We have no real system here, just that we're supposed to obtain 3 quotes and submit to management or accounting. I need to purchase software, it's been on the radar forever, discussed at multiple mgmt meetings (with acctg present), etc. I got my 3 quotes, got management approval, put it in my 2011 budget in November showing payments starting last month ... did everything I think I was supposed to in order to let acctg know it was coming. Even sent mgmt and acctg an email asking them when I could proceed and acctg responded with "I can make this work whenever mgmt says it's ok."
So, mgmt signs+ the contract, I send the contract and invoice to acctg and am asked to tell them how much of a priority this is so that they can budget cashflow.
Would this annoy you? There has GOT to be a better way!
Re: How does it work at your company when you need a large expense approved?
I used to work in AP and as long as upper management approved a purchase and it was in the budget for that quarter, we'd pay it when it was due. Do you have to get a purchase order ? We always had to issue purchase orders and wouldn't pay a bill without one.. But really, we never worried too much about the cashflow issue unless it was $100k or more.. Also depends on the size of your business.
If something was $100k or more, we negotiated longer payment terms with the vendor..