Glossary term

Three-way match

A three-way match compares an invoice with the purchase order and the recorded receipt or service confirmation. The purpose is to determine whether supplier, item or service, quantity, price, and acceptance evidence agree within configured tolerances. Differences should follow an exception workflow; a match supports payment readiness but does not itself execute payment.

A three-way match compares an invoice with the purchase order and the recorded receipt or service confirmation. The purpose is to determine whether supplier, item or service, quantity, price, and acceptance evidence agree within configured tolerances. Differences should follow an exception workflow; a match supports payment readiness but does not itself execute payment.

In plain English

It checks the invoice against both what was ordered and what was received.

Illustrative example

At Northstar Industrial Systems, finance compares a 100-unit invoice with the 100-unit order and the 96-unit accepted receipt, then routes the difference for resolution.

Related terms
Two-way match; Invoice matching; Goods receipt; Payment readiness
Lifecycle stages
Invoice; Reconcile
Stakeholders
Finance; Procurement; Operations; Supplier

Continue your evaluation

Turn useful reading into the next procurement decision.

Continue with a guide, walkthrough, calculator, or a focused workflow conversation.

Explore the Resource CenterBring a priority workflow