Finance ops · Workflow pattern
How companies automate invoice processing
Based on verified production workflows. The common structure, tools used at each step, what fails first, and when the approach fits your context.
Common implementation pattern
- Email or portal receives invoice (PDF, image, or EDI)
- AI extraction pulls vendor, amount, line items, and PO reference
- Validation matches against open POs or approved vendor list
- Straight-through posting to ERP when confidence is above threshold
- Exception queue for unmatched, low-confidence, or over-limit items
Researched workflow structure
Reconstructed from public sources and documented patterns — not a guarantee any one team runs it exactly this way.
1
Email / portal
Trigger
Invoice arrives as PDF, image, or EDI
→
2
AI extraction
AI extraction
Vendor, amount, line items, PO reference
→
3
PO validation
Validation
Match against open POs and vendor list
→
4
ERP post
Action
Straight-through posting above threshold
→
5
Exception queue
Human review
Unmatched or low-confidence items