In most systems, however, the trigger that causes the liability to be recognized and recorded as an account payable (in our example, a disbursement voucher) is the receipt of the supplier’s invoice, which often lags the receipt of the merchandise. Normally, the time lag between liability realization and recognition does not impact financial reporting. At period-end closing, however, it becomes an issue requiring special attention. Items of inventory received at the end of the audit period, whose related invoice is not received until early into the following period, may not be included as an accounts payable.