Weetabix – AP Automation & Power BI Reporting in Kettering

Kettering-based Weetabix is one of the UK’s largest breakfast cereal manufacturers, producing approximately three billion Weetabix biscuits annually and exporting to over 80 countries. With more than 1,000 employees and an extensive supplier network, Weetabix needed an efficient, controlled approach to managing its accounts payable processes.

Solution: Accounts Payable Automation & Invoice Management
Location: Kettering
Sector: Manufacturing
Finance System: Microsoft Dynamics AX to Microsoft Dynamics 365
Invoice Volume: Approximately 35,000 per annum

Streamlining Manual Invoice Processing & SOx Compliance

Processing approximately 35,000 supplier invoices annually, across more than 650 active suppliers, presented a significant administrative challenge for Weetabix. With 20% of invoices received on paper and 80% by email, manual processing created unnecessary delays and limited visibility.

To meet Weetabix’s Sarbanes-Oxley (SOx) compliance requirements, invoice variances outside agreed tolerances required manual approval, either through signed paper invoices or email. Gathering the supporting documentation for monthly SOx checks was time-consuming and prone to human error.

Weetabix partnered with Documation to introduce an invoice management solution (IMS) that would automate invoice workflows, strengthen internal controls and improve reporting across its accounts payable operations.

Automated Invoice Approvals, Workflow Visibility & Power BI Reporting

Digital Invoice Approvals & SOx Controls

Documation’s Invoice Management Solution enables requisitioners to review invoices through digital in-trays, replacing manual approval processes. Built-in tolerances allow small invoice variances to be approved efficiently while maintaining Weetabix’s internal controls and SOx compliance requirements.
Invoice Tracking & Workflow Visibility

Digital invoice management provides visibility of invoices and their associated approvals throughout the process. Documents can be searched and retrieved from the archive, helping the finance team resolve queries, monitor approval status and reduce the administrative burden of manual document handling.
Power BI Dashboards & Invoice Processing Analytics

Integrated Power BI reporting provides Weetabix with greater insight into invoice processing performance, including straight-through processing rates and invoices requiring intervention. Interactive dashboards help identify bottlenecks, monitor workflow efficiency and enable targeted improvements. Power BI also allows the finance team to produce Supplier Payment Practices reports internally, removing the need for third-party reporting support.

The Outcome: Faster Invoice Processing & Improved Financial Visibility

By implementing Documation’s accounts payable automation solution, Weetabix has improved invoice processing efficiency, strengthened financial controls and gained greater visibility of its accounts payable operations.

Automated approvals and digital workflows have reduced manual administration, while Power BI reporting enables the team to identify processing issues and take corrective action more quickly, supporting timely supplier payments.

One of the most significant improvements has been the reduction in time spent gathering audit information. Previously requiring hours of manual document searches, supporting audit information can now be produced in minutes.

Have an Invoice Process That Needs Automating?

Whether you’re looking to reduce manual invoice processing, improve financial reporting or integrate automation with your existing finance system, Documation can configure a solution around your requirements.

Tell us what you’re looking to achieve and we’ll help you find the right approach.