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According to a CEO World Magazine report, AP professionals typically spend about 25% of their workdays on manual tasks. These included typing invoice information, correcting errors, and dealing with inquiries about invoices and payments. 

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To solve this, AP automation or Accounts Payable automation leverages smart software. It takes tedious, time-consuming tasks off your plate, freeing up significant time and resources.

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As per Business Insider estimates, automation accelerates invoice processing cycles by a remarkable 73%. 

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This also translates into significant cost savings for businesses, with invoice automation estimated to save an average of $35,000 annually.

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In this blog post, we will explore:

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• What is AP automation and how it works
• Which AP tasks can be automated
• How to automate your AP process
• Key benefits of AP automation
• Common challenges with manual AP workflows—and how automation solves them

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What is AP automation?

AP automation uses AI-powered tools to digitize invoice processing, match documents, and accelerate approvals. It simplifies accounts payable workflow, from receiving invoices to making timely payments, improving accuracy, speed, compliance, visibility, and control over overall business spend and vendor relationships.

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How Does AP Automation Work? 

AP automation works by digitizing and streamlining the entire accounts payable process, from invoice receipt to payment. It eliminates manual work, improves accuracy, and accelerates approvals using a blend of intelligent technologies and digital workflows. 

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Let’s break down how modern AP automation tools operate behind the scenes: 

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1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI and ML power the brain of AP automation systems. They learn from historical invoice and payment data to improve classification, suggest approval routes, and flag anomalies such as duplicate payments or policy violations. Over time, these systems get smarter and more efficient.  

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2. Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

OCR extracts invoice data from physical or digital documents by converting images or PDFs into machine-readable text. This helps eliminate manual data entry by automatically capturing fields like vendor name, invoice number, dates, and amounts with high accuracy. 

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3. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

RPA bots handle repetitive, rule-based tasks - like validating invoice line items against purchase orders (POs), routing documents for approval, and updating ERP records. This reduces errors and frees up teams to focus on exceptions or strategic tasks. 

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4. Digital Workflow Automation

Digital workflows route invoices through predefined approval chains based on company policies, department budgets, or invoice amounts. Approvers can view, approve, or comment on invoices from anywhere - helping speed up the payment cycle and eliminate bottlenecks. 

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5. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

EDI enables seamless, system-to-system exchange of invoices, purchase orders, and receipts between businesses and their suppliers. This ensures real-time data sharing, reduces processing delays, and improves collaboration with vendors.

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Which Accounts Payable Tasks Can be Automated?

Many time-consuming and error-prone AP tasks can be automated to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and free up finance teams for more strategic work. These tasks typically involve repetitive data entry, validation, and routing. 

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Here are some of the most common AP tasks that can be automated:  

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‒ Invoice Data Capture: Automation tools use OCR and AI to extract key information from digital or scanned invoices. This eliminates manual data entry and ensures accurate data is captured instantly. 

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‒ Invoice Matching (3-Way and 2-Way): Invoices can be automatically matched with purchase orders (PO) and goods received notes (GRN) to ensure consistency. This helps detect mismatches and prevents overpayments. 

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‒ Approval Workflows: Invoices are routed through predefined digital approval chains based on amount, department, or vendor. Automated notifications and escalations ensure timely approvals without delays. 

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‒ Duplicate Invoice Detection: Automation tools flag duplicate invoices or payment requests using advanced logic, preventing errors and reducing fraud risks. 

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‒ Payment Scheduling: Approved invoices can be queued for payment automatically, based on vendor terms, cash flow availability, or early payment discount windows. 

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‒ Audit Trails and Record Keeping: Every action - from data capture to payment - is tracked and stored digitally, enabling real-time visibility, compliance and visibility, compliance, and easier audits. 

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‒ Vendor Onboarding and Data Validation: Automated workflows can verify vendor details like tax IDs, bank information, and compliance documents during onboarding, ensuring your master data is always accurate.

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‒ Tax Calculations and Compliance Checks: Automation tools can validate tax calculations (e.g., VAT, GST) based on location and invoice type, reducing compliance risk and ensuring accurate reporting. 

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‒ Exception Handling: Instead of manual interventions, automation can flag and route exceptions (e.g., pricing mismatches, missing PO) to the right person with context, speeding up resolution. 

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‒ Remittance Notification: Automated systems can send remittance advice to vendors once payments are processed, improving communication and vendor trust. 

