The global fintech market, including finance automation software, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.8% from 2024 to 2032 and is expected to reach a value of around $917.17 billion by 2032. With the exponential growth of the automation-as-a-service industry, choosing the best software among the diversity of existing products can become overwhelming.
In this guide, we will introduce you to the top 7 invoice processing automation software available in 2024. We’ll explore their key features, benefits, and potential drawbacks, helping you choose the perfect solution for your invoice management needs.
Here’s our list of the best invoice automation software solutions:
What is Invoice Automation Software?
Invoice processing software is a digital tool designed to automate and manage the invoice processing workflow, from receipt to payment, by reading, analyzing, and capturing invoice data. The software operates through several steps that automate tasks associated with invoice processing:
- Invoice capture: The invoice scanning software captures purchase invoices received in various formats (e.g., paper, email, PDF) and converts them into digital data.
- Data extraction and validation: The software extracts data from the digital invoices, such as dates, amounts, and vendor details, and verifies this information against existing records like purchase orders and delivery receipts to ensure accuracy.
- Approval workflow: The software automatically routes the invoices to the appropriate personnel for approval based on predefined criteria.
- Payment processing: Once approved, the software schedules payments for the purchase invoices.
- Record keeping and reporting: The system updates financial records with invoice details and payment statuses.
Top 7 Invoice Processing Automation Software in 2024
Using invoice automation solution is among the best practices for accounts payable. However navigating the options for the best software for your business can be a bit overwhelming. With this in mind, we have carefully selected and evaluated the best 7 invoice processing software available to you in 2024:
Klippa SpendControl
Klippa SpendControl is an all-in-one digital pre-accounting software that combines invoice processing, expense management, and corporate credit card modules.
Our software utilizes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to ensure accurate data capture and enable invoice scanning, approval, archiving, and booking directly to your financial administration.
Pros
- Manage your vendor invoices, employee expenses, and corporate credit cards in one platform
- Submit, process, and approve invoices via web or mobile app
- Achieve 99% invoice data extraction accuracy with Klippa’s OCR
- Regain control over your accounts payable with intuitive dashboards
- Customize your approval management with multi-level authorization flows
- Never fail to comply with tax and data privacy regulations with our ISO27001-certified and GDPR-compliant solution
- Rely on automatic multi-currency support for international payments
- Prevent invoice fraud with built-in duplicate and fraud detection
- Integrate SpendControl with your accounting and ERP software, like Quickbooks, NetSuite, or SAP
Cons
- No integration options for travel or inventory systems
- Currently no 3-way matching (coming soon)
Starting price: From $5 per user/month.
Ideal business type and size: Klippa SpendControl is best suited for SMEs to mid-market companies looking for a single solution to manage all business expenses.
Tipalti
Tipalti is an accounting software designed to streamline the entire payment process, making it easier for finance departments to manage global payables operations.
Pros
- Proprietary OCR for automated data extraction
- Supplier and invoice management modules
- Multi-entity management capability
- Multi-currency and international tax compliance
- Scheduling of invoice batches for payment
Cons
- Limited advanced customization options for financial reporting
- Based on customer reviews, the implementation process can be cumbersome, with delays in getting support responses and resolving issues
- Unsatisfactory reviews on user interface (UI) in navigation and task management
- Relatively high cost for a basic platform with additional costs for any advanced features
Starting price: From $129/month.
Ideal business type and size: Tipalti is most suitable for medium-sized businesses with complex international payables needs.
Tungsten Automation (formerly Kofax)
Tungsten Automation is an intelligent automation software provider. One of their products – Tungsten AP Essentials™ is a cloud-based invoice processing solution designed to automate accounts payable functions.
Pros
- Capture and validation of invoices from paper, email attachments, and electronic formats
- Visibility into invoice status with real-time dashboards
- Automated approval workflows
- 24/7 cloud-based support and constant performance monitoring
- Integrates with popular ERP and accounting systems, such as Microsoft D365 and Oracle
Cons
- Based on platform reviews, the software displays occasional issues with data extraction accuracy
- Based on user reviews, the software lacks customization options, particularly for reporting and workflow adjustments
Starting price: Information on pricing models is not available on the official website.
Ideal business type and size: Tungsten Automation is best suited for medium to large-sized enterprises with high invoice volumes and multi-entity operations.
Xero
Xero is an accounting software that lets companies keep track of unpaid and overdue invoices without manual input. The software helps companies to facilitate transactions and create smooth communication between businesses and vendors.
