Skip to main content
  • login
  • contact
  • language
    • English
    • Français
    • Español
    • Português
    • Deutsch
    • Italia
    • 简体中文
    • 日本語
  • search
X
GEP Logo GEP Logo
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Customers
    • Partners
    • AI-First at GEP
    • Sustainability at GEP
    • News
    • Events
    • Culture
    • Mission & Vision
    • Awards & Recognition
  • Solutions
    • Software
      • GEP SMART  
        • AI-First Source-to-Pay
        • Procurement Software
        • Product Accessibility
        • Direct Procurement Software
        • Indirect Procurement Software
        • Intelligent Category Management
        • Digital Procurement Transformation
        • Master Data Management
        • AP Automation
        • Spend Management
        • GEP COSTDRIVERS
      • Midsize & High Growth Enterprises  
      • GEP NEXXE  
        • AI-First Supply Chain Management
        • Supply Chain Visibility and Execution
        • Supply Chain Planning
        • Supply Chain Collaboration
        • Supply Chain Control Tower
        • Should-Cost Modeling
        • Inventory and Warehouse Management
        • Direct Material Sourcing
        • GEP Multienterprise Collaboration Network
      • GEP CLICK  
      • GEP MINERVA  
      • GEP BUILD  
      • GEP ASSIST  
      • GEP SPECTRUM XA  
      • GEP GREEN  
      Strategy
      • Procurement Consulting  
        • Procurement Transformation
        • Digital Procurement Transformation
        • Opportunity Assessment
        • M & A Services
        • Strategic Cost Management
        • Supply Risk Management
      • Supply Chain Consulting  
        • Environmental, Social and Governance
        • Socially Responsible Sourcing
        • Supply Chain Strategy
        • Supply Chain Diagnostics
        • Inventory Optimization
        • Network Optimization
        • GEP Total Inventory Management Solution
      Managed Services
      • Procurement Outsourcing  
        • Source-to-Contract
          • Spend Analysis
          • Strategic Sourcing
          • Category Management
          • Supply Market Intelligence
          • Tail-Spend Management
          • Procurement Support Services
        • Procure-to-Pay
          • Cost Recovery & Invoice Auditing
          • Accounts Payable
      • Supply Chain Outsourcing  
        • Planning & Forecasting
        • Inventory Management
        • Logistics Management
        • Supply Chain Data Management
        • Supply Chain Risk Management
  • Industries
    • Automotive
    • Chemicals
    • Consumer Packaged Goods
    • Energy & Utilities
    • Financial Services
    • Government & Nonprofit
    • Industrial Manufacturing
    • Life Sciences
    • Oil & Gas
    • Private Equity
    • Retail
    • Telecommunications, Media & Technology
    • High-Tech
    • Media & Entertainment
    • Software, Social & Platforms
    • Telecom
    • Travel & Hospitality
  • Knowledge Bank
    • Explore by Topic
      • Artificial Intelligence  
      • Digital Transformation  
      • Software & Technology  
      • Strategy & Planning  
      • Operations  
      • Procurement  
      • Sustainability  
      • Inflation Strategies  
      Explore by Type
      • White Papers  
      • Research Reports  
      • Bulletin  
      • Case Studies  
      • Webcasts  
      • Blogs  
      • Podcasts  
      • Insights From the Top  
      • Glossary  
      Global Supply Chain Volatility Index

      Latest Insight

      Navigating shifts Read More  

      Rethinking Supply Chains for Greater Efficiency, Resiliency, and Sustainability Read More  