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‒ Cash Flow Forecasting: By analyzing invoice due dates, spend trends, and payment patterns, automation tools can help finance teams predict cash outflows and make informed decisions.  

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How to Automate Accounts Payable

Automating your AP process requires the right mix of strategy, tools, and change management. It’s not just about adopting software - it’s about redesigning your workflows for speed, accuracy, and scale. 

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Here are the key steps to automate accounts payable effectively:

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1. Assess Your Current AP Process: Map out your existing AP workflow to identify pain points, bottlenecks, and manual dependencies. Understand which steps are repetitive and rule-based - these are prime candidates for automation. 

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2. Choose the Right AP Automation Tool: Select a platform that offers features like OCR, AI-based invoice capture, approval routing, and ERP integration. Ensure the tool supports your business size, industry needs, and existing finance systems.

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3. Digitize Invoice Intake: Shift all incoming invoices - email, PDF, scanned, or EDI - into a central digital repository. Use OCR and AI to extract invoice data automatically and reduce manual errors. 

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4. Set Up Smart Approval Workflows: Create automated workflows based on invoice type, amount, department, or vendor. Define rules and approval hierarchies to eliminate delays and ensure compliance with internal policies. 

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5. Integrate with ERP or Accounting Systems: Ensure your AP automation system integrates with existing ERPs (like NetSuite, SAP, QuickBooks). This ensures real-time data sync and minimizes double entry.  

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6. Monitor, Optimize, and Scale: Track performance metrics like invoice processing time, approval delays, and payment accuracy. Use insights to optimize the workflow and scale automation to other finance operations.  

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7. Implement Role-Based Access Control: Ensure secure access by setting user roles and permissions. This protects sensitive data and helps maintain a proper approval hierarchy.   

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8. Leverage Machine Learning for Predictive Insights: ML can forecast invoice approval times, vendor payment patterns, or flag unusual transactions. These insights can help optimize payment timing and reduce fraud risk. 

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9. Automate Early Payment Discounts & Penalty Avoidance: Configure your system to track and capture early payment discounts or avoid late payment penalties automatically.  

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10. Create Real-Time Dashboards and Reporting: Use automation tools to build dashboards showing AP aging, pending approvals, vendor performance, and payment schedules - all in real time.

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Benefits of AP automation

Automating your accounts payable process doesn’t just save time - it transforms the entire finance function.  

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Here’s how businesses gain by switching to AP automation:

‒ Faster, Touchless Invoice Processing: Automation tools handle data capture and routing with minimal human involvement. Invoices move through the system quickly - reducing delays and manual effort across the board.  

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‒ All Your Data in One Place: Digitized invoices, approvals, and payment records are stored in a centralized system. This makes it easy to search, audit, and stay compliant without chasing paperwork. 

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‒ Real-Time Spend Visibility: Get instant insights into how much is being spent, with whom, and when. With better visibility, finance teams can manage budgets, forecast expenses, and avoid surprise costs.  

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‒ Stronger Cash Flow Control: Automation ensures timely approvals and payments. This helps avoid late fees, unlock early payment discounts, and gives better control over working capital. 

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‒ Lower Risk of Fraud: Built-in safeguards like duplicate payment checks and audit trails reduce the chances of fraud or unauthorized payments slipping through. 

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‒ Streamlined Supplier Payments: Set payment schedules based on vendor terms or priority. This improves supplier relationships and allows for flexible cash management. 

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‒ Significant Cost Reductions: Less paper, less printing, fewer errors, and faster processing all contribute to major cost savings over time. Businesses can save thousands per year just by eliminating inefficiencies.  

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‒ Better Accuracy Across the Workflow: Automation removes manual data entry and matching, cutting down errors and ensuring consistent, reliable financial records.  

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‒ Boost in Team Productivity: AP team can focus on high-impact activities like vendor negotiation, spend analysis and process improvement. 

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‒ Improved Internal Collaboration: Automation platforms enable multiple departments to access invoice data, status updates, and approvals from anywhere - enhancing transparency and coordination.  

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‒ Capture Early Payment Discounts: Set up your automation tool to flag early payment opportunities. By paying vendors early, you gain discounts and build trust with suppliers.  

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‒ Always Audit-Ready: Digital trails and pre-configured reports make audits faster and less stressful. You’ll always have the right data at your fingertips.

