A brand new examine from American Specific reveals that almost all of companies need to enhance their funds processes in 2025, with automation rising as a key focus. The Amex Trendex: B2B Funds Version survey, which polled 1,000 U.S. enterprise decision-makers, highlights the function of streamlined funds in enterprise development, provider relationships, and operational effectivity.
Key Findings
In keeping with the examine, 91% of enterprise decision-makers acknowledge that “straightforward, streamlined and safe funds drive enterprise development.” Nonetheless, regardless of this acknowledgment, solely 17% of companies surveyed have totally automated their funds processes, whereas 15% haven’t automated any funds in any respect.
Late or gradual funds have additionally had a tangible affect on enterprise relationships, with 26% of respondents citing fee delays as a motive they’ve stopped working with a purchaser or provider. Moreover, 4 in 5 enterprise leaders (82%) indicated {that a} single fraud incident may considerably affect belief of their enterprise relationships.
The Advantages of Funds Automation
Automation in funds processing gives companies a number of benefits, together with enhanced money circulation visibility, safer transactions, and elevated operational effectivity.
“Funds optimization is just not all the time appreciated for its constructive affect on relationships between patrons and suppliers and total enterprise success,” stated Widad Chaoui, Senior Vice President, Company and B2B Options Product Administration, World Business Providers, at American Specific. “Automated fee strategies like digital playing cards or digital push funds drive more money circulation visibility, safer transactions, and higher relationships. In addition they give companies larger working capital flexibility, enabling them to put money into transferring their enterprise ahead.”
Enterprise leaders acknowledge these benefits, with 29% of survey respondents stating they might “sleep higher at evening” if they didn’t have to fret about fee accuracy and timeliness. Nonetheless, perceived obstacles proceed to forestall many firms from totally embracing automation.
Challenges to Automation Adoption
Regardless of its advantages, the survey discovered that considerations round value (45%), lack of perceived profit (28%), and safety dangers (26%) are among the many predominant causes companies have but to implement full funds automation.
“Typically, it may possibly really feel like a frightening job for enterprise leaders to alter their fee processes from handbook to automated, even when the present handbook method presents challenges, is inadequate, and poses dangers,” stated R.J. Ancona, Vice President and Common Supervisor, B2B Product, Partnerships and Shopper Administration, Service provider Providers at American Specific. “However the actuality is that the time and price related to automation might be simpler to implement than anticipated, and may profit companies in each the brief and future.”
Automation as a Development Technique
The examine discovered that 95% of enterprise decision-makers imagine “straightforward, streamlined, and safe funds create glad prospects.” In 2025, 43% of these planning to alter their funds processes cite enterprise development as their main motivation.
American Specific identifies a number of key automated options that companies can undertake to enhance their funds processes:
- Automated AP (Accounts Payable) and AR (Accounts Receivable) software program options – Scale back errors, save money and time, and improve money circulation effectivity.
- Straight-through processing for static and digital playing cards – Totally digital processing with out handbook steps.
- EIPP (Digital Bill Presentment and Fee) – Streamlined digital invoicing and fee acceptance.
- Digital Push Funds – Transactions initiated by the payer for larger management over fee timing and vacation spot.
As companies look to enhance effectivity and strengthen relationships with suppliers and patrons, automation is anticipated to play a vital function in shaping funds methods. The survey means that whereas challenges stay, the shift towards automated funds may drive vital advantages for companies within the coming 12 months.
The Amex Trendex B2B Funds Version survey was carried out on-line by Opinium Analysis on behalf of American Specific between December 9, 2024, and January 2, 2025. The survey included 1,000 enterprise decision-makers throughout numerous industries, chosen primarily based on their duty for monetary providers, accounting, banking, or enterprise credit score amenities inside their organizations.
Picture: American Specific