the difference between an activity's EndTime and StartTime. Requires both timestamps to be available for each activity.

Examples
PT5MPT1H30MPT8H
Required Recommended Optional

Accounts Payable Invoice Processing Activities

These are the key process steps and milestones to capture in your event log for accurate process discovery and bottleneck identification.
6 Recommended 8 Optional
Activity Description
Approval Submitted
This event marks the point where the Vendor Bill is formally entered into an approval workflow. It is captured when the bill's 'Approval Status' changes from a draft state to 'Pending Approval'.
Why it matters

This activity is the starting point for measuring the approval cycle time, which is essential for identifying bottlenecks with specific approvers or departments.

Where to get

Inferred from the timestamp when the 'Approval Status' on the Vendor Bill record changes to 'Pending Approval', as tracked in the System Notes.

Capture

Timestamp of 'Approval Status' field changing to 'Pending Approval'.

Event type inferred
Invoice Approved
Signifies that the Vendor Bill has been authorized for payment by the designated approver(s). This is captured when the bill's 'Approval Status' is set to 'Approved'.
Why it matters

This is a critical milestone that concludes the approval phase and allows the invoice to be posted and scheduled for payment. It is a key data point for measuring approval efficiency.

Where to get

Timestamp of the 'Approval Status' field on the Vendor Bill record changing to 'Approved', as recorded in System Notes or a workflow log.

Capture

Workflow log or System Notes timestamp for 'Approval Status' = 'Approved'.

Event type explicit
Invoice Closed
Marks the final closure of the Vendor Bill record, typically after it has been fully paid. This is inferred when the Vendor Bill's status changes to 'Paid in Full'.
Why it matters

Provides a definitive end event for the process lifecycle, confirming that no further action is required for that specific invoice.

Where to get

Inferred from the timestamp when the 'Status' field on the Vendor Bill record changes to 'Paid in Full', as tracked in System Notes.

Capture

Timestamp of 'Status' field changing to 'Paid in Full'.

Event type inferred
Invoice Posted To GL
Marks the moment the financial impact of the Vendor Bill is officially recorded in the General Ledger. This is captured by the transaction date when the bill is approved and the 'Posting' flag is set.
Why it matters

This is a key financial control point, confirming the liability has been formally recognized by the company. Delays in posting can affect financial reporting accuracy.

Where to get

The posting date associated with the GL transaction created from the Vendor Bill. The 'Posting' field on the bill will be checked.

Capture

Transaction date of the GL posting associated with the Vendor Bill.

Event type explicit
Payment Executed
Represents the final execution of payment for the invoice. This event is captured from the transaction date of the Vendor Payment record applied to the Vendor Bill.
Why it matters

This is the primary end-point for the AP process and is essential for calculating end-to-end cycle time, payment term adherence, and Days Payable Outstanding (DPO).

Where to get

The 'Date' field from the Vendor Payment transaction record linked to the Vendor Bill.

Capture

Transaction date of the Vendor Payment record applied to the bill.

Event type explicit
Vendor Bill Created
Marks the entry of a new supplier invoice into NetSuite. This is captured from the creation date of the Vendor Bill transaction record, representing the official start of the AP process.
Why it matters

Establishes the starting point for all invoice processing cycle time calculations, which is critical for measuring overall process efficiency and tracking invoice aging.

Where to get

The 'Date Created' field from the Vendor Bill transaction record.

Capture

Transaction creation event for Vendor Bill.

Event type explicit
Credit Memo Applied
Occurs when a Vendor Credit is applied to a Vendor Bill, reducing the amount owed. This is captured from the application event linking the two transactions.
Why it matters

Applying credit memos is an important alternate path to closing an invoice, and tracking it helps to understand how write-offs and returns affect the overall AP process.

Where to get

The application date recorded when a Vendor Credit transaction is applied to the Vendor Bill. This is visible in the bill's related records.

Capture

Timestamp of the application of a Vendor Credit to a Vendor Bill.