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‍‒ Scalability for Growth: As your business grows, automation scales with you - no need to add headcount to keep up with higher invoice volumes.

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Challenges with Manual AP Processes and How AP Automation Solves Them?

Manual accounts payable workflows are often slow, error-prone, and expensive. As invoice volumes grow, these issues compound - leading to delays, compliance risks, and strained vendor relationships. AP automation helps solve these problems at the root. 

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Here’s a breakdown of common challenges and how automation addresses each: 

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1. High Error Rates from Manual Data Entry

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Challenge: Entering invoice details by hand increases the risk of typos, duplicate entries, and mismatches. 

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Solution: AP automation tools use OCR and AI to extract data with 99%+ accuracy, reducing costly mistakes.  

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2. Delayed Approvals and Missed Deadlines:

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Challenge: Paper-based approvals or manual email chains cause bottlenecks and missed payment dates.  

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Solution: Automated workflows route invoices to the right approvers instantly, with reminders and escalation paths built in.  

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3. Limited Visibility Into Spend:

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Challenge: Scattered invoices and disconnected systems make it hard to see how money is being spent.

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Solution: AP automation centralizes data and provides real-time dashboards, enabling better budget control and forecasting.  

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4. Increased Risk of Fraud:

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Challenge: Manual systems lack checks to catch duplicate or suspicious invoices, leaving room for fraud. 

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Solution: Automation includes fraud detection rules, user access controls, and audit trails that flag inconsistencies early. 

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5. Missed Early Payment Discounts:

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Challenge: Manual delays can prevent businesses from taking advantage of early payment terms. 

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Solution: Automated systems track due dates and process invoices faster - unlocking discount opportunities.

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6. Poor Vendor Relationships:

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Challenge: Late or inconsistent payments can frustrate suppliers and damage trust.

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Solution: Timely, accurate payments through automation strengthen vendor relationships and improve negotiation leverage. 

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7. Scaling Becomes Costly and Inefficient:

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Challenge: As businesses grow, manual AP processes require more people, more time, and more oversight. 

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Solution: AP automation scales easily without adding headcount - making it ideal for high-growth companies.

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5 Strategies to Improve AP Automation 

Boost efficiency and reduce errors in your AP process with these smart automation strategies:
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1. Go Paperless with E-Invoicing: Replace paper invoices with digital formats to speed up processing and cut costs.

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2. Simplify Invoice Handling: Use automation to match invoices with POs and receipts accurately, with minimal manual work.  

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3. Digitize Approvals: Automate approval flows to avoid delays and keep payments on track.

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4. Enable Vendor Self-Service: Let vendors track invoices and update details through an easy-to-use portal.

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‍5. Automate Payment Timelines: ensure timely payments and better cash flow management.

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Top 5 tools for AP automation

Here are the five top cloud-based AP automation software options and their main advantages you should know:
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1. Oracle Netsuite

Oracle NetSuite optimizes cash flow and efficiency in accounts payable. It automates invoice management, calculates discounts, prevents duplicate payments, and provides real-time tracking to minimize lost documents. This powerful tool streamlines accruals, simplifies record retrieval and ensures accurate financial reporting for increased profitability.
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Features:

• Integrated business suite encompassing ERP, CRM, and e-commerce
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• Better payments control
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• Safe storage and quick retrieval of payment records
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• Real-time analytics and reporting
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• Scalable to support growth
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• Offers access to SuiteApps Marketplace to enable seamless integration with other      business software
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Pros:

• Comprehensive integration reduces the need for separate systems
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• Customizable to specific business needs
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• Strong global support and infrastructure
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Cons:

• Can be expensive for small businesses
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• Complex setup and User Interface (UI)
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• Limited customization capabilities
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• Limited customer support
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For pricing, contact Oracle NetSuite support.
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2. Tipalti

Tipalti is a cloud-based SaaS solution that simplifies accounts payable for large and medium-sized businesses. It streamlines onboarding, invoice processing, approval workflows, and global vendor payments in various currencies. This platform reduces workload, improves financial controls, and offers self-managed supplier services for efficient AP management.
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Features:

• Automated end-to-end payables workflow
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• Supplier management
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• Tax compliance
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• Payment reconciliation
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• Self-service supplier onboarding
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• Invoice automation
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• Multiple currency support
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Pros:

• Enhances efficiency and accuracy of the AP process
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• Supports global payments in multiple currencies
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• Robust compliance features
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Cons:

• Can be expensive for smaller operations
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• Lack of immediate image generation feature
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• Limited customizations and delayed updates
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• May require training to leverage all features fully
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• Complex payment processing and tax compliance facilities

     For pricing, contact Tipalti support.
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3. Stampli

Stampli stands out for its real-time invoice processing capability, which automatically uploads invoices for prompt handling. It's the finest user interface (UI) among automation tools, offering simplicity and ease of access. Stampli features a central communication center for quick collaboration and problem-solving with users. Additionally, it supports organizational control through adjustable permissions.

