Three documents, one source of truth.
3-way matching compares what you ordered, what arrived and what you're being billed — and flags anywhere they disagree.
- PO vs receipt vs invoice — the three records are matched side by side so differences stand out.
- Quantity variance — flags when the invoiced quantity doesn't match what was received.
- Price variance — flags when the invoiced price differs from the agreed purchase order price.
- Partial deliveries — handles part-shipped orders so you only match against what actually arrived.
- Overbilling prevention — stops you paying for goods that were never delivered or were billed twice.
- Audit trail — every match, exception and resolution is recorded, so you can show your working.
Small mismatches add up fast.
A few units short here, a price creep there — over a year, unmatched supplier invoices quietly erode margin and trust.
Catch invoices that bill above the agreed price before they're paid, not after.
Match against goods receipts, including partial deliveries, so you never overpay for short shipments.
A full audit trail of matches and exceptions makes supplier disputes and reviews simple.
Part of clean purchasing.
3-way matching is the checkpoint at the end of the buy side.
It sits inside procure to pay, right after purchase orders and goods receipts. The matched, checked invoices then export cleanly for accountant handoff, so your accountant gets payables data they can trust.
Frequently asked questions.
What is supplier invoice 3-way matching?
It's the process of comparing three documents — the purchase order, the goods receipt and the supplier invoice — to confirm you're only paying for what you ordered and actually received, at the agreed price.
What variances does Cobalt flag?
Cobalt flags quantity variances (invoiced quantity does not match received quantity) and price variances (invoiced above the agreed PO price), and handles partial deliveries so you match against what arrived.
How does it prevent overbilling?
By matching the invoice to the receipt and the PO, Cobalt highlights goods that were never delivered or billed twice, so they can be queried before payment.
Does it handle partial deliveries?
Yes. You can receive goods in part against a purchase order, and matching works against what was actually received rather than the full ordered quantity.
Is there an audit trail?
Yes. Every match, exception and resolution is recorded, giving you a clear history for supplier disputes, reviews and your accountant.
Does Cobalt replace my accounts payable software?
Cobalt provides operational matching and supplier invoice status, then exports clean data to your accountant. It is not a full statutory accounts payable or payments system.
Related pages.
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