Data Template: Accounts Payable Invoice Processing

Sage Intacct
Data Template: Accounts Payable Invoice Processing

Your Accounts Payable Invoice Processing Data Template

This template provides a clear framework for collecting the necessary data to analyze your Accounts Payable Invoice Processing. It outlines the essential attributes and activities you'll need to extract from your systems. Use this guide to streamline your data preparation and kickstart your process mining journey efficiently.
  • Recommended attributes to collect
  • Key activities to track
  • Extraction guidance
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 a comprehensive analysis of your accounts payable invoice processing.
5 Required 9 Recommended 11 Optional
Name Description
Invoice
InvoiceNumber
The unique identifier for each supplier invoice, serving as the primary case ID for tracking its journey from receipt to payment.
Description

The Invoice Number is the cornerstone of Accounts Payable analysis, uniquely identifying each invoice processed. It links all related activities, such as validation, approval, and payment, into a single, cohesive process instance.

In process mining, this attribute allows for the end-to-end reconstruction of each invoice's lifecycle. It is used to analyze process flows, identify bottlenecks on specific invoices, and calculate case-level metrics like total cycle time. All other attributes provide context to the journey of this specific invoice number.

Why it matters

This is the essential Case ID that connects all process steps for a single invoice, making it possible to analyze the end-to-end processing time and path.

Where to get

This is typically the 'Bill No.' or 'Invoice #' field within the AP Bill or Vendor Invoice object in Sage Intacct.

Examples
INV-2023-001237854-AXBSI-990432
Activity
ActivityName
The name of the specific process step or event that occurred, such as 'Invoice Approved' or 'Payment Executed'.
Description

The Activity Name describes a single step within the Accounts Payable process. These activities form the sequence of events that constitute the process flow for each invoice.

Analyzing the sequence of these activities is the core of process mining. It allows for the discovery of the actual process map, identification of deviations from the standard procedure, and analysis of rework loops (e.g., 'Discrepancy Found' followed by 'Discrepancy Resolved'). The frequency and order of activities are fundamental to understanding process efficiency.

Why it matters

This attribute defines the steps in the process map, which is essential for visualizing the process flow, identifying bottlenecks, and analyzing deviations.

Where to get

This attribute is derived from system events, status changes, or audit trail entries in Sage Intacct related to AP Bills and Payments.

Examples
Invoice ReceivedInvoice ApprovedPayment ScheduledPayment Executed
Last Data Update
LastDataUpdate
The timestamp indicating the last time the data for this record was refreshed or extracted from the source system.
Description

This attribute provides a timestamp for the most recent data extraction. It is crucial for understanding the freshness of the data being analyzed and for managing data refresh schedules.

In dashboards and reports, this information informs users about the timeliness of the insights. For instance, if the last update was a week ago, any conclusions drawn must consider that recent process activities are not yet included. It is a key field for data governance and maintaining trust in the analysis.

Why it matters

Indicates the freshness of the data, allowing users to understand how current the process analysis is and when the next data refresh is needed.

Where to get

This timestamp is generated and added to each row during the data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) process.

Examples
2023-11-20T04:00:00Z2023-11-21T04:00:00Z
Source System
SourceSystem
The system from which the data was extracted, typically a static value identifying the ERP or accounting software.
Description

This attribute identifies the origin of the process data. In a multi-system environment, it helps differentiate data sources and ensures data lineage is clear. For this view, the value will consistently be 'Sage Intacct'.

While often a static value in a single-system analysis, it is crucial for data governance and for potential future projects that might blend data from multiple systems. It confirms that the analysis is based on data from the intended source.

Why it matters

Ensures data provenance by clearly identifying the origin of the data, which is crucial for data governance and in multi-system environments.

Where to get

This is typically a static value added during the data extraction and transformation process.

Examples
Sage Intacct
Start Time
EventTime
The precise date and time when a specific activity or process step occurred.
Description

Event Time, or the timestamp, records the exact moment an activity happened. This chronological data is essential for ordering events correctly and for calculating the duration between different steps in the process.

In process mining analysis, timestamps are used to build the process map in chronological order, calculate cycle times between activities, and analyze process performance over time. It enables the identification of when delays occur (e.g., during weekends or after business hours) and is the basis for all time-based KPIs.

