The AP Inflection Point: Automation, AI, and Fraud

Rising fraud attempts, stricter compliance requirements, pressure to reduce operational costs, and the need for real-time data inside ERP systems are forcing finance leaders to rethink how AP processes operate. At the same time, organisations are striving for greater agility in financial decision-making and stronger control over cash flow.

Based on insights from a global survey of finance professionals across North America, Europe, and APAC, this report examines the current state of AP automation and the barriers organisations face when trying to achieve fully automated finance operations.

The research highlights a critical gap between perception and reality. While many organisations believe their AP processes are largely automated, manual intervention, fragmented workflows, and disconnected systems remain widespread. These inefficiencies increase fraud risk, create compliance challenges, and drive unnecessary operational costs.

At the same time, finance leaders are increasingly exploring artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, strengthen fraud detection, and support smarter financial decision-making. However, AI initiatives can only succeed when organisations first address the underlying challenges within their AP processes and data foundations.

By downloading this report, you will:

• Understand the current state of AP automation and the gap between perceived and real automation maturity
• Be clear on the business outcomes expected from AP automation. These include faster financial close and more accurate management reporting, improved cash flow visibility, reliable on-time vendor payments, stronger fraud prevention, and better compliance. Organisations should also recognise the operational risks of manual AP processes, including fraud exposure, compliance gaps, and data duplication.
• Learn how finance leaders can build the foundations for AI-enabled finance by modernising AP processes and integrating automation within ERP systems