Rethinking accounts payable: How Deluxe is transforming finance through automation

In today’s fast-moving business environment, finance leaders are expected to do more than simply keep the books balanced. They are asked to mitigate fraud, strengthen vendor relationships, and free their teams to focus on strategy; all while navigating outdated processes that consume time and introduce risk. Nowhere is this paradox more evident than in accounts payable.

As highlighted in a recent episode of the Leaders in Payments podcast, Deluxe payables experts Steve Buchberger and Heather Dawood shed light on why more than 80 percent of businesses still use manual or semi-manual AP processes. Despite advances in digital transformation, finance teams continue to shuffle paper, manually approve invoices and key in payments — tasks that siphon away time from higher-value strategic work.

Dawood describes a striking example: “CFO Tuesdays,” when senior executives commute to the office solely to manually comb through ACH payments. This scenario underscores the disconnect between the skills of today’s finance professionals and the tedious tasks they are forced to manage. The cost is measured not only in lost productivity but also in elevated fraud risk, delays and strained vendor relationships.

The potential risks of staying manual

Manual workflows carry significant operational and compliance risks. Human error can lead to payment delays, disputes and reputational damage. Paper checks expose companies to increasing fraud attempts. Managing sensitive vendor banking details creates added burdens for teams already working at capacity. As Dawood noted, “Financial fraud was a white-collar crime. Now it’s an everyone crime.”

These challenges make it clear that staying with the status quo is no longer sustainable. Companies that continue to rely on outdated AP processes risk falling behind in efficiency, security and competitiveness.

Automation as a strategic lever

Deluxe is helping organizations break free from these limitations. As Buchberger explained, Deluxe’s AP automation solutions integrate directly with popular ERP systems, allowing companies to streamline payments regardless of method — ACH, check, wire or emerging real-time options. By centralizing processes within the ERP, businesses eliminate the need to juggle multiple systems, while also helping reduce the risks associated with storing sensitive supplier information.

The company’s recent acquisition of CheckMatch from Kinexys by J.P. Morgan expands the Deluxe Payment Network, enabling checks to bypass the postal system and be delivered digitally to lockbox providers. This innovation creates a faster, more secure and more cost-effective alternative that helps reduce fraud and labor for both senders and recipients.

Turning payments into partnerships

Perhaps most compelling is how AP automation directly improves vendor relationships. Deluxe helps enable payers to offer vendors choice in how they receive funds, ensure timely delivery and provides transparency through accessible portals. This flexibility transforms payments from a potential friction point into a trust-building experience that strengthens long-term partnerships.

A smarter future for finance

The conversation with Buchberger and Dawood makes one thing clear: AP automation is no longer a nice-to-have: It’s a necessity for modern finance. By embracing automation, organizations can help reduce risk, reclaim valuable time and position their teams to focus on the strategic initiatives that drive growth.