Most businesses already have a purchase order (PO) process in place—but is it enough and what role does monitoring spend play?
The real challenge isn’t just creating or tracking POs. It means confirming that the spend has been approved, monitored, and accurately recorded—before the invoice even arrives. Without clear spend visibility, businesses risk delayed payments, overspending, or receiving surprise invoices with no corresponding budget allocation.
That’s why leading procurement and finance teams are shifting their focus from basic PO management to automated spend monitoring and control.
What Does Monitoring Spend Involve?
Monitoring spend means gaining real-time visibility into what the business has committed to and approved—not just what it has ordered. This helps ensure every invoice received ties back to a valid, authorised purchase.
With the right tools, businesses can:
- Track spend against budgets or cost centres before the PO is raised
- Flag non-compliant or maverick spending
- View outstanding POs and expected liabilities
- Ensure teams don’t approve or pay unauthorised invoices
Moving Beyond Manual PO Processes
Even with a PO system in place, relying on spreadsheets or manual checks leaves too much room for error. A supplier may deliver goods without a matching PO—or an invoice might slip through approval without visibility into the original spend.
B2BE’s solution adds automation to the process:
- Connect PO creation, approval, and monitoring into one seamless flow
- Provide full audit trails for compliance and internal reviews
- Link invoices to approved spend before they enter the AP workflow
- Help finance teams forecast cash flow more accurately based on committed spend
Why Monitoring Spend Matters to Your Finance Team
The key to controlling costs isn’t just managing the order—it’s actively monitoring and approving spending.
When procurement and finance teams have clear oversight of committed spend:
- Budgets stay accurate
- Invoices are easier to verify and approve
- Pay suppliers on time and with confidence
Ultimately, monitoring spend builds a stronger, more transparent financial process—from procurement through to payment.
About B2BE
B2BE delivers electronic supply chain solutions globally, helping organisations to better manage their supply chain processes, providing greater levels of visibility, auditability and control. We’re driven by a passion for what we do, inspired by innovation, and underpinned by a wealth of knowledge. With over 20+ years of experience, the B2BE teams operate worldwide.
For more information, visit www.b2be.com.