Accounts Payable Process Snapshot

Overview

Client Type

Multi-family Residential

Accounting Software

Yardi Voyager

Accounting System

AP is being performed in Yardi PAYscan environment with pre-set work-flows governing the movement of invoices across operations and accounting. The invoices are scanned into PAYscan manager by Yardi. Purchase orders are also created in Voyager by the site managers. Weekly Check-runs are being run in Voyager.

Key Activities Done

Entry of invoices and utilities, allocating AP invoices to correct work-flows, clearing held/stuck invoices by coordinating with site, Check/ACH Processing, Debit Card/ CC transactions and miscellaneous activities such as vendor set-up, funding petty cash etc.

Technology

Accounting Software accessed via web-login or remote desktop connection (for server-based versions), invoices and utility bills are accessed from PAYscan. Corporate invoices are uploaded by site/corporate office to DropBox account. Communication was via emails, weekly calls and GoToMeeting training sessions through screen sharing tools.

Brief Description of Key Activities:

Allocating Workflows to Invoices

This step involves reclassifying invoices from ‘Preliminary’ work-flow type to appropriate work-flows. For e.g., marketing invoices are allocated to ‘marketing’ work-flow so that invoices flow to the right approvers.

Invoice Processing -AP

This involves processing of AP invoices by applying the right open POs against them. This is typically a 2 Way Match with predefined tolerances for any small differences between PO and invoice amounts. This could also involve adding additional detail in the invoice like description, correcting incorrect GL code, allocating invoice across properties. The AP batch is then posted from India end.

Clearing AP Issues

This involves the AP specialist coordinating with site to move stuck invoices through the work-flow. Typical issues may include non-existent POs, non-creation of recurring POs by site, PO-invoice differences, invoice stuck in wrong work-flow, invoice pending for approval at regional/area manager’s end.

Invoice Processing- Utilities

This is handled in two different ways. For utility invoices, that are already in the PAYscan workflow, the coding and processing is done from India end. Other utilities may be sent to India end over emails or downloaded by them directly from utility websites. In such cases, the AP specialist would upload the invoice into Yardi PAYscan, code invoices, allocate work-flows and process them.

Entry of Utility Bills

The US end will upload Utility Bills in DropBox Folder/Google Drive Folder. The accountant will enter them in Yardi PAYscan workflow and post them (US can add an approval step prior to posting if deemed necessary).

Check Processing/ACH

Checks are entered in Yardi for open posted invoices by India end as part of Weekly Check-run and based on Vendor terms. The posted check batch is then approved and committed for payment from US end. Checks are then printed from US end.

Debit/Credit Card Entries and Reconciliations

Cards are set-up as GL account type and charges are booked as adjustments against the account. AP specialist then enters card charges based on transactions & receipts. Transactions are reconciled with the statement monthly.

Payables Reporting

Reports such as AP aging reports are generated as and when needed.