Event type explicit
Discrepancy Identified
This activity occurs when a mismatch is found between the invoice, purchase order, or item receipt, preventing further processing. It is often inferred by a user setting a specific 'Approval Status' like 'On Hold' or 'Pending Clarification'.
Why it matters

Highlighting this activity helps pinpoint sources of friction and rework in the validation process, which are major causes of payment delays.

Where to get

Inferred from a change in the Vendor Bill's 'Approval Status' field to a non-standard pending state (e.g., 'On Hold'). May require custom status configuration.

Capture

Track changes to 'Approval Status' field indicating a hold or query.

Event type inferred
Early Payment Captured
A calculated event that occurs if the payment for an invoice is executed before the early payment discount date. This is derived by comparing the payment date to the discount terms on the Vendor Bill.
Why it matters

Directly measures the success of the AP team in capturing discounts, which has a direct impact on the company's profitability and cash management strategy.

Where to get

This is a calculated event. It requires comparing the 'Date' from the Vendor Payment transaction against the discount date derived from the 'Terms' field on the Vendor Bill.

Capture

Compare Vendor Payment 'Date' with discount date derived from Vendor Bill 'Terms'.

Event type calculated
Invoice Re-Routed For Approval
Occurs when an invoice is sent back to an earlier stage or a different approver due to a change or rejection. This is inferred when the 'Approval Status' changes from 'Pending Approval' back to another state and then to 'Pending Approval' again.
Why it matters

Identifying re-routing events is key to understanding rework loops within the approval process, which significantly extend cycle times.

Where to get

Inferred from System Notes by detecting sequences where 'Approval Status' changes multiple times to 'Pending Approval' for the same bill.

Capture

Analyze sequences of 'Approval Status' changes in System Notes.

Event type inferred
Invoice Rejected
Represents the formal rejection of a Vendor Bill during the approval process, requiring correction and resubmission. This event is captured when the 'Approval Status' is updated to 'Rejected'.
Why it matters

Tracking rejections is crucial for rework analysis, helping to identify common reasons for failure (e.g., incorrect coding, policy violations) and improve first-pass approval rates.

Where to get

Timestamp of the 'Approval Status' field on the Vendor Bill record changing to 'Rejected', as recorded in System Notes.

Capture

Workflow log or System Notes timestamp for 'Approval Status' = 'Rejected'.

Event type explicit
Late Payment Identified
A calculated event triggered when an invoice is paid after its due date. This is determined by comparing the payment execution date with the due date specified on the Vendor Bill.
Why it matters

This activity is critical for monitoring payment compliance and managing supplier relationships. A high frequency of late payments can damage vendor trust.

Where to get

Calculated by comparing the 'Date' from the Vendor Payment transaction to the 'Due Date' field on the Vendor Bill record. If Payment Date > Due Date, this event occurs.

Capture

Compare Vendor Payment 'Date' with Vendor Bill 'Due Date'.

Event type calculated
Payment Scheduled
This activity indicates that a Vendor Bill has been selected for payment and included in a payment batch. It is captured when a Vendor Payment transaction is created with a future payment date.
Why it matters

This event provides visibility into the payment pipeline, helping with cash flow forecasting and managing payment timing to capture early payment discounts.

Where to get

Creation date of the Vendor Payment transaction record that is applied to the Vendor Bill.

Capture

Creation timestamp of the associated Vendor Payment transaction record.

Event type explicit
PO Matching Attempted
Represents the action of associating a Vendor Bill with a corresponding Purchase Order for validation. This is inferred when a PO is first linked on the Vendor Bill record's 'Items' or 'Expenses' sublist before approval.
Why it matters

Tracking this step helps analyze the efficiency of the matching process and identify delays before invoices are even submitted for approval.

Where to get

Inferred from the System Notes log showing the initial population of the 'Created From' field or line-item level PO references on the Vendor Bill.

Capture

Detect population of PO reference field in System Notes.

Event type inferred
Recommended Optional

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