Pros
- Detailed financial reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements
- Automated approval workflows
- Automated bank feeds with real-time financial updates
- Multi-currency support for international payments
- Integration with over 800 third-party applications
Cons
- Does not detect fraudulent or duplicate invoices
- Does not perform two or three-way matching
- Based on user reviews, Xero’s inventory management will struggle to suit businesses with complex inventory requirements
- The entry-level plan limits the number of invoices and bills that can be processed
Starting price: From $29/month.
Ideal business type and size: Xero is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses with small receiving invoice volumes.
Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct is a cloud-based accounting software designed to enhance the efficiency of financial operations, particularly in accounts payable (AP) automation.
Pros
- Two and three-way matching for purchase orders, invoices, and receipts
- Real-time financial reporting
- Customizable approval workflows
- Flagging of duplicate and potentially fraudulent invoices
- Integrated collaboration tools for communication between team members
Cons
- It may be costly for small businesses, especially when considering additional modules and third-party integrations
- Based on user reviews, while the software is highly customizable, customizing reports and dashboard features can be time-consuming and cumbersome
- Inventory and order management limitations
- Based on client reviews, initial setup, and configuration can be complex, requiring significant time and resources to tailor the system to specific business needs
Pricing: Information on pricing models is not available on the official website. Approximate prices often fall in the range of $10,000 to $30,000 annually.
Ideal business type and size: Sage Intacct is best suited for medium to large-sized businesses with complex AP processes and extensive customization requirements.
Docsumo
Docsumo is an intelligent document workflow automation platform with an invoice processing automation module, designed to automate data extraction, validation & review from unstructured documents.
Pros
- AI-powered data extraction from structured and unstructured documents
- Over 30 pre-build AI models for various document types and an option to get a custom model trained on a company’s document samples
- Secure cloud-based document storage
- Auto-splitting of combined documents
- Direct integration with many CRM, ERP, HCM, accounting and payroll software
Cons
- Relatively high cost for a basic module with custom pricing for any additional features
- Does not provide fraud or duplicate detection
- Does not feature automated two or three-way matching
Pricing: From $500+/month.
Ideal business type and size: Docsumo is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses that handle many document types.
Spendesk
Spendesk is a spend management platform designed to automate invoice processing along with other financial workflows, delivering more control and visibility to finance teams.
Pros
- Automation of the invoice management process, from submission to approval and payment
- Three-way matching of purchase orders, invoices, and delivery receipts
- Real-time updates to budgets with every new invoice
- Cloud-based document storage
- Detection of fraudulent and duplicate invoices
Cons
- Based on user reviews, Spendesk lacks in-depth analytics and detailed spending category breakdowns
- The platform can be relatively expensive for smaller businesses
- Based on user reviews, Spendesk is limited in customization options, particularly for specific business needs and workflows
Pricing: Information on pricing models is not available on the official website. Based on user reviews, Spendesk offers tailored subscription plans, which can be expensive, especially for smaller businesses or startups.
Ideal business type and size: Spendesk is best suited for medium to large businesses that anticipate increasing complexity in their financial operations.
Features to Look for in Invoice Automation Software
When selecting invoice automation software for your business, assessing the features that will best support your financial operations is crucial. Here are the key features you should look for:
- Data Scanning with OCR Technology
- Automated Approval Workflows
- Automatic Invoice Matching
- Fraud Detection
- Compliance and Security
- Multi-Currency and Multi-Entity Support
- Accounting and ERP Integration Capabilities
- Reporting and Analytics
- Scalability
Data Scanning with OCR Technology
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology is essential for automating the data capture from vendor invoices. Features to consider include:
- High accuracy rates: Look for OCR solutions that boast high accuracy in data extraction to minimize manual corrections
- Multi-language support: If your business deals with international vendors, ensure the OCR can handle multiple languages
Automated Approval Workflows
Efficient workflow automation features streamline the invoice approval process, enhancing productivity. Important aspects include:
- Customizable approval workflows: Ability to create and modify document authorization flows to match your specific business rules
- Role-based access control: Ensures only authorized personnel can approve invoices, enhancing security
Automatic Invoice Matching
Automated two-way or three-way matching ensures that invoice automation software automatically compares invoices against purchase orders and receiving reports. Look for:
- Two-way matching: Comparison of the vendor’s invoice to the purchase order to ensure item descriptions, quantities, and prices match, preventing overpayments and unauthorized purchases
- Three-way matching: An additional level of data validation. Comparison of the invoice to the purchase order and the receiving report (also known as delivery notes)
