Skip to content
Contact Support
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Payment Approval Flows Overview

Payment Approval Flows determine the action your payment instruction file takes after PaymentWorks completes its risk assessment and before the file is delivered to your bank.

Customers can choose from three different approval flow options, each tailored to meet different risk tolerance levels and internal process requirements. These flows can be tested during your payments implementation and updated at any time via a change request.

1. Standard Approval Flow (Default Option)

In the Standard Approval Flow, the Payer must manually review and approve each payment file before it can be transmitted to the bank.

Key Characteristics:

  • Manual approval is required for every file.
  • If the file includes Withheld Payments, these will:
    • Be removed from the file unless the Payer explicitly overrides them.
    • If overridden, the payment will be transmitted, but:
      • Liability transfers to the Payer.
      • The payment is not indemnified by PaymentWorks.

2. Auto Approval – No Withheld or Rejected Payments Present

When the payment file contains no Withheld or Rejected Payments, the system automatically approves and transmits it to the bank — no manual intervention is needed.

Key Characteristics:

  • Fully automated transmission if the file is clean.
  • If any Withheld or Rejected Payments are present:
    • Manual review and approval by the Payer will be required.
  • Notifications:
    • Payment Approvers receive automated email alerts for any issues.
    • Payers can also monitor activity using the Delivered Payments Report (found under the Reporting tab).

 

3. Auto Approval – Always Auto Approve

In this configuration, all files are automatically approved and transmitted, regardless of whether any payments are withheld or rejected.

Key Characteristics:

  • No manual review required — ever.
  • Any Withheld or Rejected Payments are automatically removed from the file and not transmitted to the bank.
  • Notifications:
    • Email alerts are sent to Approvers for transparency.
    • Delivered Payments Report provides visibility into withheld or rejected items.

payer_paymentapprovflow

If you need help selecting or updating your approval flow, please contact your PaymentWorks implementation or support team.

Related Articles / Next Steps

If you need further assistance, please contact PaymentWorks Support.