3-way match
Quick answer
The control that compares the purchase order, the receipt and the invoice before approving payment.
Key takeaways
- Paying for un-ordered goods
- Paying for larger quantities than received
- Invoiced prices differing from the PO
- Duplicate or fraudulent invoices
What 3-way match is
3-way match is the check that confronts three documents before payment: the purchase order (PO), the goods receipt (what actually arrived) and the supplier invoice. Payment is approved only if the three agree within tolerance limits.
What it prevents
- Paying for un-ordered goods
- Paying for larger quantities than received
- Invoiced prices differing from the PO
- Duplicate or fraudulent invoices
Tolerances
Thresholds are defined (e.g. ±2% on price, ±1 unit on quantity) under which the match passes automatically; above the threshold, the invoice goes to investigation.
How CRMconnect helps
CRMconnect links the PO, the WMS receipt and the invoice (portal or EDI/INVOIC) and runs 3-way match automatically, approving compliant invoices and flagging discrepancies for finance.
Real-world example
A company manually checked invoices against orders and receipts, with payment delays. After automating 3-way match in CRMconnect, 85% of invoices match automatically, and finance handles only real exceptions.
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Frequently asked
What is 2-way vs 3-way match?+
2-way match compares only the PO and the invoice; 3-way match adds the receipt (what actually arrived), giving stronger control against paying for goods not received.
What happens on a discrepancy?+
If the difference exceeds the configured tolerance, the invoice is blocked from payment and sent to investigation - clarified with the supplier or a discrepancy note is issued.
Where CRMconnect fits
Related terms
Purchase Order (PO)
The official document by which you buy from a supplier: agreed products, quantities, prices and terms.
OperationsGoods receipt
The process of checking and recording goods entering the warehouse, matched against the purchase order and delivery note.
FinanceProcure-to-Pay (P2P)
The end-to-end procurement cycle: request → order → receipt → invoice → payment → reconciliation.
FinanceSelf-billing
The model where the buyer issues the invoice on the supplier's behalf, based on confirmed receipt.