How do I compare an invoice to my order confirmation by SKU?

Line up SKUs from the supplier invoice against the prices you expected on the order confirmation (or your cost sheet). You want row-level flags—not a single total that hides under-cost lines.

What to check

• Same SKU keys. Normalize SKU / item codes so “ABC-01” and “ABC01” do not create false misses.
• Unit vs extended price. Confirm you are comparing the same column type on both sides.
• Currency and quantity. Quantity mismatches look like price problems if you only stare at line totals.
• Credits and substitutes. Replacement SKUs and credit memos need an explicit note; silent swaps break a naive join.

What Cost Column does

Cost Column is a browser-only paste tool. You paste invoice rows and reference/cost rows, then read flags for SKUs that look below cost or otherwise mismatched. Data stays in the tab—there is no upload backend.

It is built for the ops moment when Excel macros feel heavy and a finance portal export is already on your clipboard.

Practical workflow

1. Export or copy the invoice lines and the order confirmation / cost list.
2. Paste both into Cost Column on the homepage.
3. Read the flags and chase only the SKUs that matter.
4. Keep the guide handy for paste format tips.

If your question is “which SKUs are below my cost on this invoice?”, start on the homepage tool rather than rebuilding a VLOOKUP from scratch.

Why totals hide invoice problems

Finance teams often reconcile the invoice grand total to the purchase order total and stop there. That misses under-cost SKUs that are offset by overcharges elsewhere. A SKU-level compare is the only way to see which lines broke the deal you thought you had.

Order confirmations and invoices also disagree on description text even when the SKU matches. Always join on the stable item code first, then use descriptions only as a human hint. If your supplier rotates codes after a catalog refresh, document the mapping before you flag “missing” lines.

When Cost Column is enough

• Clipboard-sized exports from Excel or Google Sheets.
• One invoice versus one confirmation or cost list.
• You need flags in minutes, not a permanent ERP match rule.

When it is not enough: multi-currency consolidations, EDI 810 automation, or thousands of lines—those belong in your finance system. For the common “paste and find the bad SKUs” job, open Cost Column on the homepage and keep the guide nearby for paste format.

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