  • Careers
    • Join Us
    • GEP Per Se
    • Campus Connect
  • Partners
   
  • GEP Software ›
    • GEP Software
    • ‹ Back
      • GEP SMART ›
        • GEP SMART
        • ‹ Back
          • AI-First Source-to-Pay
          • Procurement Software
          • Direct Procurement Software ›
            • Direct Procurement Software
            • ‹ Back
              • Bill of Materials Management
              • Data Analytics & Reporting
              • Inventory Management
              • Master Data Management
              • Quality Management
              • Supplier Collaboration Portal
              • Supply Chain Operations
          • Indirect Procurement Software ›
            • Indirect Procurement Software
            • ‹ Back
              • Source-to-Contract
              • Spend Analysis
              • Savings Project Management
              • Category Management
              • Contract Management
              • Savings Tracking
              • Sourcing
              • Supplier Management
              • Procure-to-Pay
              • Guided Buying
              • Procurement Portal
              • Catalog Management
              • Order Processing
              • Invoice Management
          • Intelligent Category Management
          • Digital Procurement Transformation
          • Spend Management
          • Master Data Management
          • AP Automation
          • Product Accessibility
          • GEP COSTDRIVERS
          • Midsize & High Growth Enterprises
      • GEP NEXXE ›
        • GEP NEXXE
        • ‹ Back
          • AI-First Supply Chain Management
          • Supply Chain Visibility and Execution ›
            • Supply Chain Visibility and Execution
            • ‹ Back
              • Inventory and Warehouse Management
              • Logistics Visibility
              • Control Tower
          • Supply Chain Planning ›
            • Supply Chain Planning
            • ‹ Back
              • Supply Chain Control Tower
              • Should-Cost Modeling
              • Demand Planning
              • Supply Chain Bill of Materials
              • Supply Chain Direct Sourcing
              • Supply Planning
          • Supply Chain Collaboration ›
            • Supply Chain Collaboration
            • ‹ Back
              • Forecast Collaboration
              • Purchase Order Collaboration
              • Quality Collaboration
              • Capacity Collaboration
              • Quality Management Software
          • Supply Chain Control Tower
          • Should-Cost Modeling
          • Inventory and Warehouse Management
          • GEP Multienterprise Collaboration Network
      • GEP CLICK
      • GEP MINERVA
      • GEP BUILD
      • GEP ASSIST
      • GEP SPECTRUM XA
      • GEP GREEN
      • Innovation ›
        • Innovation
        • ‹ Back
          • Emerging Technologies
          • Native to Cloud
          • Native to Mobile
          • One Unified Platform
          • Security
          • User-Centric Design
  • GEP Strategy ›
    • GEP Strategy
    • ‹ Back
      • Procurement Consulting ›
        • Procurement Consulting
        • ‹ Back
          • Procurement Transformation ›
            • Procurement Transformation
            • ‹ Back
              • Procurement Strategy
              • Org. Design & Implementation
              • Capability Building
              • Change Management
              • Governance & Performance
              • Processes & Policies
              • S2P Operations
              • Sourcing & Category Management
              • Technology
          • Digital Procurement Transformation
          • Opportunity Assessment
          • M&A Services ›
            • M&A Services
            • ‹ Back
              • M&A Clean Room
          • Strategic Cost Management ›
            • Strategic Cost Management
            • ‹ Back
              • Zero-Based Budgeting
          • Supply Chain Risk Management
      • Supply Chain Consulting ›
        • Supply Chain Consulting
        • ‹ Back
          • SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE
          • Environmental, Social and Governance
          • Socially Responsible Sourcing
          • Scope 3
          • PLAN
          • Digital Planning, S&OP, S&OE
          • Collaborative Planning
          • PROCURE
          • Source To Contract
          • Procure To Pay
          • MAKE
          • Inventory Strategy & Management
          • Operations & Manufacturing Excellence
          • GEP Total Inventory Management Solution
          • DELIVER
          • Network Strategy & Optimization
          • Warehousing & Transportation Management
  • GEP Managed Services ›
    • GEP Managed Services
    • ‹ Back
      • Procurement Outsourcing ›
        • Procurement Outsourcing
        • ‹ Back
          • Source-to-Contract
          • Spend Analysis
          • Strategic Sourcing ›
            • Strategic Sourcing
            • ‹ Back
              • MRO
              • CAPEX
              • Logistics
              • Packaging
              • IT & Telecom
              • Energy
              • Direct Materials
          • Category Management ›
            • Category Management
            • ‹ Back
              • Contract Management
              • Supplier Performance Management
              • Savings & Compliance Tracking
          • Supply Market Intelligence
          • Tail-Spend Management
          • Procurement Support Services ›
            • Procurement Support Services
            • ‹ Back
              • eSourcing
              • Supplier Performance Management
              • Savings & Compliance Tracking
              • Sourcing Support
          • Procure-to-Pay
          • Cost Recovery & Invoice Auditing
          • Accounts Payable
      • Supply Chain Outsourcing ›
        • Supply Chain Outsourcing
        • ‹ Back
          • Planning & Forecasting
          • Inventory Management
          • Logistics Management
          • Supply Chain Data Management
          • Supply Risk Management
  • Industries ›
    • Industries
    • ‹ Back
      • Automotive
      • Chemicals
      • Consumer Packaged Goods
      • Energy & Utilities
      • Financial Services
      • Government & Nonprofit
      • Industrial Manufacturing
      • Life Sciences
      • Oil & Gas
      • Private Equity
      • Retail
      • Telecommunications, Media & Technology
      • High-Tech
      • Media & Entertainment
      • Software, Social & Platforms
      • Telecom
      • Travel & Hospitality
  • Knowledge Bank ›
    • Knowledge Bank
    • ‹ Back
      • Explore by Topic ›
        • Explore by Topic
        • ‹ Back
          • Artificial Intelligence
          • Digital Transformation
          • Operations
          • Procurement
          • Software & Technology
          • Strategy & Planning
          • Sustainability
          • Inflation Strategies
      • Explore by Type ›
        • Explore by Type
        • ‹ Back
          • Insights From the Top
          • White Papers
          • Research Reports
          • Bulletins
          • Case Studies
          • Webcasts
          • Blogs
          • Podcasts
          • Glossary
      • Global Supply Chain Volatility Index
  • Company ›
    • Company
    • ‹ Back
      • About Us
      • Leadership
      • Customers
      • Partners
      • AI-First at GEP
      • Sustainability at GEP
      • News
      • Events
      • Culture ›
        • Culture
        • ‹ Back
          • GEP Core Values
          • Women@GEP
          • Diversity
          • GEP Cares
      • Mission & Vision
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Contact Us
  • Global Presence ›
    • Global Presence
    • ‹ Back
      • Americas ›
        • Americas
        • ‹ Back
          • English
          • Español
          • Portugués
      • Europe ›
        • Europe
        • ‹ Back
          • English
          • Deutsch
      • Asia-Pacific ›
        • Asia-Pacific
        • ‹ Back
          • English
          • 中文
      • Middle East ›
        • Middle East
        • ‹ Back
          • English
          • العربية
  • Contact Us
  • Careers ›
    • Careers
    • ‹ Back
      • GEP Per Se
      • Campus Connect
  • Language ›
    • Language
    • ‹ Back
      • English
      • Français
      • Español
      • Deutsch
      • Italia
      • Português
      • 简体中文
      • 日本語
  • BLOGS
  • Strategy
  • Technology
  • MIND
Contact Us
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Breadcrumb

