Methods of Payment

Invoices are typically paid by either check or Paymode.   In some cases other payment methods are required when working with a foreign vendor.   Regardless of the type of payment mechanism used - all invoices must be sent to AP with a PO/PR number.   If payments are made to an individual where no invoice exists - please use the Payment Request Invoice Template.  Payments made by check and Paymode are automatic and require no additional work for the department.   Wires and drafts require some extra steps and should allow for additional days in processing.  Form requests for wires and drafts must be the cover sheet of the documentation sent to AP for processing.

Checks (USD)

  • Checks are cut in the morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays based on vendor payment terms (typically Net 30 - 30 days after the invoice date).
  • Payments to INDIVIDUALS always have payment terms set to IMMEDIATE.  
  • Checks that require enclosures  - when documentation must accompany a vendor payment (e.g. subscription applications, registration forms for conference, utility payments) are processed in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and must include the Enclosure Request Form as a cover page to the invoice.
  • Checks to employees for reimbursements (only to those not receiving direct deposit via Payroll) are processed on Wednesdays.

Paymode (Electronic Payments)

  • Harvard University's Accounts Payable department utilizes the Paymode-X®service offered by Bank of America Merrill Lynch to replace paper checks and other traditional electronic payments.
  • It is the vendor’s responsibility to provide and maintain their banking information with Paymode, not AP.
  • Vendors who have signed up to receive electronic payment via Paymode have their vendor sites programmed to default to electronic payment
  • Paymode payments are processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays based on vendor payment terms (typically Net 30 - 30 days after the invoice date).

 Domestic Wires (USD)

  • Our wires generate from Citibank (USD wires).
  • Wires sent in USD tend to have their holds (if any) released the same day. 
  • Domestic Wires are processed Monday - Friday
  • Payments are made on immediate payment terms, no non-standard check processing forms are necessary.
  • Data entered into HCOM such as the business purpose does not get fed into the wire information sent to the bank
  • Limited to payment $1,000 and above.  Domestic wires below $1,000 are not allowed.  Domestic Wires should be limited to payments made outside the U.S.
  • To request a domestic wire fill out the Wire Transfer Authorization Form and turn in original documents with signature (no copies) to the AP address on the form. 
    • Make sure the form is the cover page to your invoice payment. 
    • The forms and invoices must contain the PR or PO number for payment.

Foreign Wires (Foreign Currency)

  • Our wires generate from Western Union (foreign Currency). Please follow these formatting guidelines when filling out the wire form.
  • When processing our Foreign Currency wires, at times, there tends to be a lag when the HOLD  is released although the funds have already been sent out.  
  • Foreign Wires are processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Payments are made on immediate payment terms, no non-standard check processing forms are necessary.
  • Data entered into HCOM such as the business purpose does not get fed into the wire information sent to the bank
  • To request a foreign wire fill out the Wire Transfer Authorization Form and turn in original documents with signature (no copies) to the AP address on the form. 
    • Make sure the form is the cover page to your invoice payment.
    • The forms and invoices must contain the PR or PO number for payment.
    • The PO/PR must have a 10% increase to allow for foreign currency fluctuations. Only actual rates at the time of the wire will be charged.  The remaining amount may appear on the Committed Funds Report but can be closed by sending a request to AP_Customerservice@harvard.edu.

Foreign Drafts (Foreign Currency Check requests)

  • Foreign Drafts are processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Payments are made on immediate payment terms, no non-standard check processing forms are necessary.
  • Data entered into HCOM such as the business purpose does not get fed into the wire information sent to the bank
  • To request a draft - use the Draft Authorization Form and turn in original documents with signature (no copies) to the AP address on the form.
    • Make sure the form is the cover page to your invoice payment.
    • The forms and invoices must contain the PR or PO number for payment.
    • The PO/PR must have a 10% increase to allow for foreign currency fluctuations. Only actual rates at the time of the wire will be charged.  The remaining amount may appear on the Committed Funds Report but can be closed by sending a request to AP_Customerservice@harvard.edu.