Why it matters

This timestamp is critical for ordering events chronologically and calculating all duration-based metrics, such as cycle time and waiting time.

Where to get

Derived from various date fields on Sage Intacct objects, such as 'Creation Date' on AP Bills, 'Approval Date', or 'Payment Date' on AP Payments.

Examples
2023-10-26T10:00:00Z2023-10-27T14:35:10Z2023-11-05T09:15:00Z
Cost Center
CostCenter
The specific department or business unit to which the invoice expense is allocated.
Description

The Cost Center is an organizational dimension that indicates which part of the business is responsible for the expense on the invoice. It is used for budgeting, cost allocation, and financial reporting.

In process mining, this attribute is vital for the 'Cost Center Processing Inconsistencies' dashboard. It allows for comparing key metrics like cycle time and rework rates across different cost centers. Identifying high-performing cost centers can reveal best practices that can be shared, while underperforming ones may require targeted process improvements or training. This is the primary attribute for the 'Cost Center Cycle Time Variance' KPI.

Why it matters

Enables performance comparison across different business units, highlighting inconsistencies and opportunities for process standardization.

Where to get

This is a standard dimension available on AP Bill line items in Sage Intacct, often labeled 'Department' or a custom dimension for Cost Center.

Examples
Sales - USMarketingIT InfrastructureResearch & Development
Due Date
DueDate
The date by which the invoice payment is due, according to the payment terms.
Description

The Due Date is the contractually agreed-upon date for settling an invoice. This date is determined by the invoice date and the payment terms negotiated with the vendor (e.g., Net 30).

This attribute is essential for monitoring on-time payment performance and for financial planning. It is used in the 'Payment Compliance & Policy Adherence' dashboard to flag late payments. It is also critical for calculating the 'Early Payment Discount Capture Rate' KPI, as it serves as the baseline against which early payments are measured.

Why it matters

This date is critical for analyzing on-time payment rates, managing cash flow, and identifying opportunities for capturing early payment discounts.

Where to get

This is the 'Due Date' field on the AP Bill object in Sage Intacct. It can be manually entered or automatically calculated based on payment terms.

Examples
2023-11-152023-12-302024-01-10
Invoice Amount
InvoiceAmount
The total monetary value of the invoice.
Description

The Invoice Amount represents the total financial value of the invoice submitted by the vendor. This is a critical attribute for financial analysis and for understanding how the value of an invoice impacts its processing path.

In analysis, it is used to segment invoices into value bands (e.g., low, medium, high value) to see if higher-value invoices follow different approval paths or take longer to process. It is also a key component of the 'Payment Policy Conformance Rate' KPI, as approval limits are often based on this amount. It helps prioritize process improvement efforts on high-value transactions.

Why it matters

Allows for value-based analysis, such as identifying if high-value invoices follow different paths or take longer, and is key for checking approval limit compliance.

Where to get

This is the 'Amount' or 'Transaction Amount' field on the AP Bill object in Sage Intacct.

Examples
150.755000.0025000.50
Invoice Status
InvoiceStatus
The current processing state of the invoice within the AP workflow.
Description

The Invoice Status indicates the current position of an invoice in its lifecycle, such as 'Draft', 'Submitted for Approval', 'Approved', or 'Paid'. This provides a snapshot of the invoice's progress.

This attribute is crucial for the 'Invoice Throughput & Volume Trends' dashboard, which shows the distribution of invoices across different statuses at any point in time. It helps operations managers monitor workloads, identify bottlenecks where invoices are accumulating, and forecast completion times. Tracking status changes over time is a common way to generate the activity log for process mining.

Why it matters

Provides a snapshot of an invoice's current state, which is vital for monitoring workloads and identifying stages where invoices get stuck.

Where to get

This is typically a 'State' or 'Status' field on the AP Bill object in Sage Intacct.

Examples
DraftSubmittedApprovedPaid
Payment Status
PaymentStatus
The current status of the payment transaction associated with the invoice.
Description

The Payment Status describes the state of the payment itself, distinct from the invoice status. Possible values include 'Scheduled', 'In Progress', 'Paid', 'Cleared', or 'Failed'.

This attribute is the focus of the 'Payment Status & Error Monitoring' dashboard. It allows the finance team to track the success of payment runs, quickly identify and resolve failed payments, and monitor for potential duplicate payments. Understanding the time spent in each payment status helps to refine the payment execution process and improve cash flow predictability.

