What comes first, PO or invoice?

This process generally involves multiple stages, including receiving and verifying the invoice, matching it with the corresponding purchase order and delivery receipts, resolving any discrepancies, and finally, approving the invoice for payment.

Does an invoice come after a PO?

Purchase order comes first and is created before the goods or services are provided while the invoice is usually sent after they have been rendered.

What is PO and invoice?

Although it is not a legal requirement, using a purchase order document to buy goods or request services, with a vendor later invoicing the buyer, can reduce misunderstandings, errors, duplicate payments, and financial issues down the line.

What is the invoice process for PO?

The key difference is that a purchase order is sent by buyers to vendors with the intention to track and control the purchasing process. On the other hand, an invoice is an official payment request sent by vendors to buyers once their order is fulfilled.

What comes first, order or invoice?

After it has been approved, the purchase order is a legally binding contract. When the purchase order terms are met, the seller issues an invoice. An invoice contains the previously agreed-upon amount, which the buyer must now pay once the order is fulfilled.

Where does a PO go on an invoice?

The P.O. number is most often found in a specific location at the top of the sales invoice, below, or beside the invoice number. It should be labeled as the PO number to avoid confusion. This makes it easy to find a reference for a specific transaction later.

Do you need a PO before an invoice?

A purchase order comes before an invoice. A purchase order is a document that a buyer sends to a seller to request the purchase of goods or services. Once the seller receives the purchase order and agrees to the terms, they will send an invoice to the buyer.

Electronic Signature
Features
Invoice templates
Streamline Your PO and Invoice Process

Streamline Your Po and Invoice Process with airSlate SignNow

Empower your business to send and eSign documents effortlessly. Experience a cost-effective solution that simplifies your workflow.

Sign documents online

Learn more

Collect payments & signatures

Learn more

Add wet ink signature online

Learn more

Sign documents on iPhone or iPad

Learn more

Award-winning eSignature solution

Move your business forward with the airSlate SignNow eSignature solution

Create your signature in seconds on any desktop computer or mobile device, even while offline. Type, draw, or upload an image of your signature.

Deliver a seamless eSignature experience from any website, CRM, or custom app — anywhere and anytime.

Organize multiple documents in groups and automatically route them for recipients in a role-based order.

Collect signatures faster by sharing your documents with multiple recipients via a link — no need to add recipient email addresses.

Create unlimited templates of your most-used documents. Make your templates easy to complete by adding customizable fillable fields.

Create teams within airSlate SignNow to securely collaborate on documents and templates. Send the approved version to every signer.

See airSlate SignNow eSignatures in action

Create secure and intuitive eSignature workflows on any device, track the status of documents right in your account, build online fillable forms – all within a single solution.

Try airSlate SignNow with a sample document

Complete a sample document online. Experience airSlate SignNow's intuitive interface and easy-to-use tools
in action. Open a sample document to add a signature, date, text, upload attachments, and test other useful functionality.

sample

Checkboxes and radio buttons

Try a sample document

sample

Request an attachment

Try a sample document

sample

Set up data validation

Try a sample document

Understanding the PO and Invoice Process

The purchase order (PO) and invoice process is a critical component of business transactions. It streamlines procurement, ensuring that goods and services are acquired efficiently. A purchase order serves as a formal request to a supplier, detailing the items or services needed, quantities, and agreed prices. Once the supplier fulfills the order, they issue an invoice, which requests payment for the provided goods or services. This two-step process helps maintain clear communication and accountability between buyers and sellers.

How to Create and Send a Purchase Order

Creating a purchase order using airSlate SignNow is straightforward. Users can start by selecting a template or creating a new document. Essential information to include in the PO consists of:

Vendor details, including name and contact information
Item descriptions, quantities, and prices
Delivery instructions and payment terms

Once the PO is complete, users can easily send it to the supplier for confirmation. This process ensures that both parties agree on the terms before any transaction occurs.

