The Rise of AP Professionals – from paper pushers to profit maximizers

The role of an Accounts Payable (AP) person is central to the financial stability and operational efficiency of an organization. AP specialists are responsible for meticulously managing the company’s payables, which includes processing invoices, verifying the accuracy of bills, and ensuring that payments to vendors and suppliers are made promptly.

They play a critical role in maintaining strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable terms, and resolving any payment discrepancies. Additionally, AP personnel must adhere to financial regulations and internal controls, safeguarding the company against fraud and compliance risks. Thus, AP professionals contribute significantly to the organization’s fiscal health and reputation in the business community.

This demands thorough attention to detail, financial acumen, and commitment to efficient processes from them. For construction companies in particular, the sheer volume and complexity of transactions is such that facilitating the role of the AP personnel through automation has become non-optional. Increasing efficiency and reducing errors aside, automation allows millions to be saved in the way of rectifying mistakes as well as in terms of labor costs. Furthermore, it opens up a world of possibilities for an organization when human intelligence is focused on value generation instead of mundane data entry tasks.

This article discusses the significance of elevating the role of these key personnel – crucial to an organization’s success – and how to bring about this change.

Strategies to Elevate the Role of the AP Person

The most essential strategy to elevate the AP process in the evolved business landscape of today is automation.

Automation and Technology

Accounts Payable (AP) automation holds the key to elevating the role of AP personnel within an organization. By harnessing the power of technology, AP automation transforms AP professionals from data entry clerks into strategic contributors to the company’s financial success. This transformation occurs through several key mechanisms.

Firstly, automation eliminates the drudgery of manual invoice processing, allowing AP staff to redirect their efforts toward more analytical and value-added tasks. Secondly, it enhances accuracy and reduces the risk of errors, ensuring that financial data remains reliable. Thirdly, AP automation streamlines workflow processes, enabling faster invoice approval and payment cycles.

As a result, AP personnel focuses on optimizing vendor relationships, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and providing valuable financial insights. In essence, AP automation empowers AP professionals to become critical players in the organization’s financial strategy, contributing to increased efficiency, cost savings, and ultimately, business growth.

One experienced CFO says the following:

“I met a gentleman at the CFMA Conference who has an Accounts Payable/Receipts automation solution leveraging AI instead of OCR.? I have implemented TimberScan in conjunction with Sage 300 CRE in past positions. The time savings were tremendous.? Hand-entering accounts payable is not a value add to the process.? Having our accounts payable person review in detail the invoices that came in, and then routing them for approval, once satisfied, elevated her position to one of huge value add.? Automated AP and receipts are also a huge value add to contractors doing audited jobs.? The invoices are assembled for the job electronically and emailed to the GC or owner in minutes, instead of hours, all while virtually eliminating the possibility of errors.

I can also see the entire population of invoices, and how long they have been at each station at any given time.? All this makes AP automation a no-brainer.

TimberScan uses OCR technology, which is 70-85% effective.? AI can be trained to read handwritten notes, so it is even more efficient than OCR.? AI also makes receipt tracking and importing a breeze.

AP automation is such a low-hanging fruit, that I plan to look for a solution next year.”

Training and Skill Development

Invest in training and development programs for the AP staff to enhance their skills and knowledge of financial processes, accounting software, and industry best practices.

Cross-Training

Cross-train AP staff in related areas such as procurement, vendor management, and financial analysis. This enhances their versatility and helps them understand the broader context of their work.

Vendor Relationship Management

Empower AP personnel to build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, negotiate better payment terms, and resolve any issues promptly.

Policy and Procedure Improvements

Review and update AP policies and procedures regularly to ensure they align with best practices and support the organization’s goals.

Process Efficiency

Continuously improve AP processes to reduce manual work and bottlenecks. Implement process mapping and optimization techniques.

