--- title: Payment Approval Flows Overview description: 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. --- [Skip to content](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payment-approval-flows-overview#main-content) [![PW Logo_light_Green_ White](https://help.paymentworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20PaymentWorks%20Brand%20Guidelines/PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png?width=200&height=34&name=PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png)](https://www.paymentworks.com/) - [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/how-to-use-the-paymentworks-knowledge-base) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/how-to-use-the-paymentworks-knowledge-base) - [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport) [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport?hsLang=en) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 2. [Payer Knowledge Base](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en) 3. [Payments & Invoicing](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payments-invoicing) # 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 through our Contact Customer Support form in our Help Center.** [Learn how to submit a Support Ticket](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/support-ticket-creation-best-practices?hsLang=en)** --- **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](https://help.paymentworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Screenshots/payer_paymentapprovflow.png?width=670&height=471&name=payer_paymentapprovflow.png) If you need help selecting or updating your approval flow, please contact your PaymentWorks implementation or support team. --- **Related Articles / Next Steps** - [Understanding the File Status Dashboard](https://help.paymentworks.com/?hsLang=en) - [Uploading a Payment Instruction File (PIF)](https://help.paymentworks.com/?hsLang=en) - Approving a Payment Batch --- If you need further assistance, please contact **[PaymentWorks Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport?hsLang=en).** - [Payee Knowledge Base](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Verification Process & Document Uploads](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#verification-process-document-uploads) - [Account Login & Updates](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#account-login-updates) - [Invoices & Payments](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#invoices-payments) - [Invitations & Customer Registrations](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#invitations-customer-registrations) - [Account Creation & Onboarding](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#account-creation-onboarding) - [Payee Profile](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payee-profile) - [Manage Your Data](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#manage-your-data) - [Customer Table & Quick Connect](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#customer-table-quick-connect) - [Payment Methods & Bank Information](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payment-methods-bank-information) - [FAQs](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payee-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#faqs) - [Payer Knowledge Base](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Profile Manager](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#profile-manager) - [Platform Updates & Announcements](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#platform-updates-announcements) - [Sending Invitations & Reviewing Payee Status](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#sending-invitations-reviewing-payee-status) - [New Vendor Registrations & Updates](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#new-vendor-registrations-updates) - [Supplier & Invoice File Uploads](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#supplier-invoice-file-uploads) - [Payments & Invoicing](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#payments-invoicing) - [Training Videos](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#training-videos) - [SSO/Login & User Permissions](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#sso-login-user-permissions) - [Implementation & Configuration](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#implementation-configuration) - [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/payer-knowledge-base?hsLang=en#frequently-asked-questions-faqs) - [Developer Portal](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/developer-portal?hsLang=en) - [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/contact-support?hsLang=en) - [Help Center](https://help.paymentworks.com/knowledge-base/how-to-use-the-paymentworks-knowledge-base) - [Contact Support](https://help.paymentworks.com/contactsupport) [![PW Logo_light_Green_ White](https://help.paymentworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20PaymentWorks%20Brand%20Guidelines/PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png?width=200&height=34&name=PW%20Logo_light_Green_%20White.png "PW Logo_light_Green_ White")](http://paymentworks.com) Copyright © 2025, PaymentWorks