Accounts Payable (AP) Resources for Growing Companies
Accounts payable (AP) — the procedures involved in paying vendors and suppliers — is a critical process in financial operations. However, AP is also the most time-consuming and labor-intensive of all the finance functions. Organizations looking to scale and grow, or simply operate with greater efficiency, need to identify solutions that automate and streamline the entire payables process.
Here are a few resources to learn more about the evolving role of accounts payable, and the strategic and technological approaches for improving this often maligned function.
Accounts Payable Definition:
Accounts payable is a business function of finance, also known as “AP” tasked with payouts to suppliers and vendors for products procured or services rendered. The AP function can also be referred to as a department in finance or accounting that performs payables activities. Steps in the AP process include onboarding vendors and suppliers to make them “payable,” receiving invoices and approving them or processing them for approval, scheduling and submitting payments, and reconciling payments back to general ledger functions. In recent years, AP software has been instrumental in managing invoices and payments.
Popular Accounts Payable Articles
The Importance of Bill Pay Solutions
Bill pay isn’t the most transparent of processes, but with software automating it, that no longer has to be the case. In fact, the payables process can actually be incredibly strategic in terms of understanding cash flow and liabilities.
How to Get the Most out of Accounts Payable Software
Using AP software that allows mobile on-the-go access is another way to boost AP department productivity. You might find the whole “streamlining your AP workflows” to be a daunting task, but it certainly improves the efficiency of your operations.
The Ultimate Guide to AP Automation
AP automation streamlines all activities performed by the AP department. From the purchasing of products from vendors and suppliers to approving and paying invoices, automation creates efficiency, which translates into higher levels of productivity and a lower cost of invoice processing.
6 Benefits of Accounts Payable Automation
Accounts payable automation benefits are numerous, particularly for companies making business-to-business (B2B) payments. The accounts payable (AP) process serves as a guardian of the funds distributed by a business. Once those funds have been applied to an invoice, they can be extremely difficult to retrieve in instances of double payments, accidental payments, and especially in occurrences of internal fraud.
How to Find the Best Accounts Payable Automation Software
Choosing the best accounts payable automation software starts with identifying your company's unique needs. The scope of your accounts payable (AP) landscape, the size of your company, and system dependencies will all impact which AP software is best for your company.
E-Invoicing: Get More Done In Less Time With Automation
In order to truly understand and appreciate the importance of e-invoicing, it’s vital to grasp the hidden costs of continuing with the manual status quo.
Think OCR invoice processing will speed up your AP workflow?
When you start looking into automating your accounts payable workflow, you’ll notice common features across AP software systems: tax form processing, electronic funds transfers, and of course, OCR invoice processing.
Creating a supplier payments process that scales
You want to integrate as seamlessly as possible with existing accounting and ERP systems. However there are many key steps along the supplier payment process that still require significant manual effort beyond sending out payment instructions to the transfer API for bank, ACH, and wire services.
6 Things to Do When Starting a New Controller Job
As controller, will you be more policy-definer or glorified bookkeeper? Regardless, as the lynchpin between financial planning and finance operations, you can have a major impact. Here are some ideas for creating a splash in your new role.
6 Risks of Ignoring Your Payables’ Check Engine Light
Less than one-quarter of accounts payable departments describe their operations as being highly automated, with few manual processes. Here are the warning signs of payables problems.
Is Accounts Payable Accounts Blamable?
Accounts payable has to react to being a front-line contact with suppliers who didn’t get paid. And when they don’t, the vendor hounds the buyer. Everyone looks to accounts blamable for a reason.
TIN Matching
You want to integrate as seamlessly as possible with existing accounting and ERP systems. However there are many key steps along the supplier payment process that still require significant manual effort beyond sending out payment instructions to the transfer API for bank, ACH, and wire services.