Managing Invoices Efficiently

After receiving goods or services, the next step is to manage invoices. Suppliers will send an invoice that outlines what has been delivered and the total amount due. Users can upload the invoice to airSlate SignNow, where it can be securely stored and accessed. Key elements to check on the invoice include:

Correctness of item descriptions and quantities
Accurate pricing that matches the original PO
Payment terms and due dates

By reviewing these details, businesses can avoid discrepancies and ensure timely payments.

Streamlining Approval Workflows

Using airSlate SignNow, organizations can streamline the approval workflows for both POs and invoices. Once a purchase order is created, it can be sent for approval to relevant stakeholders through eSignature. This reduces delays and enhances accountability. Similarly, invoices can be routed for approval before payment, ensuring that all necessary parties review and authorize the transaction.

Integrating with Accounting Systems

Integrating the PO and invoice process with existing accounting systems can enhance efficiency. airSlate SignNow allows users to export documents directly into their accounting software, reducing manual data entry. This integration helps maintain accurate financial records and simplifies tracking expenses.

Ensuring Compliance and Record Keeping

Maintaining compliance with financial regulations is essential for businesses. The PO and invoice process should include proper documentation and record-keeping practices. airSlate SignNow provides secure storage for all documents, ensuring they are easily accessible for audits or reviews. By keeping a well-organized digital record, businesses can demonstrate compliance and streamline their financial operations.

airSlate SignNow solutions for better efficiency

Keep contracts protected

Enhance your document security and keep contracts safe from unauthorized access with dual-factor authentication options. Ask your recipients to prove their identity before opening a contract to po and invoice process.

Stay mobile while eSigning

Install the airSlate SignNow app on your iOS or Android device and close deals from anywhere, 24/7. Work with forms and contracts even offline and po and invoice process later when your internet connection is restored.

Integrate eSignatures into your business apps

Incorporate airSlate SignNow into your business applications to quickly po and invoice process without switching between windows and tabs. Benefit from airSlate SignNow integrations to save time and effort while eSigning forms in just a few clicks.

Generate fillable forms with smart fields

Update any document with fillable fields, make them required or optional, or add conditions for them to appear. Make sure signers complete your form correctly by assigning roles to fields.

Close deals and get paid promptly

Collect documents from clients and partners in minutes instead of weeks. Ask your signers to po and invoice process and include a charge request field to your sample to automatically collect payments during the contract signing.

Collect signatures

24x

faster

Reduce costs by

$30

per document

Save up to

40h

per employee / month

Our user reviews speak for themselves

Kodi-Marie Evans

Director of NetSuite Operations at Xerox

airSlate SignNow provides us with the flexibility needed to get the right signatures on the right documents, in the right formats, based on our integration with NetSuite.

Check 5000+ reviews

Samantha Jo

Enterprise Client Partner at Yelp

airSlate SignNow has made life easier for me. It has been huge to have the ability to sign contracts on-the-go! It is now less stressful to get things done efficiently and promptly.

Check 5000+ reviews

Megan Bond

Digital marketing management at Electrolux

This software has added to our business value. I have got rid of the repetitive tasks. I am capable of creating the mobile native web forms. Now I can easily make payment contracts through a fair channel and their management is very easy.

Check 5000+ reviews

be ready to get more

Why choose airSlate SignNow

Free 7-day trial. Choose the plan you need and try it risk-free.
Honest pricing for full-featured plans. airSlate SignNow offers subscription plans with no overages or hidden fees at renewal.
Enterprise-grade security. airSlate SignNow helps you comply with global security standards.

Start free trial

Grasping the purchase order and invoice workflow

The purchase order and invoice workflow can be greatly improved with airSlate SignNow, an effective tool designed to boost document administration. By utilizing its capabilities, organizations can effectively manage their signing requirements while maintaining compliance and security. This manual will guide you through the procedures to use airSlate SignNow proficiently.

Steps to enhance the purchase order and invoice workflow

Launch your web browser and go to the airSlate SignNow homepage.
Set up a free trial account or log in if you already possess one.
Select the document you intend to sign or send for signatures and upload it.
If you anticipate using this document again, transform it into a reusable template.
Access your uploaded document and make any necessary modifications, such as adding fillable sections or inserting specific details.
Sign the document and assign signature fields for the recipients.
Click 'Continue' to set up and send an eSignature invitation.

