FROM QUESTION TO OUTCOME

A clear way forward.

  1. 01

    Agree on the comparison

    Choose a period, source versions, matching keys, and tolerances. State whether you are comparing an order, a shipment, an invoice, or a payment.

  2. 02

    Separate matches from exceptions

    Group records into matched, missing, duplicated, and conflicting. Preserve source values and evidence. A repeated invoice number deserves review before removal.

  3. 03

    Resolve and sign off

    Assign each exception to a person or party. Record the resolution and approval. Keep a reconciliation report separate from the underlying accounting entries.

ILLUSTRATIVE WORKFLOW / PLANNED EXPERIENCE

An invoice discrepancy with an explanation

The starting point
A supplier lists an invoice for $1,200. The buyer’s payment record shows $1,000.
The shared work
The comparison identifies a $200 difference and asks for the credit note or remaining balance. It does not invent a reason or change either ledger.
The intended outcome
The parties resolve the exception with evidence and keep a record of the agreed treatment.

Good matching rules prevent confident mistakes

Matching only on a company name or rounded total can join unrelated records. Start with identifiers and then compare dates, amounts, currencies, and line items. Separate an unmatched record from an actual disagreement: one source may simply be missing part of the period.

AI assistance can help explain exceptions and request information, but an agreed reconciliation process still needs source records, explicit tolerances, and human approval for consequential corrections. The useful output is a smaller list of clear questions, not a claim that every uncertain row is resolved.

A FEW USEFUL ANSWERS

Before you begin.

Is reconciliation the same as removing duplicates?

No. Duplicate detection is one check. Reconciliation also considers missing records, timing differences, partial payments, and conflicting values across sources.

Should an agent update our books automatically?

Define write authority separately from comparison. Start with a read-only exception report and require approval before any accounting or payment action.

Which records can we compare in Agent Commons today?

Shared imports and reconciliation are planned. You can create an account for early access; the public reference describes the current service.