---
title: "Overview of requests for Payhawk Administrators"
slug: "overview-of-requests-for-administrators"
description: "Get an overview of requests and purchase orders for Administrators: request types, custom fields, approval workflows, and the settings to configure in Payhawk."
updated: 2026-10-19T10:36:25Z
published: 2026-10-19T10:36:25Z
canonical: "payhawk.com/overview-of-requests-for-administrators"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://payhawk.com/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview of requests for Payhawk Administrators

Requests are crucial for ensuring a transparent and organized procurement process, allowing companies to track and control spending effectively. They provide a clear record of requested goods or services, streamlining communication between buyers and suppliers.

> [!TIP]
> For detailed information about the request lifecycle at Payhawk, including stages, available actions, roles, and responsibilities, see the [overview of requests for accountants](https://help.payhawk.com/en/articles/10163215-overview-of-requests-for-accountants#h_07ee4badc1).

## Configuring the request settings

You can configure various settings for the requests and purchase orders (if enabled for your company) in Payhawk.

### Request types

Request types are defined in **Settings** > **Requests** > **Types**. You can [configure specific request types](https://help.payhawk.com/en/articles/12701501-overview-of-request-types) that employees can use when submitting requests, for example, **Software**. Each request type includes a set of default fields, and you can also define custom fields to collect specific information relevant to that type. Additionally, you can associate existing custom fields from the **Fields library** to further tailor the request based on your company’s needs.

### Purchase orders

Purchase orders, if enabled for your Payhawk company account, are defined in **Settings** > **Requests** > **Purchase orders**. You can [configure purchase order details](/help/configuring-purchase-orders-1) such as employee submission rights, purchase request numbering, company logo, and central invoicing email.

### Receipt note

Receipt notes are defined in **Settings** > **Requests** > **Types** > **[Request type]** > **Workflow** > **Receive** step. You can [configure the expense categories for your requests or purchase orders](/help/setting-workflows-for-requests-and-purchase-orders) that will require a receipt note, which will, therefore, trigger a three-way matching for these categories.

### Discrepancy rules

Discrepancy rules are defined in **Settings** > **Requests** > **Types** > **[Request type]** > **Workflow** > **Pay** step. You can [configure rules](/help/setting-workflows-for-requests-and-purchase-orders) that will apply when there's a discrepancy in the requested and received quantities, for example.

## Two- and three-way matching

When the supplier invoice and receipt note (if applicable) are received, the Payhawk system [cross-checks the documents for any discrepancies](https://help.payhawk.com/en/articles/10163215-overview-of-requests-for-accountants#h_109b067d4d).

## Useful resources

- [Setting discrepancy rules for requests](https://help.payhawk.com/en/articles/12701565-setting-discrepancy-rules-for-requests)
- [Approving and declining requests](https://help.payhawk.com/en/articles/8498949-approving-and-declining-requests)