  1. HOME
  2. BLOG
  3. TECHNOLOGY
  4. WHY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE NEEDS AI AND AUTOMATION
Blog Image

Why Accounts Payable Needs AI and Automation

  • AI can automate most of the routine, time-consuming tasks that are manually performed by accounts payable.
  • It can also streamline the workflow and expedite invoice processing and approval, eliminating the possibility of payment delays.
  • The use of AI enhances efficiency and enables accounts payable teams to focus on strategic, value-adding tasks.

September 12, 2023 | Accounts Payable

There is no better example of siloed processes and technology roadblocks in the back office than in accounts payable. Manual processing and approvals, legacy systems and outdated practices have left the function way behind several other technology-driven functions.

Even today, accounts payable in many businesses has a slow, error-prone invoice-to-payment lifecycle, which leads to payment delays and missed savings opportunities. Lack of transparency leaves suppliers frustrated as they often have to chase a business to get their payment.

The entire process makes it challenging for accounts payable to effectively manage supplier relationships, especially as they have to share this responsibility with procurement. Both teams often engage in a blame game when a payment is missed or delayed. This can hurt relationships with key suppliers, which, in turn, can hamper business growth.

In organizations that have started to use digital invoices, there is still the time-consuming task of matching invoices to purchase orders.

Thankfully, there is a realization that things need to change.

Up to 69% of accounts payable and finance leaders believe the function needs smarter systems that drive more efficiencies, according to a survey by Ardent Partners. 60% of the survey respondents believe invoice and payment approvals take too long, while 48% of respondents blame the high percentage of exceptions for the delays.

So, how can the adoption of technology address these challenges?

How Technology Can Transform Accounts Payable

The biggest advantage of deploying technology in accounts payable is automation. AI-powered technology can work in tandem with optical character recognition to scan, ingest and extract the most relevant data from invoices such as vendor details, invoice numbers and amounts. It can verify invoices by matching supplier information to vendor master data.

It can also match invoices to original purchase orders and negotiated prices, thereby increasing accuracy and eliminating the time-consuming task of invoice processing. Automated invoice matching also helps create a verifiable, end-to-end audit trail. Auditors can thus track the entire history of how and when an invoice was processed and approved.

Advanced AI technology can detect duplicates, reject bad invoices and auto-route invoice mismatches for resolution. It can also help prevent fraud by carrying out invoice data validation and hygiene checks. Advanced payment controls such as two-factor authentication minimize the possibility of unauthorized payment.

Combine these capabilities with machine learning algorithms, which can get smarter with use and detect patterns in a high-volume invoice operation. This helps to improve the system’s accuracy by learning from past experiences.

Automation can also streamline accounts payable workflow and approval processes that involve multiple stakeholders. It can expedite payment approvals by digitally routing invoices to concerned approvers based on predefined rules. If there is a chance of a payment getting delayed, it can send automated reminders for outstanding payments and approvals. This can speed up invoice processing, reduce the cycle time and improve cashflow management.

Also Read: Accounts Payable Can Finally Be Paper-, Error-, And Touch-Free With AI-Powered Automation

Lowers Cost, Reduces Exceptions

Studies suggest that accounts payable (AP) automation makes a lot of business sense. Invoice processing costs go down significantly when processes are automated. In fact, individual invoice costs can be reduced by a whopping 76% on average, according to the Ardent Partners survey. Apply this to thousands of invoices processed by the function over a year to estimate potential savings.

