Not every invoice comes with a purchase order. For AP teams, non-PO invoices are the slowest, riskiest part of the payables workflow. They're also hard to standardize.
AI is changing that. With the right setup, non-PO invoices can be captured, coded, routed, and approved with minimal manual work. But risk doesn’t disappear
What Are Non-PO Invoices and Why They Matter
Non-PO invoices are bills received without a corresponding purchase order. Think: utilities, legal fees, freelance services, travel reimbursements.
They're:
- Harder to approve
- Prone to fraud or duplicates
- Common: up to 50–80% of invoices in services-heavy firms
Manual handling means delays, errors, and compliance headaches.
How AI Automates Non-PO Invoices
1. Smart Document Capture
AI + OCR extracts header and line-item data from PDFs and emails—even messy formats.
2. Predictive GL Coding
Machine learning suggests GL codes, cost centers, and tax treatment based on past invoices.
3. AI-Driven Approval Routing
Dynamic workflows route invoices based on amount, department, vendor, or past behavior.
4. Duplicate & Fraud Detection
Pattern recognition flags anomalies like duplicate invoices or vendor fraud.
5. Unified Workflow
PO and non-PO invoices flow through one system with audit trails and analytics.
What Can Go Wrong: Risks to Watch
ROI benchmarks
Non-PO invoices don't have to be chaotic. With the right AI tools, finance teams can handle them with control, speed, and confidence.
But automation is only as strong as its design. Build in oversight. Monitor outcomes. And always keep humans in the loop for exceptions.
Book a demo to see how Finofo automates non-PO workflows without losing control.
