If you missed the recent “The 2025 Pulse on B2B Payments” webcast, hosted by Ardent Partners and Finexio, it showcased how accounts payable is evolving from a back-office function into a strategic driver of efficiency, revenue generation, and payment security. Moreover, it’s critical to leverage the latest trends, AI innovations, and risk mitigation strategies to stay ahead. The session featured industry experts Andrew Bartolini, Founder and Chief Research Officer at Ardent Partners, and Ernest Rolfson, Founder and CEO of Finexio, who delved into the transformative trends shaping the landscape of business-to-business transactions.
In this two-part series, we provide some of the webcast highlights, including new research findings that highlight the importance of modernizing payment processes and the strategic value of accounts payable (AP) teams — as well as this link to the full event.
Research and Key Findings
The webcast presentation kicked off with insights from a recently published eBook, “2025 Pulse on B2B Payments,” which surveyed over 200 AP and finance professionals, including senior-level executives from companies of various sizes. According to Andrew Bartolini, Founder and Chief Research Officer for Ardent Partners, the research underscores how accelerating payment processes can create a tangible bottom-line impact.
Bartolini emphasized that despite differences in company size and industry, the AP process reveals universal challenges. The research shows that more than 88% of procure-to-pay (P2P) professionals anticipate a challenging economic environment in 2025 due to high inflation and elevated capital costs. In this context, optimizing cash flow and reducing costs are crucial for business sustainability.
The Importance of Modernizing B2B Payments
Slow payment cycles and manual processes continue to hinder business efficiency, causing delayed revenue, increased working capital requirements, and a poor customer and supplier experience. Bartolini stressed the importance of digital transformation in mitigating these financial challenges. Modernizing B2B payment processes helps businesses better withstand economic volatility.
Interestingly, the research found that 20% of enterprises view their AP teams as exceptionally valuable, acting as a central hub of intelligence and supporting broader business objectives. Another 41% rated their AP teams as very valuable. The pandemic acted as a catalyst for organizations to rethink their approach to AP, pushing many to adopt automation to ensure business continuity.
Despite these advancements, 40% of organizations still operate with outdated, manual processes. Bartolini expressed concern that many companies have yet to capitalize on the benefits of automation, which can lead to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency. AI capabilities are set to enhance these benefits further by providing actionable insights and optimizing financial workflows.
Ernest Rolfson, Founder and CEO of Finexio, highlighted that one of the biggest barriers to automation is change management. Many organizations resist transitioning from manual processes due to concerns about training and system changes. Rolfson argued that embedding electronic payments into existing software systems could alleviate these challenges, offering a seamless transition with minimal disruption.
AP has historically operated in a siloed manner, Bartolini noted, with little strategic oversight. However, the economic environment has changed significantly. The cost of capital has risen, making it essential to manage outflows more effectively. This shift has led to increased involvement from CFOs, with nearly 40% now signing off on AP strategic plans.
Rolfson added that many companies initially did not perceive paper checks as a significant problem, despite their inefficiencies. Upon closer examination, however, it became clear that the real issue was staffing constraints. By adopting automated and embedded payment solutions, organizations can manage growth without needing to increase headcount.
As businesses continue to navigate economic uncertainties, the importance of efficient B2B payment processes cannot be overstated. Both Bartolini and Rolfson remain optimistic about the future, citing positive momentum and increased investment in AP modernization — particularly artificial intelligence (AI). While challenges remain, the benefits of automation, combined with strategic oversight, promise a more resilient and efficient financial landscape for businesses in 2025 and beyond — with AI leading the way in transformative opportunities.
The Rise of AI: Transforming AP Operations and Combating Fraud
The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has positioned itself as a transformative force within AP operations and beyond. Both Bartolini and Rolfson agree, AI is not merely a fleeting trend; it is a significant technological wave poised to reshape enterprise technology.
Historically, few technological advancements have achieved such swift and widespread adoption as AI. Research indicates that by the end of 2025, over three-quarters of AP organizations are expected to integrate some form of AI capabilities. This rapid uptake is unparalleled compared to previous enterprise technology waves, such as the advent of the internet and the transition to cloud computing. The internet revolutionized global markets and communication, while cloud technology expedited innovation and enhanced user experiences. Now, AI stands as the third monumental wave, offering transformative potential in efficiency, intelligence, and user experience.
AI as a force multiplier. AI is viewed as a force multiplier, enhancing efficiency and intelligence across AP processes. Top-performing AP organizations are not merely leveraging technology; they are optimizing its usage to handle high volumes and throughput. As organizations collect and analyze valuable data from processing invoices, AI is providing better guidance for decision-making. This evolution enables businesses to anticipate market and economic shifts more accurately.
Fear of missing out (FOMO) on AI’s capabilities is also driving adoption. Current AI solutions incrementally shave time off tasks and improve intelligence, gradually revolutionizing AP workflows. Organizations must now evaluate the AI capabilities available through their solution providers, understand the development roadmaps, and leverage these tools for competitive advantage.
Companies like Finexio are embedding AI into their workflows to address key AP challenges. From supplier onboarding and invoice matching to risk management and transaction monitoring, AI is providing immediate and tangible benefits. Fintech firms, due to institutional investments, can adopt these technologies more readily than individual corporations. Thus, partnering with technology providers is crucial for corporate enterprises aiming to leverage AI effectively.
Combating fraud with AI. One of the most compelling use cases for AI in AP operations is fraud prevention. According to research, 34% of AP teams have experienced payment fraud attacks in the past year, with projections indicating a rise in such incidents. AI-powered fraud detection systems can identify anomalies and safeguard financial transactions more effectively than traditional methods.
The pandemic exacerbated fraud risks by increasing interactions with unknown trading partners. Meanwhile, fraudsters are exploiting AI to scale their operations, creating fake invoices and sophisticated prompts to infiltrate organizations. Consequently, investing in robust fraud prevention technology is essential to protect financial assets and maintain system integrity.
However, effective fraud prevention extends beyond technology. Companies must collaborate with solution providers that embed real-time fraud monitoring and prevention capabilities. As Rolfson noted, transitioning away from paper checks to digital payments, such as ACH, can significantly reduce fraud risks. However, many organizations still hesitate to make this transition.
The increasing prevalence of deep fakes further underscores the need for advanced fraud prevention tools. Demonstrating the ease of creating deep fakes, Finexio has begun showcasing these risks to clients, emphasizing the importance of sophisticated fraud detection systems.
Embracing change management. The future of AP operations is intrinsically linked to change management. Without technology to manage changes and validate bank account information, organizations remain vulnerable. In an era where voices and images can be cloned in seconds, sophisticated fraud prevention systems are not optional — they are essential.
As AI continues to evolve, its potential to streamline AP operations and enhance fraud prevention is both exciting and daunting. Organizations must act now to embrace these technologies and position themselves for a more secure and efficient future.
Part Two of this series will explore supplier enablement (the Achilles’ Heel of digital payments) and efficiency gains from AI and automation.