Why it matters

Tracks the success and state of the final payment step, helping to quickly identify and resolve payment errors or delays.

Where to get

This information is found on the AP Payment or Bill Payment object in Sage Intacct.

Examples
ScheduledSent to BankClearedVoided
Posting Date
PostingDate
The date the invoice transaction is posted to the General Ledger (GL).
Description

The Posting Date is the date on which the financial transaction associated with the invoice is officially recorded in the company's books (the General Ledger). This date is crucial for accounting and financial reporting, as it determines the fiscal period in which the expense is recognized.

In process analysis, the time lag between receiving an invoice and its posting date can reveal inefficiencies in the validation and approval stages. It is a key milestone for the 'Invoice Posted To GL' activity and is often used to measure the 'book-to-pay' portion of the cycle time. Analyzing posting dates helps ensure timely financial closing and accurate reporting.

Why it matters

Indicates when an invoice is officially recorded in the financial system, which is crucial for measuring accounting cycle times and ensuring timely financial reporting.

Where to get

This is the 'Posting Date' field on the AP Bill object in Sage Intacct.

Examples
2023-10-282023-11-022023-11-10
Purchase Order Number
PurchaseOrderNumber
The identifier for the Purchase Order (PO) associated with the invoice, if applicable.
Description

The Purchase Order Number links an invoice to a pre-approved procurement request. Invoices can be PO-backed or non-PO. The presence of a PO number typically enables a more automated matching process (two-way or three-way matching).

This attribute is fundamental for analyzing the 'Purchase Order Matched' activity and related discrepancies. It allows for segmenting the process into PO vs. non-PO invoices to compare their cycle times and automation rates. A high rate of discrepancies on PO-backed invoices might indicate issues with PO creation or receiving processes.

Why it matters

Distinguishes PO-backed invoices from non-PO invoices, which often follow different processing paths and have different automation potentials.

Where to get

This field is available on the AP Bill object in Sage Intacct, used to link the bill to an existing Purchase Order.

Examples
PO-004581PO-005123N/A
User Name
UserName
The name of the employee or user who performed a specific activity on the invoice.
Description

The User Name identifies the individual responsible for an event in the process, such as data entry, validation, or approval. It provides accountability and helps in analyzing the performance of individual resources or teams.

This attribute is essential for the 'Invoice Approval Cycle Time Analysis' dashboard, as it can be used to see if certain approvers are consistently slow. It can also identify top performers or users who may require additional training. Analyzing activities by user helps in resource management and understanding workload distribution.

Why it matters

Tracks which user performed an action, which is key for analyzing approver performance, workload distribution, and identifying training needs.

Where to get

This information is captured in the audit trail or history logs of AP Bill and AP Payment objects in Sage Intacct, associated with status changes or modifications.

Examples
Alice JohnsonBob Williamssystem.user
Vendor Name
VendorName
The legal name of the supplier or vendor who submitted the invoice.
Description

The Vendor Name identifies the supplier associated with an invoice. This attribute is crucial for analyzing vendor-specific behaviors and performance within the Accounts Payable process.

This dimension is used to filter the process map to see how invoices from specific vendors are handled. It is essential for the 'Vendor Performance & Processing Time' dashboard and the 'Vendor Cycle Time Variance' KPI, helping to identify which vendors' invoices are processed quickly and which ones consistently face delays or discrepancies, pointing to opportunities for vendor collaboration and process standardization.

Why it matters

Enables analysis of process variations and performance by supplier, helping to identify vendor-specific bottlenecks or invoice quality issues.

Where to get

This information is located in the 'Vendor' object in Sage Intacct, linked to the AP Bill.

Examples
Staples Inc.Office DepotGlobal Tech ServicesCreative Solutions LLC
Approval Cycle Time
ApprovalCycleTime
The time elapsed from when an invoice is sent for approval until it is finally approved.
Description

Approval Cycle Time measures the duration of the approval phase of the process specifically. It is calculated as the difference between the 'Invoice Approved' timestamp and the 'Routed For Approval' timestamp.

This metric is the focus of the 'Invoice Approval Cycle Time Analysis' dashboard. It helps pinpoint bottlenecks within the approval workflow, whether they are caused by specific approvers, departments, or invoice types. Reducing this cycle time is often a key objective, as it directly impacts the ability to capture early payment discounts and ensure on-time payments.

