Age-sorted hold lists feel fair. The oldest invoice gets attention first. In practice, a thirty-day freight bill for a large amount can matter more to treasury than a ninety-day stationery invoice that nobody is chasing.
A simple ranking rule
Score each hold by open amount, then by whether goods or services were already received. Received-and-unpaid items distort accruals; unreceived items may still be cancelled. Put received high-value holds at the top even if they are younger.
Owners, not just categories
Labelling a hold “price mismatch” is incomplete until you name the buyer who must confirm the new price. During pre-close clear-downs we force an owner column. Without it, the list returns to AP every afternoon unchanged.
What to leave for after close
Low-value duplicates that need vendor correspondence can wait if treasury has already reserved the cash. Document the deferral so internal audit does not treat silence as neglect.
If your hold count is climbing faster than your team can answer, a short clear-down engagement can rebuild the ranking in a few days while your clerks keep posting the clean invoices.