Procurement and purchase managers face the daunting task of managing multiple employees’ demands to purchase goods and services. As representatives of the organization, these managers must exercise accountability and carefully evaluate the need for spending.

To help procurement managers begin the procurement process on the right foot and facilitate effective communication, the concept of purchase requisition plays a crucial role. A purchase requisition is a formal document that enables employees to request the purchase of goods or services on behalf of the organization.

In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the concept of purchase requisition number and its significance in procurement.

What Is a Purchase Requisition?

Before diving in on the nitty-gritty of requisition numbers, we need to understand what is a purchase requisition in procurement.

A purchase requisition is a document used by employees within an organization to request the purchase of goods or services.

What Is a Requisition Number?

A purchase requisition number is a unique identifier assigned to each purchase request made by an employee in an organization. It allows procurement managers to track requested goods and services with a full audit trail.

The purchase requisition number helps to prevent duplication of orders, overordering, or unauthorized purchases, leading to more efficient and cost-effective procurement.

While paper-based purchase requisition numbers were used in the past, many companies now automatically generate a purchase requisition, facilitating more efficient accounting and business reporting.

Components of a Requisition Number

Prefix: The requisition number often begins with a prefix that identifies the department or team making the request. This helps in categorizing and streamlining requests based on their origin, providing a quick reference for tracking and analysis.

Sequential Numbers: Following the prefix, there is typically a series of sequential numbers. These numbers are assigned in chronological order, reflecting the order in which the requests are made. Sequential numbering is crucial for maintaining a chronological record of requests and simplifying the tracking process.

Year Indicator: Including a year indicator in the requisition number ensures that each request is associated with a specific fiscal or calendar year. This proves invaluable during audits, financial analysis, and long-term tracking, allowing for a historical perspective on resource allocation and procurement trends.

Unique Identifier: To enhance the uniqueness of the requisition number, organizations often incorporate a unique identifier. This could be a combination of letters or alphanumeric characters, further differentiating one request from another.

Requisition Number in Purchase Requisition

The requisition number in a purchase requisition is typically found at the top of the document, serving as a unique identifier. This alphanumeric code allows for easy tracking and referencing throughout the procurement process, facilitating seamless communication and record-keeping.

A purchase requisition usually contains:

• The department’s name
• The requester’s information (name, location, and address)
• The requested items’ details (descriptions and quantity)
• The date of the request
• The requisition number
• The reason for the purchase
• The requested delivery date
• The estimated costs of the purchases

Where is the Requisition Number Used?

Requisition numbers find application across various domains within an organization, playing a crucial role in streamlining processes, enhancing accountability, and facilitating efficient resource management. Here are key areas where requisition numbers are commonly used:

Procurement and Purchasing

Requisition numbers are crucial in the procurement process, serving as unique identifiers for requests to purchase goods or services. They facilitate tracking from approval to delivery, streamlining the procurement cycle.

Budgeting and Financial Tracking

Requisition numbers play a vital role in financial processes, helping organizations track expenditures, commitments, and project-related expenses. They contribute to budgeting, financial planning, and decision-making.

Project Management

In project-driven environments, requisition numbers are associated with project-related transactions, including procurement of materials, hiring contractors, and allocating funds. They aid in tracking and managing project expenses.

Audit and Compliance

Requisition numbers provide a traceable record for audits and compliance purposes. They demonstrate adherence to internal policies and external regulations by offering a clear trail of all requests and associated transactions.

Workflow and Approvals

Requisition numbers are often associated with approval workflows. As a requisition moves through various stages of approval, the assigned number acts as a reference point, ensuring that all necessary stakeholders are aware of and can track the progress of the request.

Best Practices for Managing Requisition Numbers

Consistent Format

Establishing a consistent format for requisition numbers is crucial for clarity and uniformity. Whether it’s the length, the inclusion of specific identifiers, or the use of separators, maintaining a standardized format simplifies the tracking and analysis process.

Training and Communication

Educating employees about the importance of requisition numbers and the correct procedures for their use is essential. Clear communication and training contribute to a culture of accountability and efficiency within the organization.

Regular Audits

Periodic audits of the requisition management system help identify any anomalies, errors, or inefficiencies. This proactive approach ensures the integrity of the data associated with requisition numbers and enhances the overall reliability of the system.

Automated Solution

Implementing automated systems for requisition management can significantly enhance efficiency. These systems can generate requisition numbers automatically, ensuring accuracy and minimizing the risk of duplication or errors.

With automated solutions like Peakflo, easily create purchase requisitions with auto-generated requisition numbers and seamlessly convert them to purchase orders.

Are you ready to elevate your procure-to-pay process? 
Peakflo’s Accounts Payable software offers complete procure-to-pay automation. It enables you to eliminate time-intensive manual tasks, minimize errors, and negotiate better supplier conditions, resulting in cost savings and increased productivity.