Getting paid

Invoices should be sent to the address specified on the purchase order. To avoid delay in payment it is important that the invoice is legally compliant and that it includes a valid PO number, PO item number (if applicable) and the details (name and telephone number) of your BBC contact. Non-compliant invoices will be sent back to the supplier which may lead to a delay in payment.

The following information must be provided on each invoice:

• Addressed to the BBC, British Broadcasting Corporation or relevant BBC subsidiary. Department or programme title on its own is not sufficient
• Supplier's name and address
• The word invoice (or if a credit, the words credit note)
• Invoice number
• Invoice date
• Value and currency
• Description of goods and services supplied
• BBC purchase order number and PO item number (if applicable)
• Contact details of BBC representative
• Any unique reference number or information requested by the BBC representative

The invoice should be split between the net value of goods and services, the rate and amount of VAT, and the total value of the invoice.

Please note that any invoice which does not comply will be returned to the supplier for resubmission with the correct information.

E-invoicing

In order to improve the efficiency with which we process invoices, we have adopted electronic invoice receipt via the OB10 electronic invoice delivery network, which enables linkage between our suppliers' systems and our own accounts payable system via their e-hub. Advantages include faster processing, reduced postage and printing costs and an end to lost or misplaced invoices. Over 40% of invoices are currently submitted via this system. If you are an existing supplier of the BBC you can find out more by visiting the OB10 website.

Alternatively, suppliers can now create invoices with reference to their purchase orders and monitor their payments through our supplier self-service service. If you are an existing supplier of the BBC and you would like more information please contact us.

Paper-invoicing

A scanned image of all invoices is created so it is important that the invoice is of good quality and easy to read. We recommend that the invoice is on white A4 paper, clearly printed in black and that highlighters have not been used.

It is the BBC's policy that all sums due to its suppliers will become due for payment on the 28th day of the month following the date of the invoice. However, where clauses are agreed which vary the terms of payment, these will be honoured.

Our Terms of Trade also include provision for late payment in accordance with the November 1998 Act of Parliament. The BBC reserves the right to withhold payment where the goods or services have not been provided in accordance with the contract.

We expect our suppliers to pay any sums due to sub-contractors promptly and within a period not exceeding that set out above.

The BBC is an approved signatory of the Prompt Payment Code, a code of practice launched by the Department for Business Enterprise in 2008. See the Prompt Payment Code website for details.

In order to avoid possible delays in payment it is essential that the invoice is in line with the purchase order received from the BBC and the goods and services received. Where these do not match, the invoice will require investigation.

Please be aware of the following when submitting an invoice:

• The invoice must be compliant (see the submitting an invoice section above)
• The invoice must reflect the quantity and price as per the purchase order. Any increase in price or quantity must be pre-agreed with the originator of the order before providing the additional goods or services and an amended purchase order will be provided if agreed
• If the supplier's name and/or address on the invoice is different to that stated on the purchase order the change in details must be confirmed before the invoice can be processed. This can be done by sending a letter on headed paper to BBC Accounts Payable (address as per the purchase order) or by sending a pdf of the letter by email.

Payments are made by Steria, the BBC's provider of financial transaction processing services. Over 95% of invoices are now paid via BACS and we expect new suppliers to be paid by BACS.

Suppliers can check the status of payments using Supplier Self-Service. Find out more about supplier self-service.

For other queries suppliers can contact Steria by:

• email to BBC Accounts Payable; or
• calling 020 7326 9760, option 1, followed by option 2, between 09:00-17:30 Monday to Friday