A brand new research from American Categorical 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 position of streamlined funds in enterprise development, provider relationships, and operational effectivity.
Key Findings
Based on the research, 91% of enterprise decision-makers acknowledge that “simple, streamlined and safe funds drive enterprise development.” Nevertheless, 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 sluggish funds have additionally had a tangible affect on enterprise relationships, with 26% of respondents citing cost 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 presents companies a number of benefits, together with enhanced money stream visibility, safer transactions, and elevated operational effectivity.
“Funds optimization will not be all the time appreciated for its constructive affect on relationships between consumers and suppliers and general enterprise success,” stated Widad Chaoui, Senior Vice President, Company and B2B Options Product Administration, World Industrial Providers, at American Categorical. “Automated cost strategies like digital playing cards or digital push funds drive more money stream visibility, safer transactions, and higher relationships. Additionally they give companies larger working capital flexibility, enabling them to spend money on transferring their enterprise ahead.”
Enterprise leaders acknowledge these benefits, with 29% of survey respondents stating they’d “sleep higher at evening” if they didn’t have to fret about cost accuracy and timeliness. Nevertheless, perceived limitations proceed to forestall many corporations 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 most important causes companies have but to implement full funds automation.
“Typically, it will possibly really feel like a frightening job for enterprise leaders to vary their cost processes from guide to automated, even when the present guide 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 Categorical. “However the actuality is that the time and price related to automation could be simpler to implement than anticipated, and may profit companies in each the quick and long term.”
Automation as a Development Technique
The research discovered that 95% of enterprise decision-makers consider “simple, streamlined, and safe funds create glad clients.” In 2025, 43% of these planning to vary their funds processes cite enterprise development as their major motivation.
American Categorical 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 – Cut back errors, save money and time, and improve money stream effectivity.
- Straight-through processing for static and digital playing cards – Totally digital processing with out guide steps.
- EIPP (Digital Bill Presentment and Cost) – Streamlined digital invoicing and cost acceptance.
- Digital Push Funds – Transactions initiated by the payer for larger management over cost timing and vacation spot.
As companies look to enhance effectivity and strengthen relationships with suppliers and consumers, automation is anticipated to play a vital position in shaping funds methods. The survey means that whereas challenges stay, the shift towards automated funds may drive important 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 Categorical between December 9, 2024, and January 2, 2025. The survey included 1,000 enterprise decision-makers throughout varied industries, chosen primarily based on their duty for monetary providers, accounting, banking, or enterprise credit score services inside their organizations.
Picture: American Categorical
