# Invoice matching

> How StrideHQ reads creator invoices, matches them to the right creator and agreement, and flags anything that doesn't add up.

Every invoice is checked before it can be paid. StrideHQ reads it, matches it to the creator and what was agreed, and flags anything that needs a person to look at it.

## Adding invoices

In **Payments**, go to **Invoices** and choose **Upload invoices**. You can upload up to 50 PDF or Word files at a time, up to 20MB each.

## How StrideHQ reads an invoice

StrideHQ reads each invoice and picks out the supplier, amount, currency, VAT and due date, with a confidence score. It then matches the supplier to a creator in your account.

If an invoice can't be read clearly, it's marked for review rather than guessed.

## How matching works

StrideHQ checks each invoice against what was agreed with the creator: their contract and, where you use them, your purchase orders (POs). It checks the amount, dates and VAT, and looks for duplicates.

## What gets flagged

An invoice is flagged when something doesn't add up, for example:

- The amount is more than the PO or agreed fee
- It looks like a duplicate of an invoice you already have
- The creator's bank details or address are missing

A flagged invoice can't be approved until someone has looked at the flag and confirmed it.

## Reviewing and approving

Invoices that need a person to check them wait under **To review**. Once approved, they move to **Due for payment**, ready for the next payment run.

Your approval route is set in **Settings**, under **Finance**. If you use Xero, you can choose to give final approval there instead of in StrideHQ, and changes made in Xero sync back.

## Invoice statuses

| Status           | What it means                                     |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| To review        | Waiting for someone on your team to check it      |
| Ready to approve | Checked and ready for approval                    |
| Approved         | Approved and due for payment                      |
| In payment run   | Included in a payment run                         |
| Paid             | The creator has been paid                         |
| Missing bank     | Can't be paid until the creator adds bank details |
| Rejected         | Won't be paid                                     |