Cost Reduction Initiatives

Task AP personnel with identifying cost-saving opportunities, such as early payment discounts, optimizing payment timing, and identifying duplicate invoices. A key element to acquiring these benefits is managing financial statements and getting accurate P&L.

Compliance and Risk Management

Ensure that AP personnel are well-versed in compliance with regulations related to tax, accounting, and vendor contracts. Understanding risk management in construction finance is critical for financial decision-makers.

Develop risk mitigation strategies and train staff on fraud detection and prevention.

Reporting and Analytics

Provide AP staff with tools to generate insightful reports that can help management make data-driven decisions.

Encourage AP staff to analyze spending patterns and suggest cost-saving measures.

Recognition and Career Advancement

Recognize and reward AP staff for their contributions and achievements.

Create a clear career path for AP personnel, offering opportunities for advancement within the finance department or the organization as a whole.

Communication and Collaboration

Foster communication and collaboration between AP and other departments like procurement, finance, and IT to ensure a seamless financial operation.

Encourage AP staff to share their insights and ideas with other departments.

Continuous Learning

Encourage AP personnel to stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and emerging technologies through seminars, webinars, and industry conferences.

Performance Metrics

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for AP personnel to measure their performance and track improvements over time.

Feedback and Recognition

Provide regular feedback and recognition for AP staff’s accomplishments to boost morale and motivation.

Benefits of Enhancing the Role of the AP Personnel

Elevating the role of an Accounts Payable (AP) person within an organization can yield several significant advantages:

Improved Financial Efficiency

An empowered and well-trained AP team streamlines processes, reducing the time and effort required to process invoices and make payments. This efficiency leads to cost savings and increased cash flow.

Enhanced Vendor Relationships

When AP personnel have the authority and skills to negotiate with vendors and resolve issues promptly, it leads to better vendor relationships. Strong vendor relationships result in favorable payment terms, discounts, and improved collaboration.

Reduced Errors and Fraud

Elevated AP roles often involve implementing automation and advanced software solutions. This reduces the likelihood of manual errors in invoice processing and helps in fraud detection and prevention.

Cost Savings

An AP team that actively looks for cost-saving opportunities, such as early payment discounts and identifying duplicate invoices, directly contributes to the organization’s cost-reduction efforts.

Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Well-trained AP professionals are more likely to be aware of and adhere to financial regulations and internal controls. This reduces the risk of compliance violations and financial irregularities.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

AP staff with advanced skills provide valuable insights through data analytics and reporting. This assists management in making informed financial decisions and optimizing spending patterns.

Career Development and Employee Satisfaction

Elevating the role of AP personnel offers career advancement opportunities and recognition. This boosts morale and job satisfaction, leading to a more motivated and committed workforce.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Empowered AP professionals collaborate effectively with other departments like procurement, finance, and IT. This fosters a more cohesive and efficient financial operation within the organization.

Adaptability to Change

As technology and financial regulations evolve, having an AP team with elevated roles ensures the organization adapts to changes quickly and effectively.

Overall Financial Health

Elevating the AP role contributes to the overall financial health of the organization. It helps ensure that the company’s finances are managed efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with industry standards, which, in turn, can enhance the organization’s reputation and financial stability.

AP Automation and Being Humans

Elevating the role of an organization’s AP person involves a combination of investment in training, technology, process improvements, and a culture that values their contributions to the financial health of the organization. It’s a holistic approach that positively impacts the organization’s bottom line and competitiveness in the market.

Being Humans, our AP automation company is dedicated to transforming the Accounts Payable function for construction companies. By implementing our advanced automation solutions, we not only streamline the AP process but also elevate the role of AP personnel to become strategic partners in the financial success of these companies.

Our commitment to efficiency, accuracy, and compliance empowers AP professionals to focus on value-driven tasks, ultimately contributing to cost savings, improved vendor relationships, and enhanced financial health.

With Being Humans at their side, construction companies navigate the complexities of their industry with greater ease, ensuring that their AP department plays a pivotal role in achieving sustainable growth and success.