When an ERP system implementation runs long and goes over budget, many organizations want to blame the technology provider for misrepresenting the project's cost and scope. However, the problem might actually lie in the buyer organization's lack of preparation.

Montclair State University in New Jersey found this out the hard way when a judge threw out the school's claim that Oracle had misrepresented the true cost of their ERP implementation.

Being a good manager is different from being a good leader; each role requires different skill sets. Accounts payable managers should be fluent in both if they want their departments (and the people working in them) to thrive.

Following concerns that the General Services Administration was planning to slash federal per diem rates, the organization instead announced it would leave rates unchanged in 2013.

The 2013 standard lodging reimbursement for CONUS (continental United States) destinations will remain $77 per day, while the standard meals and incidental expenses reimbursement will continue to be $46. The total standard per diem rate for 2013 will continue to be $123.

While the largest companies are the most likely to automate, there are steps small companies can take to play catch up.

The Accounts Payable Network has been releasing benchmark surveys on accounts payable automation for nearly a decade. One trend has held steady during that time: the larger the organization, the more likely they have automated.

A majority of a company’s purchases are made using purchase orders, according to benchmarking
results recently published on The Accounts Payable Network.

The PO Practices Benchmarking Survey asked 465 organizations from a variety of industries about their
purchasing policies, including which purchases require POs, how compliant are their buyers, how they
address non-compliance, and what dollar limits they place on PO approvers.

According to the survey results, the median organization associates 60 percent of its total purchase

Vendors may soon start charging more to customers paying by credit card, thanks to a $7 billion settlement reached between a retailer group and the two largest credit card companies.

With only six months to go before the European electronic invoicing directive takes effect, is Europe on the brink of an e-invoicing explosion?

Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) are nine-digit tax processing numbers assigned to individuals required to have a U.S. taxpayer ID but who do not qualify for a social security number.

New IRS interim rules make obtaining an ITIN more difficult. However, many of accounts payable's nonresident payees will be unaffected.

According to the new rules, between June 22, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2012, the IRS will only accept original identification documents and certified copies from applicants seeking an ITIN. The goal of the change is to protect the integrity of the ITIN process.

A law designed to prevent U.S. taxpayers from hiding their overseas bank accounts has led the IRS to release two potential new versions of Form W-8 BEN.

In the past, foreign persons (entities and individuals) have used form W-8 BEN to inform U.S. payees of their foreign status. Entities also use the form to claim a reduced withholding rate as part of an income tax treaty. (Nonresident individuals claiming treaty benefits for personal services income should use form 8233.)

Only one-third of organizations updated their travel policies last year. While having a strong policy that you do not have to change regularly sounds like a good thing, you could miss out on big savings.

These numbers come from a recent report released by American Express Global Business Travel. According to the research, not only do most organizations not review their travel policies, but the policies they do have in place are lacking in several key areas.