AI in Accounts Payable: Everything You Need to Know

The world of accounts payable (AP) is undergoing a significant transformation, with artificial intelligence (AI) technology playing a crucial role in this evolution. AI automation tools are reshaping AP processing, providing solutions to previously manually laborious tasks, suitable for finance teams of all sizes. In this guide, we will discuss the role AI plays in AP workflow automation, how it works, and how it may benefit your business. We will also investigate the common pain points addressed in AP processing, and take a closer look at how Kloo is leveraging this advanced technology for automating Accounts Payable. 

How is AI Used in Accounts Payable? 

Because of the number of manual tasks traditionally performed by the accounts payable team, it’s the perfect area to introduce an AP automation application. Traditional AP methods are often time-consuming, error-prone, and costly. With new solutions implementing AI in accounts payable, fully automated processing has become a reality. AI algorithms can automatically extract relevant data from invoices, such as vendor details, invoice numbers, dates, and amounts, with minimal human intervention. Machine learning enables the system to improve its accuracy over time by learning from past processing experiences. 

AI also helps AP processing by validating invoice data through cross-referencing it with other sources like purchase orders, contracts, and vendor databases. This reduces errors, prevents duplicate payments, and ensures compliance with internal controls and regulations. 

How AI Solves Pain Points in Accounts Payable

Recent surveys highlight the evolving landscape of business priorities, with a focus on cost reduction and strategic technological transformation. The growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across industries offers more cost- and time-saving solutions far beyond what standard or traditional automation offers. Here are a few key ways AI-powered automation does this:

1. Automating manual processes

AI can automate routine tasks, allowing AP professionals to concentrate on more strategic activities. For instance, AI-powered software can automatically match invoices with purchase orders, significantly reducing processing time. 

2. Enhancing data accuracy

AI algorithms learn from data, becoming increasingly accurate over time. They can identify anomalies and errors in financial data, contributing to more precise financial statements and better decision-making. 

3. Strengthening security and compliance

AI plays a vital role in enhancing security. Machine learning algorithms can detect unusual patterns or anomalies in financial transactions, providing an additional layer of security against fraud and cyber-attacks. 

4. Providing real-time insights

AI-powered analytics tools can analyse large volumes of financial data in real-time, offering actionable insights. These insights aid in identifying cost-saving opportunities, optimising cash flow, and facilitating data-driven decisions. 

Benefits of AI-Powered Accounts Payable 

Implementing AI provides immediate benefits to your accounts payable department: 

1. Greater efficiency in processing: From extracting data from invoices to automatically routing invoices to the appropriate approvers, the entire AP process will be much more streamlined, from procurement to payment. 
2. Better supplier relationships: Delays in invoice processing and payment can put a strain on vendor relationships, however, with AI’s detection of lost or misplaced invoices, and duplicate invoices or payments made in error, business relations can be strengthened. 
3. Eliminated manual data entry: OCR and AI work in tandem with each other to automatically fill in and input invoice data, removing the need for extra manual labour. 

Cost, control, and future-proofing are the other key benefits of AI-powered automation for accounts payable. The technology brings major cost savings, reduces processing delays, and eliminates invoice errors. It enables businesses to have greater control over cash flow by predicting payment patterns, payment behaviour, and potential gaps. AI technology can adapt to new patterns without significant human intervention. Overall, AI-powered automation for accounts payable provides organisations with a more efficient, intelligent, and strategic approach to financial management. 

Kloo’s AI-Powered Accounts Payable Platform 

Kloo's AI-powered AP automation streamlines the entire accounts payable workflow process from purchase orders to payments. This solution provides end-to-end automation capabilities for businesses looking for more efficient AP solutions. 

Kloo's product offers several unique features that make it stand out from other AP automation tools. Some of the notable features include: 

• No-touch invoice processing: Leveraging OCR technology to extract and store invoice data on the platform, this saves your team valuable time and increasing accuracy with automated purchase order matching and a customisable approvals engine. 
• AI-powered PO creation: Purchase orders are augmented with AI to deliver the best user experience, saving valuable time and gaining efficiency by raising POs on the platform via direct message with the chatbot. 
• Automated payment run and approvals: Unlimited, threshold-based approval workflows to automate and maximise control and efficiency. 

Kloo provides the solution for businesses looking to leverage an AI-powered platform to streamline their AP processes. Save time, reduce human error and manual labour, and embrace efficiency with smart automation and AI embedded throughout the entire procure-to-pay process. See more of Kloo in action below:

Key Takeaways 

In conclusion, AI-powered automation for accounts payable offers numerous benefits, including increased cost savings, greater control and efficiency, and future-proofing. With Kloo's AI-powered accounts payable platform, businesses can take advantage of automated PO creation, automated invoice management, instant spend analytics, and future-ready payables. By embracing AI in their accounts payable processes, companies can optimise their workflows and make more informed, data-driven decisions.