For logistics leaders and supply chain professionals, freight cost management isn’t just about negotiating carrier rates—it’s about identifying hidden charges, preventing invoice errors, and gaining visibility across your entire shipping operation.
But when your invoices are packed with accessorial charges, incorrect freight classes, or misapplied discounts, staying within budget becomes a daily battle.
Williams & Associates specializes in freight audit and payment solutions that help companies lower shipping costs, eliminate errors, and recover lost dollars. If you're tired of chasing down billing mistakes or handling freight claims caused by misclassification, this guide is for you.
Freight spend is the total amount your company pays to move goods from point A to point B. That includes:
Base shipping rates
Fuel surcharges
Accessorial fees (e.g., liftgate service, residential delivery)
Special handling or limited access charges
Without detailed oversight, these line items can drive up transportation costs quickly. If you're not auditing invoices, you're likely overpaying.
Freight auditing is the process of reviewing and verifying your carrier invoices against your contracted rates. It’s one of the most effective ways to lower freight costs and protect your profit margins.
A professional freight audit partner helps you:
Catch billing errors and overcharges
Ensure compliance with contracted rates
Recover money from incorrect invoices
Gain visibility into spending patterns across carriers and lanes
Williams & Associates delivers this insight through automated systems and expert support—freeing your team from chasing down discrepancies or correcting GL coding mistakes.
Most shippers don’t realize how common freight billing errors really are. The most frequent causes include:
Incorrect freight class assignments
Inaccurate accessorial charges
Unapplied discounts
Clerical errors (e.g., wrong PO, job code, or cost center)
Miscommunication between carriers and billing teams
These errors are easy to miss—and expensive to ignore. Over time, even small discrepancies can result in six-figure freight losses.
Freight classification determines your base rate. If a shipment is misclassified, you’ll be charged more than necessary. Meanwhile, accessorial charges—like inside delivery, reclassification, or detention fees—can inflate your invoice if not carefully reviewed.
Auditing each invoice line-by-line ensures you’re only paying for the services you actually used.
Accurate GL coding enables finance teams to allocate freight costs by product line, department, or customer. It’s essential for budgeting, forecasting, and understanding what’s driving your freight spend.
Williams & Associates ensures accurate coding and full audit trails for every transaction—giving you clear data for better decision-making.
When a shipment is misrouted, delayed, or damaged due to documentation errors or incorrect freight class, it often leads to a freight claim. Our audit process flags potential issues early, helping you avoid costly claims and reduce service failures.
For over 30 years, Williams & Associates has helped companies save time, recover overcharges, and simplify freight accounting. Our freight audit and payment services are designed for busy logistics teams who want results—without adding more work to their plate.
What sets us apart:
78% average recovery rate on billing errors
No upfront costs—only pay when we recover
Hands-on support from experienced freight analysts
Custom reporting, GL support, and carrier communication
If you’re serious about reducing transportation costs, eliminating freight claims, and streamlining your logistics billing, partner with a freight audit expert who can deliver measurable results.
Contact Williams & Associates today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward smarter freight spend management.