Fraud Detection
Protect your company from financial fraud by choosing software equipped with advanced fraud detection mechanisms. Key technologies to look for include:
- AI and machine learning: These technologies can analyze patterns and flag anomalies that could indicate fraudulent behavior
- Duplicate invoice detection: Automatic identification and alerting of duplicate invoices
- Vendor validation: Ensures that the invoices are coming from legitimate vendors through cross-referencing with approved lists to prevent vendor fraud
Compliance and Security
Ensure the software complies with industry standards and local regulations to safeguard your data. Look for:
- Data encryption: End-to-end encryption to protect sensitive financial information
- Compliance certifications: Adherence to regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and industry or region-specific standards
- Audit trails: Comprehensive logging of all actions within the software for accountability and compliance audits
Multi-Currency and Multi-Entity Support
For businesses operating globally, multi-currency and multi-entity accounting support is vital. Important features include:
- Currency conversion: Real-time currency conversion rates and automated conversion for invoices in different currencies
- Entity-specific workflows: Separate workflows and approval processes for different business entities or subsidiaries within your organization
Accounting and ERP Integration Capabilities
Your invoice automation software should seamlessly integrate with your existing accounting and ERP systems. Look for software that supports:
- Popular ERP systems: Integration with widely used ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, and NetSuite
- API availability: Robust APIs that facilitate custom integrations with other business systems
- Real-time data sync: Real-time synchronization of invoice data to ensure your financial records are always up-to-date
Reporting and Analytics
Robust reporting and analytics capabilities are essential for gaining insights into invoice processing operations. Look for software that offers:
- Customizable reports: Ability to generate reports tailored to your business needs
- Dashboards: Real-time dashboards with key metrics such as processing times, bottlenecks, and payment statuses
- Data export options: Look for software that allows data export in Excel, CSV, PDF, and XML formats, in addition to direct API integrations
Scalability
Ensure the software can grow with your business. Key aspects include:
- Cloud-based solutions: Cloud-based platforms offer scalability and flexibility without significant infrastructure investments
- Modular features: Ability to add or upgrade features as your business needs evolve without disrupting existing processes
By focusing on these features, you can choose invoice automation software that meets your current business needs and scales with your future growth. Make sure to evaluate each feature carefully and consider how it integrates with your overall financial processes.
Benefits of Using Invoice Automation Software
Implementing invoice processing automation offers numerous advantages that can significantly enhance your financial operations. Here are the most important benefits:
- Time Savings: According to Gartner, the average amount of avoidable rework in accounting departments can take up to 30% of a full-time employee’s overall time, which equates to savings of 25,000 hours per year for an organization with 40 full-time accounting staff.Automating the invoice processing workflow reduces the time spent on manual data entry and verification.
- Cost Reduction: By minimizing manual intervention and errors, invoice automation software helps reduce processing costs by 49%. It also enables timely payments, which can help you take advantage of early payment discounts from vendors.
- Improved Accuracy: Automation reduces human errors in data entry and processing. Advanced technologies like OCR and machine learning exceed 90% accuracy rates in capturing and validating invoice data.
- Scalability: As your business grows, invoice automation software can effectively scale to handle increased volumes of invoices without a proportional increase in processing time or staff.
- Regulatory Compliance: Automated systems help to maintain compliance with industry regulations by providing accurate record-keeping and audit trails, ensuring adherence to payment and reporting standards applicable to industry or country requirements.
- Enhanced Security: Invoice automation software that includes robust security features such as data encryption, user access controls, and fraud detection mechanisms protects sensitive financial information.
- Better Cash Flow Management: With real-time visibility into invoice statuses and improved processing efficiency, you can manage cash flow more effectively, ensuring timely payments and better financial planning.
- Vendor Relationship Management: Faster and more accurate invoice processing leads to timely payments, which can improve your relationships with vendors and potentially lead to more favorable terms and conditions.
By leveraging the benefits of employing invoice automation software you can transform your company’s financial operations, leading to greater efficiency, cost savings, and improved overall financial health.
Conclusion
Choosing the right invoice automation software depends on prioritizing features that align with your business needs. While we featured some of the best invoice processing software in 2024, we believe that Klippa SpendControl offers everything you need to take complete control of all your business expenses while saving precious time and costs on invoice processing.
Are you ready to leave behind the hassle of manual invoice processing? Book a free demo to see our product in action, or contact our SpendControl specialists for more information. Start investing your time into things that really matter!