Written by
Vijeta Shetty Communication Manager

Published on

Table of Contents

“Your warehouse confirms deliveries in minutes. But invoices often sit untouched in finance silos for days.” 

That’s because the Goods Receipt Note (GRN) doesn’t always make its way to the AP (accounts payable) teams fast enough to start invoice processing. While operations move fast, accounts payable often falls behind, trapped in manual follow-ups.  

In our previous blog, we explained what a goods receipt note (GRN) is and why every delivery needs one. If you missed it, we’ve already covered what a Goods Receipt Note  is and why it matters. 

Over 20% of invoices contain exceptions often caused by missing or mismatched GRNs or incorrect PO details. And truthfully, a business without GRN visibility is operating blindly. And duplicate or erroneous payments cost businesses an estimated $2 million per year on average for mid-sized enterprises. 

 The fix? Integrating your GRN with invoicing to streamline your entire AP workflow. 

The crucial role of GRN unification with e-invoicing

When the Goods Receipt Note (GRN) is digitally integrated into the vendor invoicing or procure-to-pay system, it allows instant sharing of goods receipt data from the warehouse to the Accounts Payable (AP) team. Once goods are received, a GRN entry (also called MIGO in SAP) is created, which flows directly into your invoice automation system. This eliminates delays and manual chasing and accelerates the accounts payable cycle.   

Conversely, if the invoice arrives before the GRN is entered into the system, the AP team can instantly alert the logistics team to create the missing GRN (or to check if the goods were received as per specifications). Since both teams operate on the same unified platform, the concerned personnel can quickly generate the GRN corresponding to that invoice, ensuring seamless GRN creation and invoice matching while maintaining a fully compliant P2P process. 

Learn more about GRN automation.  

Step-by-step infographic showing how GRN creation, invoice automation, and payment processing work together in an automated AP workflow

Importance of GRN in 3-way matching 

A validated GRN is essential for accurate 3-way matching in accounts payable, ensuring that invoices are only paid when matched against verified receipts and POs. 

Read this blog to see how AP efficiency can be boosted by automating 3-way matching. 

Common myths and FAQs

Myth 1: “The GRN process is too complex to automate.” 

Reality: Modern solutions for invoice automation make GRN integration seamless with ready ERP connectors. 

Myth 2: “Our ERP’s built-in tools are enough.” 

Reality: Modern tools bolt on to any ERP system. Native ERP modules often lack advanced OCR, leaving gaps that specialist tools fill. 

What makes an invoice different from a GRN? 

The full receipt of the ordered goods is verified by a GRN. On the other hand, a supplier’s invoice is a request for payment. 

Can integrating GRN and invoicing improve compliance and audit readiness?

Yes, GRN and invoice integration improve audit readiness and ensure compliance through accurate, traceable accounts payable records. 

Conclusion  

By bridging the gap between warehouse operations and AP, GRN integration eliminates silos and accelerates the invoicing process with greater accuracy and control. Without completely redesigning your ERP, you can achieve greater supplier relationships, quicker approvals with 3-way matching, and real-time insight.  

Learn how CIP improves your AP workflow by streamlining GRN-invoice integration. 

Book a demo to see how Compleo Invoice Platform (CIP) enables seamless invoice processing and GRN integration tailored for your business.