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Download 20 Essential AP Controls Checklist — free PDF
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20 Essential AP Controls
Free GetTheDocs finance resource. A practical self-assessment of the accounts payable controls every finance team should be able to define, evidence and test. Use it to find gaps and turn them into owned improvement actions. It is not a certification and does not replace an audit.
What the 20 controls cover
- Supplier governance: onboarding, master-data changes, bank-detail verification and duplicate supplier checks.
- Buying and receiving: purchase orders, approvals within delegated authority and goods-receipt evidence.
- Invoice integrity: matching, duplicate invoice checks, non-PO invoice approval and credit-note handling.
- Payment safeguards: segregation of duties, payment-run review, beneficiary checks and manual-payment controls.
- Accounting and reporting: AP-to-GL reconciliation, accruals, exception logs and evidenced sign-off.
How to use it
For each control, assess design (is the control defined?) and operation (is there evidence it works?). Record exceptions with an owner, a due date and an evidence reference, and arrange independent follow-up. The free PDF includes the full checklist, an exception log and a sign-off record.
Important: Controls reduce risk but cannot guarantee prevention of losses. GetTheDocs resources support, and do not replace, your organisation's policies, approvals and professional judgement.
Put this review into practice
For an Excel workflow that supports this review, explore the relevant GetTheDocs system and its requirements. Choose the workbook only if its inputs and review steps fit your team. Browse all free finance resources.