Why it matters

Measures the efficiency of the approval workflow, helping to identify slow approvers or bottlenecks that delay payments and risk missing discounts.

Where to get

This metric is calculated in the process mining tool by subtracting the timestamp of the 'Routed For Approval' activity from the 'Invoice Approved' activity.

Examples
2 days 3 hours7 days 1 hour10 hours 30 minutes
Currency
Currency
The currency in which the invoice amount is denominated.
Description

The Currency attribute specifies the unit of money for the invoice amount (e.g., USD, EUR, GBP). This is particularly important for multinational organizations that handle invoices in multiple currencies.

In analysis, it's essential for correct financial reporting and for converting amounts to a common currency for comparison. Filtering by currency can also reveal if invoices in certain currencies face longer processing times, perhaps due to different banking regulations or approval processes. It provides necessary context to all monetary values.

Why it matters

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

Where to get

This is the 'Currency' field on the AP Bill object, often inherited from the Vendor record in Sage Intacct if multi-currency is enabled.

Examples
USDEURGBP
Department
Department
The name of the internal department associated with the invoice, often used for approvals and cost allocation.
Description

The Department is an organizational attribute that assigns an invoice to a specific functional area within the company, such as 'Marketing' or 'Information Technology'. This is often used for routing approvals to the correct department head or manager.

Similar to Cost Center, this dimension allows for performance analysis across different parts of the business. It can be used to compare approval times or rework rates by department, highlighting where processes are running smoothly versus where they are not. This analysis supports efforts to standardize the AP process across the entire organization.

Why it matters

Allows for process performance comparison between different functional areas of the business, supporting standardization efforts.

Where to get

This is a standard dimension in Sage Intacct that can be assigned to transactions like AP Bills.

Examples
MarketingSalesITFinance
Discount Amount
EarlyPaymentDiscountAmount
The potential monetary discount available if the invoice is paid before the standard due date.
Description

This attribute represents the value of the early payment discount offered by the vendor, as defined by the payment terms (e.g., '2/10, Net 30' means a 2% discount if paid in 10 days).

This amount is crucial for the 'Early Payment Discount Capture Rate' KPI and dashboard. It quantifies the savings opportunity for each invoice, allowing the finance team to prioritize payments that offer the most significant discounts. Analyzing the total potential discount amount versus the amount actually captured highlights the financial impact of process inefficiencies.

Why it matters

Quantifies the potential savings from early payments, helping to prioritize invoices and measure the financial impact of AP process efficiency.

Where to get

This value is typically calculated based on the 'Payment Terms' and 'Invoice Amount' fields on the AP Bill in Sage Intacct.

Examples
10.0050.25250.00
Discount Date
EarlyPaymentDiscountDate
The deadline date for paying an invoice to be eligible for an early payment discount.
Description

This attribute is the cut-off date by which an invoice must be paid to qualify for the discount offered by the vendor. It is calculated based on the invoice date and the discount terms (e.g., 10 days after the invoice date for '2/10, Net 30' terms).

This date serves as a critical internal SLA for the AP process. The 'Early Payment Discount Capture Rate' dashboard uses this date to determine if a payment was made in time to receive the discount. Monitoring how close payments are made to this deadline can reveal bottlenecks in the approval and payment scheduling stages.

Why it matters

Acts as a critical deadline for the AP team; meeting it directly translates to cost savings for the company.

Where to get

This date is calculated from the 'Bill Date' and 'Payment Terms' on the AP Bill record in Sage Intacct.

Examples
2023-10-252023-11-102023-11-30
Discrepancy Reason
DiscrepancyReason
A code or text describing the reason for an invoice discrepancy, such as a price or quantity mismatch.
Description

The Discrepancy Reason provides context when an invoice fails validation or PO matching. It explains why the invoice was flagged for manual review, with common reasons including price differences, quantity mismatches, or missing information.

This attribute is central to the 'Discrepancy Resolution Time & Rework' dashboard. By analyzing the most frequent discrepancy reasons, a company can identify root causes—whether they are related to specific vendors, items, or internal data entry errors. This insight is invaluable for driving targeted process improvements, such as updating master data or improving communication with vendors.

Why it matters

Explains the root cause of rework and delays, allowing for targeted improvements to reduce exceptions and increase the straight-through processing rate.

