Auto-Extract & Approve Invoices with OpenAI, Jotform - Fraud Detection

Transform accounts payable from a manual bottleneck into an intelligent, automated system that reads invoices, detects fraud, and processes payments automatically—saving 20+ hours per week while preventing costly fraudulent payments.

🎯 What This Workflow Does

Automates the complete invoice-to-payment cycle with advanced AI:

📧 Check Invoices from Jotform - Monitor Jotform for Invoice Submission 🤖 AI-Powered OCR - Extracts ALL data from PDFs and images (vendor, amounts, line items, dates, tax) 🚨 Fraud Detection Engine - Analyzes 15+ fraud patterns: duplicates, anomalies, suspicious vendors, document quality 🚦 Intelligent Routing - Auto-routes based on AI risk assessment: Critical Fraud (Risk 80-100): Block → Slack alert → CFO investigation Manager Review (>$5K or Medium Risk): Approval workflow with full analysis Auto-Approve (<$5K + Low Risk): Instant → QuickBooks → Vendor notification 📊 Complete Audit Trail - Every decision logged to Google Sheets with AI reasoning

✨ Key Features

Advanced AI Capabilities Vision-Based OCR**: Reads any invoice format—PDF, scanned images, smartphone photos 99% Extraction Accuracy**: Vendor details, line items, amounts, dates, tax calculations, payment terms Multi-Dimensional Fraud Detection**: Duplicate invoice identification (same number, similar amounts) Amount anomalies (round numbers, threshold gaming, unusually high) Vendor verification (new vendors, mismatched domains, missing tax IDs) Document quality scoring (OCR confidence, missing fields, calculation errors) Timing anomalies (future dates, expired invoices, weekend submissions) Pattern-based detection (frequent small amounts, vague descriptions, no PO references)

Intelligent Processing Risk-Based Scoring**: 0-100 risk score with detailed reasoning Vendor Trust Ratings**: Build vendor reputation over time Category Classification**: Auto-categorizes (software, consulting, office supplies, utilities, etc.) Amount Thresholds**: Configurable auto-approve limits Human-in-the-Loop**: Critical decisions escalated appropriately Fast-Track Low Risk**: Process safe invoices in under 60 seconds

Security & Compliance Fraud Prevention**: Catch fraudulent invoices before payment Duplicate Detection**: Prevent double payments automatically Complete Audit Trail**: Every decision logged with timestamp and reasoning Role-Based Approvals**: Route to correct approver based on amount and risk Document Verification**: Quality checks on every invoice

💼 Perfect For

Finance Teams**: Processing 50-500 invoices per week CFOs**: Need fraud prevention and spending visibility Controllers**: Want automated AP with audit compliance Growing Companies**: Scaling without adding AP headcount Multi-Location Businesses**: Centralized invoice processing across offices Fraud-Conscious Organizations**: Healthcare, legal, financial services, government contractors

💰 ROI & Business Impact

Time Savings 90% reduction** in manual data entry time 20-25 hours saved per week** on invoice processing Same-day turnaround** on all legitimate invoices Zero data entry errors** with AI extraction No more lost invoices** - complete tracking

Fraud Prevention 100% duplicate detection** before payment Catch suspicious patterns** automatically Prevent invoice splitting** (gaming approval thresholds) Identify fake vendors** before payment Average savings: $50K-$200K annually** in prevented fraud losses

Process Improvements 24-hour vendor response times** (vs 7-10 days manual) 95%+ payment accuracy** with AI validation Better cash flow management** via due date tracking Vendor satisfaction** from transparent, fast processing Audit-ready** with complete decision trail

🔧 Required Integrations

Core Services Jotform** - Invoice Submissions Create your form for free on Jotform using this link OpenAI API** - GPT-4o-mini for OCR & fraud detection (~$0.03/invoice) Google Sheets** - Invoice database and analytics (free) Accounting System** - QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, or Sage (via API)

Optional Add-Ons Slack** - Real-time fraud alerts and approval requests Bill.com** - Payment processing automation Linear/Asana** - Task creation for manual reviews Expensify/Ramp** - Expense management integration

🚀 Quick Setup Guide

Step 1: Import Template Copy JSON from artifact In n8n: Workflows → Import from File → Paste JSON Template imports with all nodes and sticky notes

Step 2: Configure Email Monitoring Connect Gmail or Outlook account Update filter: invoices@yourcompany.com (or your AP email) Test: Send yourself a sample invoice

Step 3: Add OpenAI API Get API key: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys Add to both AI nodes (OCR + Fraud Detection) Cost: ~$0.03 per invoice processed

Step 4: Connect Accounting System Get API credentials from QuickBooks/Xero/NetSuite Configure HTTP Request node with your endpoint Map invoice fields to your GL codes

Step 5: Setup Approval Workflows Update email addresses (finance-manager@yourcompany.com) Configure Slack webhook (optional) Set approval thresholds ($5K default, customize as needed)

Step 6: Create Google Sheet Database Create spreadsheet with columns: