How a profit recovery audit works
A Qrecovr profit recovery audit runs in four phases: diagnostic, analysis, recovery and prevention. We work from extracts of your systems, without installing software or disrupting operations, and we only contact suppliers or authorities after validating each case with you.
1. Diagnostic: what do we need to know?
- Kick-off meeting to understand your purchasing and payment processes, systems and key suppliers.
- Identification of the data required and the periods to review.
- Signature of a confidentiality agreement.
- Outcome: defined scope and work plan. The diagnostic is free.
2. Analysis: how do we find the errors?
- Processing of extracts of invoices, payments, credit notes, contracts and supplier statements.
- Automated data matching, followed by analyst review.
- Confirmation of every case with documentary evidence.
- Outcome: a list of validated cases, with amount and rationale.
3. Recovery: how is the money returned?
- We present the cases and only proceed with those you approve.
- We contact suppliers or the relevant authorities, professionally and discreetly.
- We follow each case through to refund, credit note or offset.
- Outcome: a report of amounts claimed and recovered.
4. Prevention: how do we stop it happening again?
- We identify the root cause of each type of error.
- We recommend practical controls for purchasing, accounts payable and supplier management.
- Optionally, we keep watch with Qrecovr Radar, our continuous monitoring solution.
What data is needed?
Extracts (Excel, CSV or ERP exports) of supplier invoices, payments, credit notes, the supplier master file, contracts and price lists and, where relevant, VAT returns and records. No system change is needed.
How is your data protected?
Data is processed only for the agreed purpose, with access restricted to the project team and under a confidentiality agreement and a data processing agreement. Files provided by the client are stored on Qrecovr's internal server and, at the end of the project, are deleted or returned, as agreed with each client.
FAQ
How long does an audit take?
It depends on data volume and quality. We state the timeline at the end of the diagnostic.
Does our team need to spend much time on it?
Very little. We need one point of contact and the data extracts; analysis and recovery are on us.
Are suppliers contacted without our approval?
No. No claim goes ahead without your approval.
Which periods are reviewed?
Usually several prior financial years, within the legal and contractual time limits that apply to each case.