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Automating Invoice Processing in Accounting with AI

Invoice processing is a core part of accounting and bookkeeping. Automating this process using Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drastically improve efficiency, reduce errors, and help businesses stay audit-ready. In this blog, you'll discover how to automate invoice processing step-by-step using the latest AI tools, with ready-to-use prompts and practical examples.

πŸ” What is Invoice Processing Automation?

Invoice processing automation uses AI tools to extract, classify, and enter invoice data into accounting software without manual input. This includes vendor name, date, amount, due date, line items, tax, etc.

πŸš€ Benefits of AI-Powered Invoice Processing

  • βœ… Eliminates manual data entry
  • βœ… Reduces human error
  • βœ… Speeds up payment cycles
  • βœ… Ensures compliance and audit-readiness
  • βœ… Syncs directly with your accounting system

πŸ› οΈ Top AI Tools for Invoice Processing (2024)

  • – Extracts invoice data and integrates with QuickBooks, Xero.
  • – Enterprise-level AI OCR for invoices, purchase orders, and contracts.
  • – AI-based accounting automation with approval workflows.
  • – Mobile-first AI scanner and OCR API for receipts and invoices.
  • – No-code AI document capture platform, ideal for scalable invoice intake.

πŸ“¦ Tools for Email-to-Invoice Automation

  • : Forward email attachments from Gmail to Dext or Rossum.
  • : Build invoice processing workflows between email, cloud storage, and accounting tools.
  • : Extract invoice PDFs from Outlook and send to AI OCR.

πŸ“Œ Step-by-Step Guide to Automate Invoice Processing

  1. Choose an AI invoice processing tool (e.g., Dext or Rossum based on your business size).
  2. Connect your accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books).
  3. Upload invoices manually or automate via email forwarding to the tool’s inbox.
  4. Train the AI if needed (e.g., confirm fields on first few documents).
  5. Enable auto-sync to transfer extracted data to your books.
  6. Set up approval workflows (especially useful for multi-level expense validation).
  7. Regularly review flagged anomalies suggested by the AI.

πŸ’¬ Ready-to-Use Prompts for AI Tools

Use these prompts with compatible AI assistants (like ChatGPT + Zapier, or built-in AI features):

  • Prompt for Dext: "Automatically fetch all invoices sent to invoices@mycompany.com, extract total, date, and supplier name, and sync with QuickBooks. Flag duplicates."
  • Prompt for Rossum: "Classify this document as an invoice. Extract all line items, subtotal, VAT, and due date. Match it with PO number from the accounting system."
  • Prompt for Vic.ai: "Route this invoice to department head for approval. Post to accounts payable on approval. Notify CFO for invoices over $5,000."

🚧 Limitations & Best Practices

  • ⚠️ AI accuracy improves over time with review and correction.
  • ⚠️ Human oversight is needed for legal and compliance checks.
  • ⚠️ Use encrypted tools to handle financial documents.

βœ… Final Thoughts

AI-powered invoice processing can save hours of repetitive work, reduce cost, and improve accuracy in your business accounting workflow. Tools like Dext, Rossum, and Vic.ai make this transition simple, secure, and scalable. Start with email forwarding + invoice OCR, then scale to full automation with approval workflows.

πŸ“˜ Top Books to Master AI-Powered Accounting & Bookkeeping Automation

πŸ“˜ Accounting AI : Automate Your Accounting Business

June 6, 2023

by Charnelle Gibson (Author)

A practical guide that maps closely to blog’s themeβ€”uses OCR, invoice processing, reconciliation, fraud detection, forecasting, and highlights leading AI tools. Ideal for small-to-medium firms.
In this book, you will learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to automate your accounting tasks, improve your accuracy, and make better decisions. And discover some of the best AI accounting tools on the market.

AWS Certified 2.0β˜…
View on Amazon

πŸ“— The Automated Accountant: AI-Powered Accounting for Tax, Strategy, and Advisory

November 30, 2024

by Damon L. Russel (Author)

Focuses on how AI supports tax compliance, financial reporting, and advisory services. Includes real-world case studies, ethics, and data securityβ€”great for firms scaling into advanced automation. The first book in the AI-Powered Accounting series, crafted to help accounting professionals thrive in the era of AI and automation. It offers a clear roadmap to help accounting professionals embrace the digital revolution.