Yes, there will still be some exceptions that will require human intervention. But automating processes will significantly reduce their number. The above-mentioned study suggests companies using AP automation have a third of the exceptions of their non-automated peers. And with this reduction, a business can realize savings and get back some time that can be spent on value-adding tasks.

With real-time visibility of invoices, all payments can be made on time. Early payment discounts can be availed to realize savings. Increased process transparency helps build trust and strengthens supplier relationships.

The application of AI is not merely limited to automation and invoice processing. AI-powered chatbots can simplify day-to-day operations by providing instant access to information. These virtual assistants can also answer common queries related to invoice payment and vendor details.

AI enhances the capability to accommodate the different ways in which AP teams operate in different regions. It can tackle different forms of variability such as regional taxes and compliance rules.

AI can also be combined with analytics to translate all accounts payable data into actionable insights, which can then be used to improve productivity and make informed decisions. It can derive spend analysis and insights and share these with stakeholders across different lines of business.

Further, there is growing realization that AI can be used to streamline both accounts payable and procurement. Technology can transform the entire procure-to-pay cycle, increase spend under management and help both functions work seamlessly.

Also Read: 6 Ways Automation Makes Life Easy for Accounts Payable Teams

Conclusion

By automating routine manual tasks, AI can simplify accounts payable operations, eliminate human error and enable the team to focus on strategic, value-adding tasks such as budget control and compliance. When fully utilized, technology can transform accounts payable from a back-office function to one that contributes to achieving business goals and objectives.

 

Tags: Accounts payable automation

Add Comment +

FEATURED POST

...
Inventory Management Software

Achieving Supply Chain Resilience With Total Inventory Management Solution

...
Supply Chain Strategy

Sodium-ion vs. Lithium-ion Battery: Which is a Better Alternative?

...
Supply Chain Strategy

3 Best Practices to Tackle Inflation in Supply Chain Network Design

    BLOG CATEGORIES

  • Procurement Software
  • Supply Chain Software
  • Inventory Management Software
  • Accounts Payable
  • Source to Pay
  • Contract Management
  • Mobile and Cloud
  • Operations
  • Spend Management
  • Spend Analysis
  • Supplier Management Technology
  • Purchasing
  • Sourcing Technology
  • Procure to Pay

TAGS

sustainability
Procurement Software
supply chain strategy
Inflation
Russia-Ukraine War

By checking the box below, you consent to GEP using your personal information to send you thought leadership content – such as white papers, research reports, case studies – and other communications. GEP representatives may contact you to provide additional information or answer questions.

If at any point in time you decide to withdraw your consent, you may unsubscribe by emailing your request to us at privacy@gep.com.

Please refer to the GEP Privacy Statement to understand how we manage and protect your personal information.

Terms of Use | Privacy Statement

Contact Us

Ask Us

Send us your question(s)

RFP

Request for a business proposal

Feedback

Share your thoughts, comments and suggestions

Demo

Schedule a live demo of our software

Discover
STRATEGY
Strategy
  •   Procurement Consulting
  •   Digital Procurement Transformation
  •   Strategic Cost Management
  •   Opportunity Assessment
  •   Supply Chain Risk Management
  •   Supply Chain Consulting
  •   Supply Chain Strategy
  •   Supply Chain Diagnostics
  •   Inventory Optimization
  •   Procurement Transformation
  •   Sustainability and ESG Consulting
SOFTWARE
Software
  •   Procurement Software
  •   Supply Chain Software
  •   Source-to-Contract
  •   Procure-to-Pay
  •   Supply Chain Planning
  •   Supply Chain Collaboration
  •   Supply Chain Visibility & Execution
  •   Supply Chain Control Tower
  •   Should-Cost Modeling
  •   Inventory & Warehouse Management Software
  •   Source-To-Pay Software
  •   Midsize & High Growth Enterprises
MANAGED SERVICES
Managed Services
  •   Procurement Outsourcing
  •   Strategic Sourcing
  •   Tail-Spend Management
  •   Category Management
  •   Procurement Support Services
  •   Supply Chain Outsourcing
  •   Supply Chain Planning & Forecasting
  •   Inventory Management
  •   Logistics Management
COMPANY
Company
  •   About Us
  •   Leadership
  •   Customers
  •   Sustainability at GEP
  •   Careers
  •   News
  •   Awards
  •   Partners
  •   Contact Us

Fresh Insights, Now on Your Phone

  • GoGEP app on Apple App Store
  • GoGEP app on Google Play Store
Stay Connected
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Latest Tweets

© Copyright GEP 2023. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Cookie Policy |   | Quality Policy | GEP Logo