Has it become difficult to daily track and monitor freight consignments and bills? Are you sure your company has not overpaid or underpaid for freight? Are the administrative and logistics resources hired for global freight monitoring suitable for the job?
Freight audit services resolve the above questions for companies. We had earlier discussed freight audit services in our previous blog. This article gives further details on global freight audits and freight audit companies. In addition, we explain the terms of freight reconciliation, freight audit, and payment.
Global freight audits
It is the examination and verification of freight bills on an international scale. Some companies manually analyze each freight invoice in-house. This manual audit process is time-consuming and prone to human mistakes. On the other hand, partnering with freight audit companies saves time and money for shippers. Freight audit companies monitor critical parameters such as shippers’ data management, shipping carriers’ contracts, and payments.
Freight bill auditing
Global freight audit services offered by freight audit companies help in checking invoices for freight billing errors. The errors include inaccurate shipping weight, incorrect time mileage, miscalculation of discounts, wrong freight rates, and more. Auditing freight bills is vital for improving shipping companies’ overall performance. Proper shipping data utilization reduces extra expenses of surcharges and accessorials. Freight bill auditing involves:
- Centralizing invoice data for quick retrieval
- Grouping freight bills by shipping carriers
- Auditing for errors and verifying freight charges with SMC/ carriers’ contracts
- Auditing Fuel Surcharges and other accessorial.
- Providing bill payment reports for client
Freight bill auditing helps shippers save money and recover payment for billing errors.
What is Freight reconciliation?
Freight rates are a part of freight bill generation when the freight load is confirmed. Shipping carriers submit freight invoices to shippers. Freight reconciliation is a method of matching each freight bill with its corresponding freight invoice. The reconciliation process is manual or automatic. In either case, the reconciliation process involves submitting the freight invoice for payment by vendors.
Streamlining the freight reconciliation process
The freight reconciliation process may appear simple for one or two shipments a day. But, it is a complex process for businesses having thousands of freight shipping in a day. Freight audit companies use automation to streamline the reconciliation process by eliminating paperwork. In short, there is a consolidation of accounts payable and paperwork from multiple vendors. So, shippers receive a weekly freight invoice consisting of weekly freight shipping and vendor payments.
Understanding freight audit and payment
Inaccuracies in freight invoices and freight payments result in errors and high costs for shippers. Freight audits are essential for global shippers to prevent potential overcharging by parcel carriers. Freight audits reduce shippers’ transportation expenses. According to reports, the global freight audit and payment market will rise exponentially. It is due to an increase in demand for management systems in the transportation and logistics industry.
Freight audit and payment providers
It is challenging to manage freight payment processes due to inconsistencies. Thus, it is vital to partner with freight audit and payment (FAP) providers. FAP providers have the tools and expertise to manage global shipping transactions. They can root out duplicate invoices, verify freight rates, resolve claims, etc. In addition, FAP providers manage transportation spend on a global scale.
How to select the best freight audit and payment providers?
Freight audit and payment (FAP) providers have to use the latest technology in all aspects of shipping. So, reporting and collecting data in real-time ensures freight payments are on time. Shippers have to verify the business intelligence and reporting tools of FAP providers. In addition, verification of FAP’s software programs and reviewing their financial and credit history is essential. The FAP providers should increase their invoice capacity spend with the shipping needs of shippers. Finally, the freight audit and payment provider should have friendly business relationships with multiple shipping carriers to make matters easy for shippers.
Taking your freight auditing process to the next level with Audintel
Global freight audits identify errors and request refunds from global shipping carrier companies. Audintel analyzes complex freight data and provides customized shipping reports to our clients. Further, our team analyses shipping carrier contracts to lower shipping costs. We streamline freight payment processes to improve your company’s bottom line. Audintel conducts freight audits based on parameters, such as invoice date, invoice amount, shipping weight, bill of lading, etc. In addition, we have experts in freight contract negotiations to help shippers get the best freight carrier contract deals. Our freight audit services provide valuable insights into transportation spend.
Finally, shippers find it difficult to calculate freight rates for each freight shipment. In addition, freight rates and other surcharges change periodically. Freight audit services track and monitor changes in freight rates and accessorial charges and help shippers take the necessary action. Our team in Audintel deals with both freight and parcel audits, you can reach us for further discussions or you can call us at +1 (619) 354 8539. Further, you can also learn about our services on Audintel website.