This research is general operational information, not legal, tax, accounting, employment, benefits, privacy, cybersecurity, insurance, or financial advice.
Research question and scope
This protocol examines ap approval latency. It reports what one defined record can show in a fixed window and does not claim an industry rate or a causal effect.
Population and unit of analysis
The unit is one invoice at first receipt. Using one unit keeps linked events from being counted as independent successes or failures.
Definitions and measures
The measure is the time from receipt to approval and the late share. Publish the denominator and time window beside each count.
Evidence and data dictionary
Collect the receipt time, approver, and payment run. Keep missing, unavailable, and confirmed negative as separate states.
Sampling and collection
The sample is invoices received during one month. Record the observation date and exclude items already open before the window.
Analysis and reporting
Report latency by vendor and amount band. Separate staff behavior from system behavior whenever the evidence supports it.
Limitations and sources of error
Limits include reissued invoices and missing purchase orders. State them beside the finding and avoid turning a small sample into a universal standard.
Review cadence and next action
The next step is to add one earlier reminder before the run cutoff. Re-test a later sample after the change.