Proof in every lineThe short version
| Spreadsheet | Audit firm on contingency | Invoice audit software | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Your time | A share of what's recovered | A monthly subscription |
| Effort each month | Hours per invoice | Low once set up | An upload, then review |
| Checks 3PL fees (pick, pack, storage) | If you build it | Depends on the firm | Depends on the product: many only read carrier invoices |
| Who talks to the 3PL | You | The firm | Usually you, with evidence the software prepares |
| Shows the working | Only what you built | Varies; often a summary | Varies; look for line-level detail |
A spreadsheet
Good when invoices are small and fee names are stable. The hard parts are tiers counted across a month, percentage fees, matching renamed fees, and doing it every month without slipping. If you go this way, see our step-by-step ShipBob audit guide.
An audit firm on contingency
A firm reviews your invoices and keeps a percentage of what it recovers. No upfront cost and no work on your side, but you pay a share of every recovery indefinitely, you may see less of the working, and the firm talks to your 3PL on your behalf. Ask which fees they check: some firms specialise in carrier (parcel) invoices rather than warehouse fees.
Invoice audit software
Software recalculates every line automatically each month. Two questions decide whether a product fits:
- Does it check warehouse fees against your 3PL agreement? Parcel audit tools read carrier invoices (UPS, FedEx and so on) and claim late-delivery refunds. If your 3PL ships on its own carrier accounts, there may be no carrier invoice of yours to audit; the charges you need checked are on the 3PL invoice.
- Can you see why something was flagged? You should be able to see the lines, the rate used and the arithmetic, so you can tell an error from a fee you forgot you agreed to.
Where BillProofs fits
BillProofs is software for the 3PL invoice itself: picks, packs, storage, receiving, surcharges and the rest, checked against the rates you approve. It charges a flat monthly price with no share of recoveries, shows the working for every finding, and prepares evidence you send yourself. It is built for ShipBob exports and reads any 3PL CSV or Excel file. If you'd rather someone else handle the conversation with your 3PL, a contingency firm may suit you better.
Questions
Is contingency auditing cheaper?
It costs nothing upfront, but you pay a share of each recovery. Whether it is cheaper depends on how much is recovered; compare the share against a flat subscription using your own numbers.
Do parcel audit tools check 3PL fees?
Usually not. They focus on carrier invoices. Fulfillment and storage fees on a 3PL invoice need checking against your 3PL agreement.
Can I try BillProofs before paying?
Yes. The free check runs on one invoice with no sign-up, and every plan has a 14-day trial without a card.
More guides: How to audit a ShipBob invoice · Common 3PL billing errors · How to dispute a 3PL invoice · 3PL storage fees explained · Spreadsheet vs firm vs software