Definition
An invoice is said to contain variances if a quantity or value in at least one item is invoiced at a different value than that expected by the system.
Use
If you accept a variance in an invoice item and overwrite the value suggested, the system checks if the variance is within the
tolerance limits defined in Customizing. If it is outside the limits, a warning message is displayed but you can still post the invoice. If an upper tolerance limit is exceeded, the invoice is posted but blocked for payment. You have to release the invoice for payment in a separate step.Structure
There are four different types of variance:
The quantity in the invoice is not the same as the difference between the quantity delivered and the quantity invoiced so far.

Ordered: |
100 pieces at $10/pc. |
Delivered: |
50 pieces |
Invoiced so far: |
0 pieces |
Invoice: |
80 pieces at $10/pc. = $800 |
The price in the invoice differs from the price in the purchase order.

Ordered: |
100 pieces at $1.30/pc. |
Delivered: |
100 pieces |
Invoiced so far: |
0 pieces |
Invoice: |
100 pieces at $1.24/pc. = $124 |
Both the quantity and the price differ from what the system is expecting.

Ordered: |
100 pieces at $10/pc. |
Delivered: |
60 pieces |
Invoiced so far: |
0 pieces |
Invoice: |
100 pieces at $11/pc. = $1100 |
If the price in the purchase order refers to a unit of measure different to the order quantity, this quantity is referred to as the order price quantity (for example, you order in pieces but are invoiced in $/kg). As a check, the system works out the ratio between the quantities in order price units and in order units. If this ratio in the invoice is different from the ratio at goods receipt, there is a variance in order price quantity. If the invoice is received before the goods, the ratio in the invoice is compared with that in the purchase order.

Ordered: |
100 pieces (= 250 kg) at $20/kg |
Delivered: |
100 pieces (= 240 kg) |
Invoiced so far: |
0 pieces |
Invoice: |
100 pieces (= 260 kg) at $52/kg = $5200 |
Thus, the ratio of order price quantity to order quantity is:
See also:
Posting Invoices with Variances