Episode 35: 4 Options to Scrub Addresses in Your Vendor Master File

In some ERPs like PeopleSoft and SAP, vendor addresses can be validated real-time, geocodes and tax code identifiers can be added to the vendor record.  If you don’t use a system that has that capability, or even if you do, it does not standardize the address.  This can result in a vendor master file where the addresses are based on which team member entered them such as “P.O. Box” vs “PO Box” or the non-standardized “Suite 500” being on the second address line vs “STE 500” on the first line with the street address. Errors in addresses can lead to delayed receipt of check payments, or the return of checks which can lead to uncashed checks and the task of unclaimed property.  It can also lead to the return of 1099/1042 forms.