Best Practices

In a world where the speed of business increases moment-by- moment, and new competitors lurk around the next financial statement, it is imperative that enterprises of all sizes take a hard look at how they pay suppliers. The simple fact of the matter is that there is significant untapped value in the financial supply chain, [...]

From a technology adoption perspective, AP leaders for much of the past two decades tended to more often than not focus on how invoices were received, processed, validated, and approved than how they were paid.  However, over the last couple of years this mode of thinking has started to change. More recently, the ramifications of [...]

For over a decade, Ardent Partners has conducted an in-depth market research study of the accounts payable (“AP”) market that leverages a unique framework to highlight the performance of top-tier organizations (which Ardent refers to as the “Best-in-Class”) by analyzing a specific set of benchmark criteria. In each of those years, Ardent Partners defined Best-in-Class [...]

The modern Accounts Payable (“AP”) function sits at a fascinating juncture in its overall evolution: enhance just enough to survive in the years ahead, or, revolutionize its development to truly thrive in the face of the digital enterprise. Following the lead of Best-in-Class AP departments, AP professionals (and their leaders) in most other organizations must [...]

(Editors note: this article, by Andrew Bartolini, originally appeared on CPORISING.COM on October 9th) In the 2020s, the accounts payable (“AP”) profession will continue to gain momentum and impact business operations and results in an increasingly strategic way. The global uncertainty that pervades today’s market indicates the very real threat of a deep economic downturn. [...]

There are many different theories and models that attempt to explain the complex riddle of how and why users adopt technology. One of the best known is the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (“UTAUT”) established by Viswanath Venkatesh and others (and built upon many earlier studies). This model identifies four main factors [...]

According to Ardent’s 2020 State of ePayables market research report, 62% of AP leaders stated that the pandemic did not create a need to invest in automation, as accounts payable processes were “already automated.” The reality, however, is that many AP teams have not fully-adopted and/or optimized their technology. This becomes clear when a deeper [...]

Today we continue our “Key Providers in 2020” series with a focus on apexanalytix. Key Provider in the 2020s – apexanalytix If you think you know apexanalytix (“Apex”), but have not engaged with them in a few years, you have missed quite a bit. [A]pexanalytix started out over 30 years ago in the recovery audit business and, [...]

Due to the rise of business process automation tools, cloud-based applications, mobile solutions, and connected devices permeating the modern business environment, more data is being created each year than ever before. The result is a world that has become increasingly data-driven, and businesses around the globe have an extraordinary opportunity to capitalize on it. The [...]

Every business function faces a rash of challenges relative to its specific operational purpose. For decades, the AP unit resided firmly in the back office, mired in paper-based, manual processes, which limited the value that the function could offer.  In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken many businesses to their core, replacing traditional business structures [...]