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Features:

• AI-driven smart and accurate invoice capture and coding
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• Integrated communication center
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• Audit ready access
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• Customizable approval workflows
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• Easy-to-use, intuitive AP automation interface and dashboard
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• Multiple device support 
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• Full-365 visibility supported by advanced search and reports
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• ERP integration
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Pros:

• Intuitive user interface
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• Reduces invoice processing time
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• Enhances collaboration and visibility in AP processes
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Cons:

• Limited to invoice management
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• Limited functionality in trial mode
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• May require integration with existing financial systems
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• No feature to seamlessly stamp invoice
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For pricing, contact Stampli support
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4. Procurify

Procurify is a spend management solution that enables organizations to gain better control over their procurement processes. It provides visibility into spending, streamlines approvals, and enhances financial accountability. It also offers features for supplier performance management, invoice processing, AP automation, and integrations with other key systems.
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Features:

• Purchase order management
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• Real-time budget tracking
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• Customizable approval routing
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• Vendor management
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Pros:

• User-friendly interface
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• Offers extensive training materials and resources through its Procurify Academy      knowledge base
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• Uses algorithms and AI enhancements to ensure data accuracy and error detection
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• Promotes proactive spend management
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• Integrates with major accounting software
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Cons:

• Primarily suited for small to medium-sized businesses
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• Onboarding time is extensive, with a 4- to 6-week timeline for lighter implementation and      up to 12 weeks for implementation with NetSuite integration
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• Not vendor-agnostic, as direct order processing requires an integration through the      platform's PunchOuts add-on
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• Complex navigating UI, especially when looking for historical PO data.
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• May require additional training for full utilization
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For pricing, contact Procurify support
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5. Airbase

Airbase is an all-in-one platform for expense management and accounts payable. It simplifies spending management for businesses by handling approvals, payments, finances, and reports in a centralized location. The platform uses OCR and AI to process invoices accurately and make automatic payments.
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Features:

• Consolidated platform for all non-payroll expenses
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• Automated approval workflows
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• Real-time expense tracking and reporting
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• Integrates with major ERP systems
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Pros:

• Provides a single source of truth for spending management
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• Streamlines processes from request to reconciliation
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• Offers a simple UI with effective processes for getting users up to speed
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• Strong customer service department for handling onboarding and user issues
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• Offers strong controls and compliance
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Cons:

• Some reconciliation tools are missing for handling prepaid accounts and amortization      expenses
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• Integration with existing systems can be complex
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For pricing, contact Airbase support.
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How to Choose AP Software

Selecting the right accounts payable software can make or break your automation journey. The ideal solution should match your business needs, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and scale as you grow.  

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Here are the key factors to consider when choosing AP automation software: 

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‒ Ease of Use and User Experience: Look for an intuitive interface that’s easy for both finance teams and occasional approvers to navigate. A clean dashboard and simple workflows reduce training time and boost adoption across teams. 

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‒ Automation Capabilities: Evaluate the depth of automation offered - such as OCR for invoice capture, rule-based approvals, automated matching (PO, invoice, receipt), and duplicate detection. The more automation, the less manual effort required. 

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‒ Integration with ERP and Accounting Systems: The software should connect easily with existing systems like NetSuite, SAP, QuickBooks, or Oracle.  Seamless integration ensures smooth data flow and avoids duplicate entries or sync issues. 

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‒ Customization and Workflow Flexibility: Can the platform adapt to your business rules, approval hierarchies, and payment preferences? Customizable workflows are critical for ensuring compliance and fitting your internal processes.  

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‒ Real-Time Visibility and Reporting: Choose a solution that offers dashboards, KPIs, and reports - so you can track invoice statuses, approval delays, payment cycles, and spending trends in real time. 

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‒ Security and Compliance Features: Make sure the platform offers robust access controls, audit trails, and fraud detection features. Bonus points for tools that help you stay compliant with tax and financial regulations.  

