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Automation guide

How to Automate Invoice Processing with n8n

Extract line items from PDF invoices, match against POs, flag discrepancies, and push to accounting automatically.

The problem

Finance teams manually key invoice data into accounting systems — a process that takes hours and introduces errors on 5-8% of invoices.

The outcome

Invoice cycle time drops from days to minutes. Discrepancies caught before payment. Zero manual data entry.

The tool

n8n — Open-source workflow automation with a visual builder.

How it works — step by step

  1. 1

    Invoice arrives via email or upload portal

  2. 2

    AI extracts structured data (vendor, amount, line items, due date)

  3. 3

    System matches against open POs and checks for discrepancies

  4. 4

    Approved invoices are posted to accounting; exceptions routed for review

About n8n

Open-source workflow automation with a visual builder. Self-hostable, 400+ integrations, and AI-native with LLM nodes.

Strengths

  • Self-hostable
  • 400+ integrations
  • AI nodes built-in
  • Code when needed

Pricing

Free self-hosted. Cloud from $20/month.

Documentation ↗

Ready-made n8n templates

Related guides

Want this in production?

Altor builds invoice processing automation for US B2B companies.

We don't hand off code and disappear. We connect to your live systems, ship to production in 3 weeks, and stay until the system delivers measurable impact. Invoice cycle time drops from days to minutes. Discrepancies caught before payment. Zero manual data entry.

Email us your workflow →