AWS Certified 3.5β˜…
Explore the Book

πŸ“™ Artificial Intelligence in Accounting: Practical Applications

August 1, 2022

by Cory Ng (Author), John Alarcon (Author)

Published by Routledge, this book offers deep insight into key AI methodsβ€”ML, NLP, deep learningβ€”and applies them across receivables, reconciliation, forecasting, and compliance and also Offers practical guidance that you can leverage for your organization, this book provides an overview of essential AI concepts and technologies that accountants should know, such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing.

Routledge(Publisher) 3.2β˜…
Get It Now

πŸ€– AiCCOUNTANTS ACCOUNTANTS AUGMENTED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) β„’

January 31, 2023

by HITENDRA R PATIL (Author)

Brimming with nearly 100 real-world examples, plus checklists and templates. Helps professionals understand automation in invoice processing, fraud detection, and financial reporting. A must-read for any accountant looking to stay competitive & relevant in the AI age. This essential AI guidebook aims to provide accountants with a solid understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including its implications for the accounting profession

AWS Certified 4.0β˜…
Explore It

Tip: Most books come with Kindle versions or audiobooks. Learn on the go and start automating smarter!

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Microsoft Power Automate: Email-to-OCR Workflow

πŸ“₯ What is Power Automate?

  • Microsoft's low-code automation platform for building smart workflows.
  • Automates tasks between Microsoft Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and AI tools like Rossum or Azure Form Recognizer.
  • Perfect for processing invoices from emails directly into OCR systems.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Go to flow.microsoft.com (Power Automate).
  • 2. Log in with your Microsoft account and create a new "Automated Cloud Flow."
  • 3. Set trigger: β€œWhen a new email arrives in Outlook (with attachment).”
  • 4. Add actions: Save PDF to OneDrive or SharePoint ➜ Trigger OCR API (e.g., Azure, Rossum).
  • 5. Test and activate. Your workflow will now run continuously.

βš™οΈ What It Automates:

  • Detects emails with invoice attachments in Outlook.
  • Saves PDF files to a folder for further processing.
  • Calls OCR tools to extract data from invoice documents.
  • Optional: log results or update Excel/ERP systems automatically.

⚑ Why Power Automate is Powerful:

  • Native integration with Microsoft 365 and Outlook.
  • Supports over 1,000 connectors β€” including third-party OCR tools.
  • No-code to low-code interface for non-technical users.
  • Robust scheduling, approvals, and error handling built-in.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Use subject line filters like β€œinvoice” to reduce noise.
  • Set up approval steps before pushing OCR results to accounting systems.
  • Log each OCR output in Excel or SQL for traceability.
  • Use environment variables to reuse flows across departments.
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Make.com: Visual Invoice Workflow Automation

πŸ”„ What is Make.com?

  • A powerful no-code automation platform for building custom workflows.
  • Connects apps like Gmail, OneDrive, Dropbox, QuickBooks, Xero, Dext, Rossum, and more.
  • Ideal for automating invoice collection, storage, extraction, and syncing with accounting tools.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Visit make.com and sign up for free.
  • 2. Create a new scenario using their visual builder.
  • 3. Add modules like Gmail (trigger), Google Drive (upload), and QuickBooks or Dext (sync data).
  • 4. Test the workflow and enable it for continuous automation.

βš™οΈ What It Automates:

  • Capturing invoice attachments from emails automatically.
  • Uploading and organizing invoices in cloud storage folders.
  • Triggering OCR tools like Rossum or Dext to extract data.
  • Syncing the extracted data to QuickBooks or Xero.

