For many organizations, invoice approvals are a routine part of accounts payable operations. Yet, behind the scenes, this process is often burdened with hidden delays. Manual routing, unclear accountability, and inconsistent validation rules are common barriers that slow approvals and increase frustration for accounts payable (AP) teams. These issues not only create inefficiencies but also impact vendor relationships and cash flow.
Delays in invoice approvals result in vendors waiting for payments, procurement teams struggling with planning, and finance losing visibility into expenses. This friction disrupts the source to pay cycle, adding unnecessary cost and complexity. The need for accuracy and compliance further complicates matters, as manual steps often increase the chance of error. Let us explore how Cherrywork offers a way forward.
The invoice approval cycle often slows down due to fragmented processes. Manual routing is one of the most common issues. Invoices frequently pass through several departments, and each stage adds waiting time. Without automated routing rules, invoices can sit idle in email inboxes or on desks, causing avoidable delays.
Another major barrier is the lack of standardized validation rules. Different teams often apply their own checks, which can lead to discrepancies in invoice handling. This inconsistency increases the risk of duplicate payments, incorrect postings, or repeated follow-ups with suppliers.
Poor visibility into invoice status also creates friction. When AP teams cannot see where an invoice is stuck, procurement and vendors are left with little information. This reduces trust and leads to unnecessary queries that consume time.
Exception handling is another slow point. When an invoice does not match a purchase order or contains incomplete data, approvals are delayed until someone manually resolves the issue. With increasing invoice volumes, these exceptions add up to a major bottleneck. Non-PO invoices also cause delays. When there is maverick spending and no purchase order reference, AP teams struggle to identify the correct GL code for posting. This ambiguity leads to repeated back-and-forth with stakeholders, extending approval cycles, and slowing down payments.
These challenges ripple across the source to pay cycle. Procurement teams cannot plan effectively, finance struggles with forecasting, and suppliers grow impatient waiting for clarity on when they will be paid. Without integration and automation, organizations remain caught in a cycle of inefficiency.
Many organizations turn to automation to reduce invoice approval delays. However, traditional tools often fall short. While they can digitize documents and support basic routing, they lack the intelligence needed to resolve ownership gaps or compliance requirements.
Most legacy systems cannot handle the complexity of global operations. They may capture invoices but fail to support region-specific compliance rules or provide meaningful transparency across multiple entities. For businesses requiring procurement automation, this limitation becomes a major obstacle.
Non-PO invoices present another challenge. Traditional systems still rely heavily on manual intervention when there is no purchase order to match against, which means finance teams remain burdened by coding and approvals.
This gap shows why companies need more than standard AP automation solutions. They require technology that can dynamically adjust to business rules, handle exceptions efficiently, and bring visibility across the entire approval process. That is where intelligent workflows become a differentiator.
Intelligent frameworks take automation beyond simple digitization. In the context of accounts payable, they enable organizations to adapt approvals based on rules, context, and data insights.
One of the key advantages is the use of AI and machine learning for invoice intake. Cherrywork’s invoice automation solution supports multiple intake channels, from scanned documents and email attachments to e-invoicing portals. Its AI engine, trained on millions of invoices, delivers data extraction accuracy across 200+ languages and formats.
Approval routing becomes smarter with Cherrywork’s invoice automation solution’s rule-based triggers, eliminating manual routing and ensuring approvals move forward without interruption.
Real-time dashboards provide transparency into cycle times, pending approvals, and compliance metrics. AP managers no longer need to chase down the status of invoices; they can see where bottlenecks exist and resolve them quickly.
Exception handling is also automated. When mismatches occur, the system reroutes the invoice for review or applies AI-based recommendations to resolve issues. This prevents invoices from being stuck in limbo.
For non-PO invoices, Cherrywork uses historical data patterns to suggest cost allocations, which reduces manual effort and improves accuracy. This AI-driven coding significantly lowers errors and speeds approvals.
Check out how Cherrywork Accounts Payable Automation leverages intelligent frameworks to transform invoice approvals from a slow, manual burden into a streamlined and controlled process.
Cherrywork’s invoice automation solution delivers measurable improvements for enterprises facing invoice approval challenges. Organizations have reported up to an 85% reduction in processing costs and more than 80% straight-through processing rates. In practical terms, invoices that once took weeks to process are now completed in days.
The solution drives a 62% increase in on-time vendor payment, which strengthens supplier relationships and improves cash flow predictability. Organizations experience a fourfold increase in the number of invoices processed, with significant reductions in full-time equivalent (FTE) requirements.
Integration with ERP systems is a cornerstone of Cherrywork AP automation’s value. With certifications for SAP ECC, SAP S/4 HANA, and Ariba, as well as connectors for other enterprise systems, Cherrywork’s invoice automation solution ensures invoices flow smoothly into existing processes. This eliminates duplication of effort and ensures that approvals are connected directly to financial systems.
Suppliers benefit from a collaboration portal that provides self-service access to invoice and payment status. Instead of calling or emailing AP teams, vendors can log in and see real-time updates, reducing administrative workload for both sides.
Compliance management is built in, with geo-specific tax handling, audit logs, and configurable approval workflows. This ensures organizations meet financial regulations without slowing down approvals.
Task orchestration adds another layer of efficiency. Cherrywork AP automation solution automatically allocates approvals based on priority, applies rules for auto-rejection or posting, and escalates tasks when needed. These features ensure that invoices keep moving without unnecessary delays. Request a demo now!
Cherrywork AP Automation solution empowers enterprises to move beyond fixing delays and reimagine Accounts Payable as a value-generating function. By minimizing manual intervention and increasing accuracy, Finance and Procurement teams gain the freedom to focus on cash flow optimization, supplier strategy, and other initiatives that directly support business growth.
Instead of being seen as a cost center, AP becomes a driver of agility, trust, and stronger vendor relationships. This shift improves day-to-day operations and contributes to long-term financial resilience.
For enterprises ready to enhance AP performance, Cherrywork AP automation solutions provide a clear path forward. With Cherrywork Accounts Payable automation, organizations can turn accounts payable into a driver of efficiency, accuracy, and stronger supplier relationships. Ready to transform invoice approvals? Request a call with our team today!
Would you like to do the same for your organization? If yes, then reach out to us at talk2us@cherrywork.com