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‒ Scalability and Multi-Entity Support: As your business grows, your AP system should scale with you. Multi-location or multi-entity support is essential for global or expanding organizations. 

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‒ Vendor Management Tools: Look for tools that help with onboarding vendors, validating their tax information, and managing communication - ideally all in one place.  

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‒ Support and Implementation Services: The best software providers don’t just sell tools - they offer onboarding, training, and responsive customer support to help you succeed from Day 1.

‍‒ Cost and ROI Potential: Consider the total ownership cost - not just the subscription fee. Measure this against time savings, error reduction, discount capture, and process improvement to evaluate true ROI.

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Boost your AP process with Spendflo

Outdated, slow manual tasks should be a thing of the past. Forward-thinking businesses know that automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks makes their teams more productive and efficient.

Accounts payable is an excellent area in which to improve processes. AP automation systems are typically:
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• Faster
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• Easier to use
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• Less likely to have errors
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• Cheaper in the long term
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• Helps prevent lost bills or paying fraudulent invoices
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• Handles exceptions when invoices don't match purchase orders
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• Gives real-time updates
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To help you accelerate your AP automation, Spendflo can:
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• Automatically import and check invoices
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• Store important accounts payable (AP) documents in one place, like purchase orders and      invoices
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• Automatically match invoices with purchase orders
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• Use workflows to get and track approvals from managers
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To learn more, book your free demo to get the saving analysis!

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Frequently Asked Questions on AP Automation 

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1. What types of businesses benefit from AP automation?

AP automation is valuable for businesses of all sizes - especially those handling high invoice volumes, multiple vendors, or decentralized teams. It’s particularly useful for finance-led startups, growing mid-sized companies, and enterprises aiming to cut costs and improve process accuracy. 

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2. How does AP automation improve the invoice approval process?

AP automation eliminates manual follow-ups by routing invoices through pre-set approval workflows. Stakeholders receive automatic notifications, and approvals can be completed with a single click - resulting in faster turnaround and fewer delays. 

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3. How does AP automation prevent duplicate payments?

Automation software detects and flags duplicate invoices using vendor details, invoice numbers, and PO references. It prevents the same invoice from being processed more than once reducing the risk of overpayment or fraud. 

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4. Who uses AP automation software?

Finance teams, accounts payable departments, procurement professionals, and CFOs use AP automation tools to manage invoices, track approvals, ensure compliance, and gain visibility into spend. Even business leaders and department heads benefit from automated approval access. 

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5. What is the top AP automation software?

Top AP automation tools include platforms like Stampli, Tipalti, Airbase, and Spendflo, depending on business size and needs. Each offers features like invoice capture, approval workflows, and ERP integration. Explore the top AP tools here.

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6. How can AP automation help improve compliance and reduce fraud?

Automation ensures accurate recordkeeping, enables audit trails, and restricts unauthorized access. It flags suspicious patterns, mismatched payments, or policy violations - helping businesses stay compliant and secure against fraud. 

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7. Can AP automation integrate with other accounting software?

Yes. Most AP automation tools integrate with ERPs and accounting platforms like NetSuite, SAP, QuickBooks, and Oracle, enabling real-time data sync, better visibility, and seamless financial operations. 

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8. What is the ROI for businesses adopting AP automation?

Businesses adopting AP automation often see up to 70–80% time savings, reduced invoice processing costs, fewer late payments, and increased early payment discounts - resulting in substantial ROI within the first year. 

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9. Is AP automation secure?

Yes, modern AP tools use encryption, role-based access controls, and audit logs to ensure financial data is secure. Many also offer compliance with standards like SOC 2 and GDPR. 

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10. How much does AP automation cost?

Costs vary by provider, features, and business size. Basic plans may start at a few hundred dollars per month, while enterprise-grade solutions with full automation and integrations can cost more. ROI often outweighs initial spend. 

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11. What are the advantages of automating the AP system?

Key advantages include reduced manual effort, faster processing, improved accuracy, lower costs, stronger compliance, better vendor relationships, and greater spend visibility - all contributing to smoother finance operations. 

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12. How are invoices processed in AP automation?

Invoices are captured digitally (via OCR or email), validated against purchase orders, routed for approval, and sent for payment - all within a centralized platform. This process is faster, more accurate, and fully trackable. 

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