⚑ Why Make.com Stands Out:

  • Drag-and-drop interface β€” perfect for visual thinkers.
  • Advanced filtering, scheduling, and branching logic.
  • Supports multi-step and conditional workflows.
  • Trusted by enterprise users and startups alike for its flexibility.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Create error-handling paths to log or email failed steps.
  • Use built-in routers to create parallel invoice flows.
  • Batch-process multiple invoices to reduce execution costs.
  • Schedule workflows during off-hours to avoid traffic spikes.
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Zapier: Automate Email Attachment Forwarding

πŸ” What is Zapier?

  • A no-code automation platform that connects your favorite apps like Gmail, Dext, and Rossum.
  • Allows you to automatically forward email attachments for invoice scanning and processing.
  • Perfect for streamlining repetitive tasks across your accounting or document intake workflows.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Go to zapier.com and sign up for a free account.
  • 2. Create a β€œZap” with Gmail as the trigger (e.g., new email with attachment).
  • 3. Set the action to upload file to Dext or Rossum.
  • 4. Test the workflow, turn it on, and let Zapier handle the rest automatically!

βš™οΈ What It Automates:

  • Captures new email attachments from specific labels, senders, or keywords.
  • Forwards PDFs and invoices directly into AI tools like Dext or Rossum.
  • Eliminates the need to manually download and upload files.

⚑ Why It’s a Game-Changer:

  • Supports 6,000+ apps including accounting, CRM, and storage platforms.
  • No programming required β€” automation in just a few clicks.
  • Saves hours weekly by reducing document handling friction.
  • Works 24/7 in the background, even when you’re offline.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Use Gmail filters to label invoice emails for targeted automation.
  • Set up fallback notifications via Slack or email if upload fails.
  • Log forwarded files into Google Sheets for tracking and audits.
  • Combine with AI tools for full-cycle document automation.
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Parashift: No-Code AI Document Capture

πŸ“„ What is Parashift?

  • A cloud-based, no-code platform for AI-powered document data extraction.
  • Specialized in scalable invoice intake, but works with many document types (POs, delivery notes, etc.).
  • No training or configuration needed β€” just upload and go.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Visit parashift.io and request a free trial.
  • 2. Upload sample documents via drag-and-drop or email ingestion.
  • 3. See instant data capture with field-level confidence scores.
  • 4. Export or integrate data with your ERP or workflow tool.

βš™οΈ What It Automates:

  • Invoice capture, line item extraction, VAT and currency handling.
  • Classification of document types using AI.
  • Multi-language document support with high precision OCR.

⚑ Why Parashift Is Unique:

  • No coding or training required β€” true plug-and-play AI.
  • Handles complex, variable document layouts easily.
  • GDPR-compliant with Swiss cloud hosting and top-tier security.
  • Ideal for companies scaling invoice capture across departments or clients.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Use the Parashift Cloud Platform for collaborative review and corrections.
  • Combine with workflow tools like Power Automate or Zapier for full automation.
  • Use REST API and webhook support for real-time integrations.
  • Check accuracy metrics in the dashboard to improve automation confidence.
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Veryfi: Mobile-First AI Scanner & OCR API

πŸ“± What is Veryfi?

  • An AI-powered platform for scanning receipts, invoices, and documents in real time.
  • Optimized for mobile and API integration β€” fast, secure, and accurate.
  • No human in the loop β€” 100% machine-based OCR and data extraction.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Visit veryfi.com and create a free account.
  • 2. Download the mobile app for iOS or Android.
  • 3. Use your phone camera to scan receipts or invoices.
  • 4. Explore their developer docs to integrate the OCR API into your own software.

βš™οΈ What It Automates:

  • Real-time extraction of fields like vendor, total, date, line items, tax, etc.
  • Auto-categorization of expenses with GL codes.
  • Data export to QuickBooks, Xero, Excel, or your custom system.

⚑ Why Veryfi Is Powerful:

  • Mobile-first design β€” fast, easy scanning on the go.
  • World-class AI OCR with sub-second results.
  • Bank-grade security and HIPAA-compliant cloud.
  • Fully customizable via APIs β€” ideal for developers and businesses.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Use the auto-crop and glare correction features for cleaner scans.
  • Automate approvals by combining Veryfi with Zapier or Make.
  • Batch scan multiple receipts to save time.
  • Use webhook callbacks in the API for real-time data processing.
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Vic.ai: AI-Based Accounting Automation & Approvals

πŸ“„ What is Vic.ai?

