Vendor identification
Full legal name, DBA if applicable, mailing and remittance addresses, contact name, phone number, and email for follow-up. Accurate identification supports 1099 matching and vendor master records.
A complete form speeds approval and payment, reduces duplicate processing, and documents authorization for auditors. It creates a uniform intake for accounts payable, lowers the risk of incorrect bank transfers, and supports tax reporting and retention obligations across departments.
Typical contributors complete different roles: requesters enter invoice details, approvers confirm receipt and budget, and accounts payable executes payment.
Clear role separation and signer attribution reduce errors and create an auditable trail for internal controls and external reviews.
Oversees payment processing and control procedures, verifies vendor banking and tax status, and signs or authorizes final payment when the amount exceeds delegated approval limits. Maintains audit trail for reconciliation and tax reporting.
Provides legal vendor name, TIN or EIN, invoice references, and banking instructions. Establishes contact information for remittance questions and supplies supporting documents when requested for verification.
Optica implemented a standardized payment request to reduce manual follow-ups.
Xerox connected payment requests to its ERP for automatic posting.
Full legal name, DBA if applicable, mailing and remittance addresses, contact name, phone number, and email for follow-up. Accurate identification supports 1099 matching and vendor master records.
Vendor TIN/EIN and indication of W-9 on file. Collecting or referencing tax forms reduces backup withholding risk and supports year-end information reporting obligations.
Invoice number, invoice date, description of goods or services, quantity, unit price, and any discounts. This information ties payment to obligations and aids GL allocation.
Preferred method (ACH, wire, check), bank name, account and routing numbers, and remittance notes. Require a voided check or bank letter for new ACH setups to reduce fraud.
Requestor, budget owner, and delegated approver signatures plus general ledger account code and cost center. Defined approver thresholds enforce separation of duties.
Attach PO, contract, delivery receipts, or timesheets as applicable so AP can validate the request without manual chasing or file requests.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Approval order | Sequential approvers by amount |
| Authentication | Email plus optional SMS code |
| Attachments | Required for invoices over threshold |
| ERP posting | Auto-post after AP finalizes |
Choose delivery channels that match security and integration needs: email, secure portal, or integrated ERP intake.
Ensure the chosen platform supports audit trails, data retention, and the integrations your finance team requires for reconciliation and reporting.
Common terms: Due on receipt, Net 30, Net 60 — follow contract terms
Provide a W-9 on request; no filing deadline (per IRS guidance)
Recipient and IRS deadline: January 31 each year
Recipient: January 31; IRS paper: February 28; IRS electronic: March 31
Individual return due April 15; file extensions where applicable
| Document | Vendor Payment Request | Invoice | Purchase Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | request payment | bill for goods | authorize purchase |
| When used | post-delivery or service | after delivery | before procurement |
| Payment trigger | approvals and invoice match | invoice receipt | po acceptance |
| Buyer approval | required | typically required | required prior to spending |
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent | Plan-dependent |
Requester submits form with attachments for review
Accounts payable validates vendor, invoice, and coding
Budget owner or manager signs per approval threshold
Payment processed and remittance recorded in ERP