Key Trends for Accounts Payable in 2025
Change is hard, but also full of opportunity. When it comes to Accounts Payable (AP) automation and payment processing, we are seeing significant disruption and transformation due to evolving business needs and rapid technological advances such as Machine Learning (ML), AI, and Robot Process Automation (RPA).
Depending on your perspective, these shifts may feel intimidating, exciting, or both! In our over 30 years of working with and supporting Accounts Payable departments, we have become familiar with embracing change and continual learning as a pathway to growth and new possibilities.
Is your business experiencing tension around technology, outdated practices, or heavy workloads? Or are you excited about what's new? We invite you to explore with us some of the key trends and shifts in AP that are leading the way in 2025.
Let’s discover how embracing some of the latest technologies can support your business payments and wellbeing this year!
AP Automation: Automation has played an increasingly significant role in Accounts Payable in recent years. With ongoing advancements, its scope and possibilities continue to expand. With automation, AP teams can enjoy a range of benefits including reduced manual tasks, fewer errors, and increased security with cloud-based solutions. Additionally, automation can improve scalability, making processes more streamlined than ever. As workloads continue to increase, utilizing automation throughout your payment processes may also significantly reduce turnover and burnout for AP team members.
Enhanced Supplier Portals: An increase in self-service supplier portals is helping to create greater efficiency by empowering suppliers to independently send invoices, track payments, and resolve errors quickly. From the AP perspective, these enhanced portals support greater compliance and reduced risk through the implementation of automated checks and document verification. Suppliers and AP departments alike can enjoy a range of benefits including improved accuracy, reduced payment delays, and an increase in transparency. In addition, many portals also support analytics and reporting features that provide insight into payment trends and supplier performance.
Integration with ERP systems: Integration of Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) within ERP systems like Microsoft D365 Business Central (BC) is helping to streamline AP processes with seamless automation that supports more efficient financial workflows and payment systems. Taking this a step further, solutions like the Mekorma Payment Hub are fully embedded within the ERP, allowing BC or GP users to benefit from enhanced payment features and solutions without the need to leave the ERP or learn an additional software system.
Advanced Analytics & Reporting: By taking advantage of advanced analytics and reporting to assess financial data, businesses can now make even more informed and strategic decisions around AP workflow optimization. Advanced analytics tools offer in-depth insight into spending patterns, payment cycles, and supplier performance.
Eco-Friendly Initiatives: For many organizations, supporting sustainability solutions and reducing their carbon footprint is a growing priority. If you are looking to reduce paper usage, solutions like electronic invoicing, remittance overflow, and Remote Payment Services (RPS) offer a welcome shift to support both the planet and business operations. Eco-Friendly solutions may even decrease costs or, in the case of RPS, provide an alternate revenue stream for businesses who implement these solutions.
Real-Time Payments: With automation has come an increase in demand for speed and efficiency. Real-time cloud-based payment solutions like RPS may offer instant funds transfers, supporting easier cash flow management and positive vendor relationships. When your business is able to meet payment obligations quickly, this can strengthen partnerships with suppliers and even support early-payment discount opportunities.
Mobile/Remote Friendly AP Solutions: In recent years, mobile accessibility has become increasingly crucial for AP departments and organizations as a whole. Mobile apps and integrations such as Power Approvals, allow staff to easily approve invoices, track payments or resolve issues on the go. Mobile-friendly AP solutions also support hybrid or remote working models and empower teams to enjoy more flexibility while staying responsive and supporting healthy financial operations. With Mobile-Friendly AP solutions, your team can benefit from the ability to respond to real-time updates, approve invoices, or track payment statuses from anywhere.
AI-Driven Processes & Solutions: By automating data extraction, invoice matching, predictive analytics, AI is transforming Accounts Payable from start to finish. AI solutions help to reduce operational expenses, support easier and more efficient payment processing, and maximize fraud prevention (e.g. our Vendor Validation solution). Utilizing AI-Driven solutions to support your AP workflows will allow your team to allocate resources more strategically, reduce mistakes, and enhance reliability and relationships.
As technology continues to evolve, Accounts Payable solutions will likely continue to adapt and shift toward greater security and efficiency. While these changes can seem daunting, they are creating opportunities for increased job satisfaction among AP employees and supporting more efficient, error free, and secure payment processing.
At Mekorma, we look forward to continuing to explore how technological innovation can bring more ease and greater control to your processes.
If you’re unsure about how to get started with implementing changes to your AP department, we’d love to help! Book a call with one of our experts today.
