From agreement to invoice: a practical review.

Overview

The process touches several teams. Sales agrees terms, operations delivers, billing records charges and finance follows the resulting balances. Errors can arise when information passes between them or when the commercial agreement changes without a matching update elsewhere.

01 / 05

Establish the source of truth

Identify the signed contract, its relevant schedules and the amendment history. Note start dates, currency, unit definitions, approved rate changes and any prerequisites for charges.

Without a reliable agreement reference, the comparison cannot be interpreted confidently.

02 / 05

Connect delivery to entitlement

Check whether the service or product was delivered and approved under the relevant terms. A calculation may be arithmetically correct while the underlying charge is not yet due.

Operations and finance often need to confirm this together.

03 / 05

Recalculate with context

Use the right rates and quantities for the specific period. Note minimum commitments, thresholds, discounts and variations. Reconcile the result with invoices and related adjustments.

Never treat a basic difference as a legal determination; timing, taxation and commercial settlement terms can change the result.

04 / 05

Review and close the exception

For a material mismatch, record its source, owner, status, evidence and outcome. Separate unresolved queries, accepted corrections and closed items.

A repeatable exception log supports accountability and reveals where processes consistently break down.

05 / 05

Improve the recurring process

An occasional review can identify a problem. A periodic control can reveal whether pricing updates, handoffs and approvals are working consistently over time.

Kardivon is developing a structured approach to this type of review.