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Header total
Header total is the gross invoice amount shown at the invoice level, used to check that line items and tax add up before posting.
Definition
Header total is the invoice-level total shown in the invoice header or summary area, separate from individual line-item amounts. In AP review, the header total should match the gross invoice amount: the net line-item total plus tax. It is commonly used as a control check before an invoice is approved, exported, or posted.
Example
A multifamily AP team receives a plumbing invoice for a property. The line items total $1,200 before tax, sales tax is $96, and the header total should be $1,296; if the header total shows a different amount, the invoice should be corrected before posting.
Why it matters
Header total matters because it helps operations and accounting teams catch invoice mismatches before they create posting errors, approval delays, or downstream rejections. It also clarifies that an invoice-level total alone does not explain how costs should be split across properties, buildings, units, or service periods.