By utilizing airSlate SignNow, organizations can achieve a signNow return on investment due to its comprehensive features in relation to cost. The platform is intuitive and scalable, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Furthermore, it presents straightforward pricing without unexpected charges, ensuring clarity.

With round-the-clock assistance available for all paid plans, airSlate SignNow distinguishes itself as a dependable option for managing your document signing requirements. Begin enhancing your purchase order and invoice workflow today!

How it works

Access the cloud from any device and upload a file

Edit & eSign it remotely

Forward the executed form to your recipient

airSlate SignNow features that users love

Speed up your paper-based processes with an easy-to-use eSignature solution.

Edit PDFs
online

Generate templates of your most used documents for signing and completion.

Learn more

Create a signing link

Share a document via a link without the need to add recipient emails.

Learn more

Assign roles to signers

Organize complex signing workflows by adding multiple signers and assigning roles.

Learn more

Create a document template

Create teams to collaborate on documents and templates in real time.

Learn more

Add Signature fields

Get accurate signatures exactly where you need them using signature fields.

Learn more

Archive documents in bulk

Save time by archiving multiple documents at once.

Learn more

Connect airSlate SignNow to your apps

Check out airSlate SignNow integrations

Data accuracy, security, and compliance

airSlate SignNow is committed to protecting your sensitive information by complying with global industry-specific

Learn more about security

be ready to get more

Get legally-binding signatures now!

Start your free trial

FAQs

Here is a list of the most common customer questions. If you can’t find an answer to your question, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Need help? Contact support

What comes first, PO or invoice?

This process generally involves multiple stages, including receiving and verifying the invoice, matching it with the corresponding purchase order and delivery receipts, resolving any discrepancies, and finally, approving the invoice for payment.
Does an invoice come after a PO?

Purchase order comes first and is created before the goods or services are provided while the invoice is usually sent after they have been rendered.
What is PO and invoice?

Although it is not a legal requirement, using a purchase order document to buy goods or request services, with a vendor later invoicing the buyer, can reduce misunderstandings, errors, duplicate payments, and financial issues down the line.
What is the invoice process for PO?

The key difference is that a purchase order is sent by buyers to vendors with the intention to track and control the purchasing process. On the other hand, an invoice is an official payment request sent by vendors to buyers once their order is fulfilled.
What comes first, order or invoice?

After it has been approved, the purchase order is a legally binding contract. When the purchase order terms are met, the seller issues an invoice. An invoice contains the previously agreed-upon amount, which the buyer must now pay once the order is fulfilled.
Where does a PO go on an invoice?

The P.O. number is most often found in a specific location at the top of the sales invoice, below, or beside the invoice number. It should be labeled as the PO number to avoid confusion. This makes it easy to find a reference for a specific transaction later.
Do you need a PO before an invoice?

A purchase order comes before an invoice. A purchase order is a document that a buyer sends to a seller to request the purchase of goods or services. Once the seller receives the purchase order and agrees to the terms, they will send an invoice to the buyer.

What active users are saying — po and invoice process

Get access to airSlate SignNow’s reviews, our customers’ advice, and their stories. Hear from real users and what they say about features for generating and signing docs.

Signing documents is much easier with airSlate SignNow

5

Riccardo B

What do you like best?

The airSlate SignNow website is constantly making improvements and streamlining the process over time. The user interface is also very clear and simple. Uploading a document or contract is very simple and straightforward. airSlate SignNow was quite easy to implement into our workplace. The customer service was also very good. airSlate SignNow has saved us a lot of time and has increased productivity in our workplace. The pricing is fair for the service provided to us.

Read full review

Amazing Stuff For My Business

5

Omid A

What do you like best?

Easy to use, keeps track of everything. Very reliable and error proof. Super low price.

Read full review

Streamlined & Simple

5

User in Real Estate

What do you like best?

Simple, straightforward and cost-effective. Like other eSignature solutions, it saves a ton of time and paper by allowing documents to be signed at signee’s convenience, but it has just the right amount of features at a good price.

Read full review