How Concur Invoice Works?

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Simplify AP Processing with Concur Invoice

Concur Invoice replaces fragmented, paper-heavy invoice processing with a connected workflow from capture to payment. By combining AI-powered data extraction, purchase-order matching, dynamic approvals, mobile access, payments, and financial-system integration, it helps finance teams process invoices more efficiently while improving control and visibility.

How Concur Invoice Works?

If you're looking for a way to simplify invoice-based spending, accelerate accounts payable processing, and gain visibility and control into how employees are spending money, look no further than SAP Concur. Concur Invoice automates accounts payable from invoice capture through approval and payment. It centralises invoices, uses AI-powered optical character recognition to extract data, supports purchase-order matching and configurable approvals, connects payment and accounting systems, and provides real-time visibility into supplier spending.

How does Concur Invoice work from capture to payment?

1. Capture invoices from multiple channels

Suppliers can submit invoices by email, fax, hard copy, or electronic methods. The invoices are captured and centralised so accounts-payable teams do not need to manage disconnected inboxes, files, or paper records.

2. Extract and validate invoice data

AI-powered OCR extracts details such as supplier name, invoice number, date, shipping, tax, amounts, purchase-order numbers, and general-ledger codes. At line-item level, it can capture descriptions, quantities, unit prices, and expense categories. An auditor or invoice verifier can validate and correct the extracted information before assigning the invoice to an owner.

3. Allocate complex invoice costs

For invoices requiring extensive allocations, users can import distributions from Excel, edit the distribution, or save frequently used allocations as personal favourites. This reduces repetitive coding while preserving control over where costs are assigned.

4. Match invoices with purchase orders and receipts

Concur Invoice can populate purchase-order data from purchasing or ERP systems, or work with the SAP Concur Purchase Request module. It automatically matches invoices to purchase orders and goods receipts, then flags exceptions for faster investigation.

5. Route invoices through dynamic approvals

Configurable workflows route invoices to the appropriate reviewers based on company rules. Approvers can review the invoice image, summary, and line items, then approve, reject, or comment without relying on physical paperwork.

6. Execute payments and synchronise financial data

Once approved, invoices can move through secure payment workflows. Invoice data synchronises with ERP and accounting systems to improve reporting, cash-flow visibility, and the completeness of the audit trail.

How does the SAP Concur mobile app support invoice approvals?

• Approve invoices, purchase orders, and expenses from a mobile device.
• View an invoice summary, image, and line-item details.
• Approve or reject an invoice with one action.
• Add comments for other reviewers or accounts-payable staff.

How do connected tools strengthen invoice management?

Concur Invoice can operate as part of a broader spend-management environment. Purchase Request helps control intended spend before an order is placed; three-way matching compares invoices, purchase orders, and receipts; payment-provider connections support supplier payments; and ERP integration keeps accounting records aligned.

What are the main benefits of Concur Invoice?

• Lower processing effort: Automated capture and routing reduce handling and data entry.
• Faster approvals: Dynamic workflows send invoices to the right reviewers.
• Improved accuracy: OCR, validation, and matching reduce errors and duplicate work.
• Stronger compliance: Rules, exceptions, and audit trails support consistent controls.
• Greater spend visibility: Centralised data shows planned, committed, and completed supplier spending.
• Better supplier relationships: More efficient processing can support accurate, timely payments.
• Scalable operations: Higher invoice volumes can be managed without proportional administrative growth.

Quick reference: Concur Invoice workflow and business benefits

How should organisations implement Concur Invoice?

1. Map current invoice channels, approval delays, exceptions, and payment workflows.
2. Define invoice fields, policies, roles, and approval rules.
3. Connect purchasing, ERP, accounting, payment, and employee data sources.
4. Configure purchase-order matching, exceptions, allocations, and mobile approvals.
5. Train accounts-payable users, invoice owners, and approvers.
6. Track processing time, exception rates, payment timing, and supplier spending after go-live.

FAQs

1) What invoice formats can Concur Invoice capture?

Invoices can be submitted through email, fax, hard copy, or electronic channels and then centralised for processing.

2) What data does Concur Invoice extract?

It can extract supplier, invoice, date, shipping, tax, amount, purchase-order, general-ledger, description, quantity, unit-price, and expense-category information.

3) How does Concur Invoice support purchase-order matching?

It can import purchase-order data, compare invoices with purchase orders and goods receipts, and flag discrepancies for resolution.

4) Can invoices be approved on a mobile device?

Yes. Approvers can view invoice details, approve or reject invoices and purchase orders, and add comments through the SAP Concur mobile app.

5) How does Concur Invoice improve spend visibility?

It centralises invoice information and connects it with travel, expense, purchasing, payment, and accounting data, giving finance teams a clearer view of supplier spending and cash requirements.