Where to get

This information may be stored in a custom field, a notes field, or derived from specific exception statuses within Sage Intacct or an integrated OCR/capture solution.

Examples
Price MismatchQuantity MismatchInvalid PO NumberDuplicate Invoice
Invoice Cycle Time
InvoiceCycleTime
The total time elapsed from when an invoice is first received to when its payment is fully cleared.
Description

Invoice Cycle Time is a key performance indicator that measures the end-to-end duration of the Accounts Payable process for a single invoice. It is calculated as the difference between the 'Payment Cleared' timestamp and the 'Invoice Received' timestamp.

This metric provides a high-level view of overall process efficiency. A long average cycle time can indicate systemic bottlenecks, complex approval chains, or high rates of rework. Analyzing this attribute helps in setting performance benchmarks and measuring the impact of process improvement initiatives over time. It is the primary KPI for the 'Invoice End-to-End Process Flow' analysis.

Why it matters

This is a critical KPI for measuring overall process efficiency. Reducing it can improve vendor relationships and enable better cash flow management.

Where to get

This metric is calculated in the process mining tool by subtracting the start time of the first event from the start time of the last event for each case.

Examples
15 days 4 hours32 days 1 hour8 days 12 hours
Invoice Date
InvoiceDate
The date the invoice was issued by the vendor.
Description

The Invoice Date, also known as the Bill Date, is the date printed on the invoice by the supplier. It marks the official start of the payment term period (e.g., the start of a 'Net 30' countdown).

This attribute is used as a baseline for measuring the time it takes for an invoice to be entered into the system ('Invoice Received' activity), a metric known as 'invoice lag'. Reducing this lag is often a key goal for AP departments looking to improve their process visibility and cash flow forecasting. It is a fundamental date for many financial calculations.

Why it matters

Represents the starting point from the vendor's view and is used to calculate invoice receipt lag and determine the payment due date.

Where to get

This is the 'Bill Date' or 'Date' field on the AP Bill object in Sage Intacct.

Examples
2023-10-152023-10-202023-11-01
Is Rework
IsRework
A boolean flag that is true if the invoice went through a rework loop, such as discrepancy resolution.
Description

This calculated attribute flags invoices that have undergone one or more rework cycles. Rework occurs when a process step must be repeated due to an error or exception, such as a 'Discrepancy Found' event followed by a 'Discrepancy Resolved' event.

This flag is used to calculate the 'Invoice Rework Rate' KPI and to filter the process map to analyze rework paths specifically. Understanding which invoices require rework, and why, is crucial for identifying the root causes of process inefficiencies, such as poor data quality from vendors or incorrect master data.

Why it matters

Flags invoices that required extra, unplanned work, helping to quantify process inefficiency and identify the root causes of exceptions.

Where to get

This boolean flag is calculated in the process mining tool by checking for the occurrence of specific rework activities (e.g., 'Discrepancy Resolved') in the case's event sequence.

Examples
truefalse
Is Straight-Through
IsStraightThrough
A boolean flag that is true if the invoice was processed without any manual intervention or rework.
Description

This attribute identifies invoices that have been processed completely automatically, from receipt to payment scheduling, without any manual touches or exception handling. It is typically the inverse of the 'Is Rework' flag.

This flag is used to calculate the 'Invoice Straight-Through Process Rate' KPI, a key measure of automation and process efficiency. A high straight-through rate indicates a mature and well-controlled AP process. Analyzing the characteristics of invoices that are not processed straight-through helps identify the remaining barriers to full automation.

Why it matters

Identifies fully automated invoices, helping to measure the success of automation initiatives and pinpoint opportunities for further improvement.

Where to get

This flag is calculated in the process mining tool, typically as the inverse of the 'IsRework' flag or by defining a 'happy path' sequence of activities.

Examples
truefalse
Vendor ID
VendorId
The unique system identifier for the vendor or supplier.
Description

The Vendor ID is a unique, system-generated identifier for each vendor record. Unlike the Vendor Name, which can sometimes be inconsistent, the Vendor ID provides a stable key for linking data and performing analysis.

While Vendor Name is more user-friendly for dashboards, Vendor ID is technically more reliable for aggregations and filtering, especially in cases where vendor names might have slight variations (e.g., 'Staples Inc.' vs. 'Staples'). It ensures that all transactions for a specific vendor are correctly grouped together for accurate performance analysis.