  • A cutting-edge AI platform built for accounting teams and finance departments.
  • Automates invoice processing, approval workflows, and GL coding without templates.
  • Reduces reliance on manual bookkeeping and improves decision-making.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Go to vic.ai and request a free demo.
  • 2. Connect your ERP or accounting system (e.g., Sage Intacct, NetSuite).
  • 3. Upload invoices or connect your email for auto-capture.
  • 4. Train the AI using real-time invoice reviews and approval steps.

βš™οΈ What It Automates:

  • Invoice ingestion, GL account classification, and approval routing.
  • Identifies errors, duplicate payments, and fraud risks automatically.
  • Supports multi-level approval workflows with audit trails.

⚑ Why Vic.ai Stands Out:

  • No templates needed β€” AI learns accounting logic from your data.
  • Continuously improves with every invoice processed.
  • Real-time confidence scores for every transaction.
  • Delivers up to 80% time savings for AP (Accounts Payable) teams.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Use the dashboard to monitor invoice processing speed and AI accuracy.
  • Enable auto-approvals for low-risk vendors to save time.
  • Review confidence scores to quickly spot anomalies or outliers.
  • Integrate with Slack or email for instant approval notifications.
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Rossum: AI OCR for Invoices, Purchase Orders & Contracts

πŸ“„ What is Rossum?

  • A powerful AI-powered OCR platform designed for enterprises.
  • Specializes in extracting structured data from documents like invoices, POs, and contracts.
  • Trained to understand document layouts and content without custom templates.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Visit rossum.ai and request a demo or sign up.
  • 2. Upload sample documents through their intuitive interface or API.
  • 3. Review extracted data and set up your validation workflow.
  • 4. Integrate with ERP/accounting systems for seamless data flow.

βš™οΈ How It Helps with Automation:

  • Extracts key fields from documents using self-learning AI (no templates).
  • Detects document types and adapts extraction intelligently.
  • Reduces manual document processing time by over 80%.
  • Supports end-to-end automation from intake to export.

⚑ What Makes Rossum Stand Out:

  • Enterprise-ready with robust API & security features.
  • Processes high volumes of diverse document formats.
  • AI learns continuously from user feedback and new documents.
  • Can validate data against ERP systems before submission.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Use Rossum's validation interface to train AI on edge cases faster.
  • Automate data routing by document type (e.g., invoices vs. contracts).
  • Enable real-time alerts for data mismatches or anomalies.
  • Leverage pre-built connectors for SAP, Oracle, and others.
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Dext (formerly Receipt Bank): Invoice Data Extraction & Integration

πŸ“„ What is Dext?

  • An AI-powered tool that extracts data from invoices, receipts, and bills automatically.
  • Simplifies bookkeeping by capturing and organizing financial documents.
  • Seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting platforms.

πŸš€ How to Get Started:

  • 1. Go to dext.com and sign up.
  • 2. Connect your accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero.
  • 3. Upload invoices and receipts via mobile app, email, or drag-and-drop.
  • 4. Let Dext extract and categorize your financial data automatically.
  • 5. Review and publish data directly to your accounting system.

βš™οΈ How It Helps with Automation:

  • Eliminates manual data entry by extracting key details instantly.
  • Auto-categorizes expenses and matches them to transactions.
  • Speeds up bookkeeping and reduces errors.
  • Integrates with multiple platforms for smooth workflow.

⚑ Why Choose Dext?

  • Highly accurate AI-driven data extraction.
  • User-friendly interface with mobile and desktop access.
  • Supports multi-currency and international documents.
  • Improves bookkeeping efficiency and cash flow visibility.

πŸ’‘ Smart Tips:

  • Use the mobile app to capture receipts on the go for real-time processing.
  • Set up automatic syncing schedules with your accounting software.
  • Review extracted data regularly to ensure accuracy and compliance.
  • Leverage integrations to automate invoice approvals and payments.