Catch mismatched bills before approval happens

From spotting hidden errors to tightening procurement controls, Bill-to-PO matching in ApprovalMax for NetSuite gives finance and procurement teams one screen to compare bills and POs, reduce fraud risk, and keep audit trails clear.

By Dee Johns

4 min read •

31 July, 2025

Approving bills without checking the original PO? That’s asking for trouble. Maybe the supplier added an item. Maybe the price changed. Maybe the PO never existed in the first place. According to APQC benchmarking, many organisations experience error rates of 2% to 5% in first-pass disbursements, meaning mismatches, duplicates or deviations slip through before review.

That’s why Bill-to-PO matching in ApprovalMax for NetSuite lets your team match what’s being billed with what was actually ordered, right in the approval flow.

It’s a small check with a big impact.

Catch mismatches early – before it’s too late

In fast-moving businesses, small errors add up fast. Without a matching step, it’s easy for a bill to get approved that doesn’t quite line up with what was originally agreed.

With Bill-to-PO matching enabled, approvers can now compare the bill and its linked PO during approval. They’ll see quantities, amounts, and line items side by side – giving them confidence that what’s being paid for is actually what was ordered.

How it works in ApprovalMax

The process is simple. When a bill is submitted, you can select the matching PO from a list pulled directly from NetSuite. Once linked, that PO appears in the approval request – so approvers can review both documents in one place before clicking approve.

There’s no back and forth between systems. No digging through emails. And no second guessing.

Why it matters

This isn’t about adding friction – it’s about improving trust, accuracy, and accountability. Bill-to-PO matching helps reduce errors, protect against fraud, and ensure teams stick to proper procurement processes.

It’s especially useful for finance and procurement teams that need to prove internal controls or prepare for audits. Everything’s tracked. Everything’s visible. And it all syncs back to NetSuite.

Built for NetSuite teams who want better control

Match bills to approved purchase orders

Check every bill against its original PO, so you know exactly what was ordered and agreed before approving payment.

Review both documents in one approval screen

Approvers see bills and linked POs side by side in ApprovalMax – no switching systems, no digging through emails.

Improve data accuracy and reduce overpayments

Spot mismatches early and stop incorrect or inflated bills from slipping through, keeping spend under control.

Keep your GL clean and audit-ready

Every approval is logged and linked, giving finance teams the audit trail they need for compliance and reporting.

Start matching with confidence

If you’re using ApprovalMax with NetSuite, Bill-to-PO matching is ready to go. Just turn it on and let the system do the heavy lifting.

Finance and procurement teams often face bills slipping through without proper checks, limited visibility across approvals, and the challenge of keeping clear audit records. That’s where ApprovalMax comes in. From bill approvals and audit-preparation trails to purchase order workflows, our NetSuite integration helps you stay in control, with approvals that are accurate, visible, and easy to manage.

Need help getting started? Check out our setup guide or speak with your account manager today.

Dee Johns believes the most powerful words are 'Let me tell you a story.' Her passion for storytelling helps her create meaningful, customer-focused experiences while removing friction, so customers never feel the complexities of the org chart.

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Strengthen your financial controls

Set up a system of checks and balances for your financial operations.