Why it matters

Provides a stable and unique key for a vendor, ensuring accurate aggregation of data for vendor-related analysis, even if vendor names have variations.

Where to get

This is the 'Vendor ID' field on the Vendor object in Sage Intacct.

Examples
V1001V1002V2304
Required Recommended Optional

Accounts Payable Invoice Processing Activities

These are the key process steps and milestones to capture in your event log for accurate discovery and analysis of your invoice workflow.
7 Recommended 7 Optional
Activity Description
Invoice Approved
Signifies that the invoice has been approved by the designated authority and is ready for payment posting. This is an explicit event captured in the Sage Intacct approval history or audit trail.
Why it matters

A critical milestone that concludes the approval cycle. Delays before this step indicate approval bottlenecks, while a quick approval is key to capturing early payment discounts.

Where to get

Captured explicitly from the approval history logs associated with the 'AP Bill' object. The timestamp and approver user are typically recorded.

Capture

Use the timestamp of the final approval record in the invoice's approval history.

Event type explicit
Invoice Posted To GL
Marks the transaction where the approved invoice is formally posted to the General Ledger, creating a financial liability. This is an explicit, core accounting event in Sage Intacct.
Why it matters

This is a key financial milestone that makes the invoice an official liability of the company, readying it for payment and impacting financial statements.

Where to get

This is an explicit transaction. The posting date is stored directly on the 'AP Bill' object or in the associated 'GL Entry' records.

Capture

Use the 'Posting Date' from the AP Bill or the creation date of the related GL transaction.

Event type explicit
Invoice Received
Marks the start of the process when an invoice is entered into Sage Intacct, either manually or through an automated capture solution. This event is typically inferred from the creation timestamp of the AP Bill record.
Why it matters

This establishes the starting point for all cycle time calculations, which is essential for measuring overall process efficiency and invoice throughput.

Where to get

Inferred from the 'Created Date' timestamp on the 'AP Bill' (APBILL) object. This is the most reliable start event for the process.

Capture

Use the creation timestamp of the AP Bill record.

Event type inferred
Payment Cleared
The final step, confirming that the payment has cleared the bank and the transaction is reconciled. This is typically captured during the bank reconciliation process in Sage Intacct's Cash Management module.
Why it matters

This event marks the true end of the invoice lifecycle. The full end-to-end cycle time is measured up to this point, providing a complete picture of cash outflow.

Where to get

Inferred from the 'Clearing Date' or 'Reconciliation Date' associated with the 'AP Payment' transaction within the Cash Management module.

Capture

Use the clearing date from the bank reconciliation record linked to the payment transaction.

Event type inferred
Payment Executed
Marks the execution of the payment transaction, where funds are disbursed to the vendor. This is an explicit event with a specific transaction date.
Why it matters

A crucial milestone for measuring payment compliance and the Early Payment Discount Capture Rate. The time from approval to this event shows payment processing efficiency.

Where to get

Captured from the 'AP Payment' object associated with the 'AP Bill'. This object will have a 'Payment Date' or transaction execution timestamp.

Capture

Use the 'Payment Date' field from the associated AP Payment record.

Event type explicit
Purchase Order Matched
Confirms that the invoice details, such as quantities and prices, have been successfully matched against a corresponding Purchase Order. This is often captured explicitly when a user links a PO to an AP Bill.
Why it matters

A critical step for PO-backed invoices. Failures or long durations in matching indicate potential discrepancies and are a common source of bottlenecks.

Where to get

Captured through the transaction log or audit trail when a user performs the 'Match' action or links a 'Purchase Order' to the 'AP Bill' object.

Capture

Identify the event log entry for linking a Purchase Order to an AP Bill.

Event type explicit
Routed For Approval
Represents the submission of a validated and matched invoice into the approval workflow. Sage Intacct logs this action when an invoice is submitted for approval, triggering notifications.
Why it matters

This marks the beginning of the approval cycle. Tracking this event is essential for analyzing the Average Invoice Approval Time KPI and identifying delays.

Where to get

Captured from the audit trail or transaction logs when the 'AP Bill' state changes to 'Submitted for Approval'. This action is often an explicit event.

Capture

Use the timestamp from the audit log when the invoice is submitted to the approval engine.

