What is Billed but not received?

“Billed but not received” (sometimes called a short delivery) is when a supplier invoices for more than was delivered. You order 12 cases, 10 arrive, but the invoice still bills for 12 — and without a receiving check, you pay for two cases that never showed up.

On a single invoice it looks trivial. Across hundreds of invoices a year it becomes real spend leakage. Catching it requires comparing the invoice to a goods receipt — a pre-payment exception review surfaces the mismatch automatically.

It shows up most in high-volume, recurring categories — foodservice, linens, paper goods, and amenities — where partial or substituted deliveries are routine and nobody reconciles each line. When Atrium flags a short delivery, the team can hold the invoice, request a credit memo, or approve it on purpose. The decision always stays with the hotel.