Exploring the Basics of the Invoice Payment Manager- Check Payments

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the key features of the Invoice Payment Manager - Check Payments service.
  • Summarize the benefits provided by Check Payments.

Invoice Payment Manager - Check Payment Service Overview

Check configurations are funding sources for check payments in Concur Invoice, set up for each bank account. These configurations are vital for processing approved invoices efficiently. Once configured, the details are sent to the third-party payment provider to establish check templates in their system. These templates are then printed and mailed to the vendor.

Invoice Payment Manager, an add-on to Concur Invoice, provides your company with a robust supplier payment solution. It streamlines the management of payment batches of approved invoices and seamlessly integrates with SAP Concur payment partners to facilitate ACH (Automated Clearing House) and check payments to vendors. You can customize check templates with the Check Payments feature, incorporating company logos, addresses, signatures, and starting check numbers, ensuring efficient payment processing.

After SAP Concur enables Invoice Payment Manager, you can set up the check configurations.

Note

The service is only available for North America Data Center customers in the U.S. and Canada.

Considerations

  • You can use the Check Payment service independently or with the Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment service. Each check template is linked to a designated bank funding account. While using the same funding account for both Check Payments and ACH is feasible, the setup procedures vary for each payment method.
  • Allow up to 10 business days for a sample check to be available. The process restarts if the template is resaved before the sample is available.
  • After closing the payment batch, it may take up to seven business days for the vendor to receive the physical check in the mail. The Invoice Payment Manager's algorithm considers the invoice's due date and payment method type to recommend the optimal timing for check printing. Delivery time varies based on factors such as the proximity of the check partner, postal system handling, and the vendor's check intake processes.
  • You can set up check configurations in both currencies, but the system does not support cross-border payment. The Check Payment service specifically delivers checks to addresses within the United States or Canada. Payments are processed only when the bank and vendor's address align regarding location and currency. For instance, payments are made when the bank is in the U.S., the currency is USD, and the vendor's address is also in the U.S. with the USD currency. Similarly, payments occur when the bank is in Canada with the CAD currency, and the vendor's address is in Canada with the CAD currency.
  • Checks can cover multiple invoices to a vendor with a single payment. The check memo details provide comprehensive information to the vendor regarding the specific invoices being paid, aiding in their reconciliation processes.
  • Checks can pay multiple invoices to a vendor with one payment. The check memo details inform your vendor about the specific invoices being paid for their reconciliation processes.
  • You must finalize the check configuration after the Invoice post-purge, which may take up to seven business days to complete. In the event of setting up a test site alongside the production site, the SIMPEX process is executed instead of the Invoice Purge. However, you must establish a check configuration on the production site, as it will not undergo purging.

Check Payment Benefits

The benefits of using the Check Payments and Invoice Payment Manager tool are:

  • The entire invoice lifecycle, from invoice receipt to final payment, is managed in one system.
  • Supports payment of invoices directly to vendors.
  • Batches close daily or weekly, grouped by payment due dates and vendors.
  • Increased visibility into spending, reducing fraud and errors.
  • Complete control of the cash flow. Necessary funding amounts are clearly displayed.

Now, you understand how the Check Payments service works and its benefits. In the next unit, we introduce you to the roles available for the Invoice Payment Manager tool and the common terminology that you encounter.

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