Event type explicit
Discrepancy Found
Indicates that a mismatch was identified during validation or matching, such as a price or quantity difference. This event is typically inferred when an invoice is placed in a 'Hold' or 'Exception' status.
Why it matters

Pinpoints the start of rework loops. Analyzing the frequency and type of discrepancies is key to improving the Invoice Rework Rate KPI.

Where to get

Inferred from a status change on the 'AP Bill' object to a state like 'On Hold', 'Exception', or 'Discrepancy'. Audit trail may also show failed matching attempts.

Capture

Track timestamp of status change to an exception-related state on the AP Bill object.

Event type inferred
Discrepancy Resolved
Marks the resolution of a previously identified discrepancy, allowing the invoice to proceed with processing. This is inferred when an invoice's status changes from 'On Hold' back to a normal processing state.
Why it matters

Measuring the time from 'Discrepancy Found' to 'Discrepancy Resolved' is crucial for the Discrepancy Resolution Cycle Time KPI.

Where to get

Inferred from a status change on the 'AP Bill' object from an exception state (e.g., 'On Hold') to an active state (e.g., 'Submitted', 'Pending Approval').

Capture

Track timestamp of status change from an exception state back to a processing state.

Event type inferred
Early Payment Taken
A calculated event that occurs when a payment is executed within the vendor's early payment discount window. It is derived by comparing the payment execution date to the invoice and payment terms dates.
Why it matters

Directly supports the Early Payment Discount Capture Rate KPI by explicitly flagging successful discount captures. This helps in analyzing and maximizing cost savings.

Where to get

Calculated by comparing the 'Payment Date' from the 'AP Payment' object against the 'Invoice Date' and 'Payment Terms' fields on the 'AP Bill' object.

Capture

IF 'Payment Date' <= ('Invoice Date' + Discount Period from 'Payment Terms'), THEN event occurs.

Event type calculated
Invoice Cancelled
Represents the cancellation or voiding of an AP Bill, terminating the process prematurely. This is an explicit action logged in the system's audit trail, effectively removing the liability.
Why it matters

Identifies terminal exceptions in the process. A high cancellation rate may indicate problems with duplicate invoices or incorrect initial data entry.

Where to get

Captured explicitly when a user voids or cancels an 'AP Bill'. This action and its timestamp would be in the audit trail or reflected by a 'Void' or 'Cancelled' status.

Capture

Use the timestamp of the 'Void' transaction or status change to 'Cancelled' on the AP Bill object.

Event type explicit
Invoice Data Validated
Represents the successful validation of invoice data against business rules, such as correct vendor and required fields. This is often inferred when an AP Bill record is saved or submitted without triggering validation errors.
Why it matters

Tracks the initial data quality check. Delays here can indicate issues with data capture accuracy or vendor compliance, impacting straight-through processing rates.

Where to get

Inferred from the timestamp when the AP Bill record moves from a 'Draft' to a 'Submitted' state. Check the 'State' or 'Status' field on the 'AP Bill' object.

Capture

Track timestamp of status change from 'Draft' to 'Submitted' on the AP Bill object.

Event type inferred
Invoice Rejected
Indicates that an approver has rejected the invoice, typically requiring it to be corrected and resubmitted. This is an explicit event captured in the approval history logs.
Why it matters

Highlights rework loops within the approval process. A high rejection rate can signal issues with upstream data accuracy or policy non-conformance.

Where to get

Captured explicitly from the approval history logs associated with the 'AP Bill' object, which record 'Decline' or 'Reject' actions.

Capture

Use the timestamp of the 'Reject' or 'Decline' record in the invoice's approval history.

Event type explicit
Payment Scheduled
Represents the step where an approved and posted invoice is selected and included in a payment batch or run. This can be inferred when the invoice is added to an 'AP Payment Request' or similar batch object.
Why it matters

Bridges the gap between approval and actual payment execution. Analyzing time spent here helps understand cash flow management and payment scheduling efficiency.

Where to get

Inferred from the creation date of the 'AP Payment' object that includes the 'AP Bill'. The status of the bill might also change to 'Scheduled for Payment'.

Capture

Use the timestamp when the AP Bill is linked to a scheduled (but not yet executed) payment batch.

Event type inferred
Recommended Optional

Extraction Guides

How to get your data from Sage Intacct