支払い and 精算: making payment and settling the exact amount
Compare paying a price with settling business travel expenses, checking calculation, processing, and actual transfer as separate stages.
The act of paying
支払い, read しはらい, means payment. 商品の支払いは明日行います。 says that payment for the goods will be made tomorrow.
支払いが済んだら、領収書を受け取ってください。 asks someone to collect a receipt once payment is complete. Completed payment is the condition for the following action.
Calculating and settling the actual amount
精算, read せいさん, means calculating the exact amount and settling differences. 出張から戻って、交通費を精算しました。 says that travel expenses were settled after returning from a business trip.
預かったお金と実際の費用を比べて精算します。 says that funds entrusted to the speaker will be compared with actual costs for settlement. 精算 emphasizes calculation and adjustment more than simply paying.
Reading stages within a payment process
精算後に不足分を支払いました。 means that the shortfall was paid after settlement. Determining the correct amount is followed by an additional payment.
精算の手続きは終わりましたが、振り込みは来週です。 says that settlement processing is complete, but the transfer is next week. Check procedure completion and actual payment timing separately.
Has the money already been transferred in 精算の手続きは終わりましたが、振り込みは来週です。?
Show the answer and why
No. Only the settlement procedure is complete; the transfer is stated to be next week.