{"id":29158,"date":"2026-03-17T16:16:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T16:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=29158"},"modified":"2026-03-18T13:06:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:06:03","slug":"accounts-payable-outsourcing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accounts-payable-outsourcing\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u00a0is\u00a0accounts payable outsourcing and how does it work?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--standard entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--standard\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat\u00a0is\u00a0accounts payable outsourcing and how does it work?\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn how accounts payable outsourcing can simplify invoice processing, cut costs, and allow you to focus on growth.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-03-17T16:16:06+00:00\">17 March, 2026<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"What\u00a0is\u00a0accounts payable outsourcing and how does it work?\u00a0\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accounts-payable-outsourcing\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/laurencematone\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/03\/Profile_LM-350x350.jpeg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Laurence Matone\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Laurence Matone<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Accounts payable outsourcing offers a smarter, more efficient way to manage manual accounting tasks.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;why many&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;choose AP outsourcing to reduce time,&nbsp;minimise&nbsp;errors, and cut unexpected costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This blog explains what accounts payable outsourcing is, how it works, and why third-party providers are helping businesses streamline their invoice processing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;a business owner or part of a finance team, this guide will help you decide if outsourcing AP is the right move for your business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s&nbsp;what&nbsp;we\u2019ll&nbsp;cover:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-nbsp-is-nbsp-accounts-payable-outsourcing-nbsp\" data-level=\"2\">What&nbsp;is&nbsp;accounts payable outsourcing? &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-do-accounts-payable-outsourcing-services-work-nbsp\" data-level=\"2\">How do accounts payable outsourcing services work? &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-are-the-advantages-of-outsourcing-accounts-payable-nbsp\" data-level=\"2\">What are the advantages of outsourcing accounts payable? &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-to-choose-the-right-accounts-payable-outsourcing-provider-nbsp\" data-level=\"2\">How to choose the right accounts payable outsourcing provider &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-is-ap-outsourcing-right-for-your-business-nbsp\" data-level=\"2\">Is AP outsourcing right for your business? &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-making-accounts-payable-outsourcing-work-for-your-business-nbsp\" data-level=\"2\">Making accounts payable outsourcing work for your business &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-nbsp-is-nbsp-accounts-payable-outsourcing-nbsp\"><strong>What&nbsp;is&nbsp;accounts payable outsourcing?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Accounts payable outsourcing is when your business hires a third-party provider to handle all or part of its accounts payable process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes everything from receiving invoices to processing payments and generating reports.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of managing this work internally, you can outsource&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;payable services to experienced professionals who use advanced tools often powered by AI and automation to manage your payables more efficiently.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These providers are equipped to handle invoice data capture,&nbsp;approval&nbsp;workflows, supplier payments, and compliance reporting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They&nbsp;essentially act&nbsp;as an extension of your finance team, freeing up internal resources so you can focus on more strategic tasks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-accounts-payable-outsourcing-services-work-nbsp\"><strong>How do accounts payable outsourcing services work?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>AP outsourcing might seem complex at first, but&nbsp;it&#8217;s&nbsp;a straightforward process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A third-party provider takes over tasks like invoice collection, data entry, approval routing, payment processing, and reporting\u2014often using automation to boost efficiency.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s&nbsp;a step-by-step look at how it typically works:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-invoice-submission-nbsp\"><strong>1. Invoice submission<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It all starts with your suppliers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of sending invoices to your in-house team, suppliers forward them directly to your accounts payable outsourcing provider\u2014usually via email or through a secure supplier portal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This submission creates a&nbsp;centralised&nbsp;point of entry for all invoices, reducing the risk of delays or lost documents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-automated-processing-nbsp\"><strong>2. Automated processing<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once invoices are received, the provider uses automation tools\u2014often with AI-powered data extraction\u2014to scan, read, and&nbsp;validate&nbsp;the information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The system extracts key details such as invoice number, amount, due date, and purchase order match.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure payments align with the invoices, the system cross-checks each payment against the corresponding invoice, ensuring the correct amount is paid.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, fraud detection measures are built into the process, such as&nbsp;validating&nbsp;that your payments have been successfully deposited into the company&#8217;s bank account.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if an invoice&nbsp;appears to be&nbsp;overpaid, the system flags the discrepancy, preventing overpayment and potential fraud.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, the system can detect and block duplicate invoices to prevent double payments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-approval-workflow-nbsp\"><strong>3. Approval workflow<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After processing, the invoices are routed through a&nbsp;customised&nbsp;approval workflow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This step&nbsp;ensures&nbsp;each invoice is reviewed and approved by the&nbsp;appropriate stakeholders&nbsp;in your&nbsp;organisation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alerts and notifications can help speed up the approval process and reduce bottlenecks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-payment-processing-nbsp\"><strong>4. Payment processing<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once approved, invoices are scheduled for payment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your outsourcing AP provider makes sure suppliers are paid accurately and on time, using your preferred payment methods\u2014BACS, Faster Payments, cheque, or virtual card.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This step helps your business&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;good supplier relationships and avoid late fees.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-reporting-and-compliance-nbsp\"><strong>5. Reporting and compliance<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, all&nbsp;invoice&nbsp;and payment data are recorded in real-time dashboards.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These tools give your team visibility into your cash flow, spending trends, and payment status.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most AP outsourcing providers also enhance compliance with financial regulations and provide audit trails for transparency.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-are-the-advantages-of-outsourcing-accounts-payable-nbsp\"><strong>What are the advantages of outsourcing accounts payable?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Outsourcing accounts payable can save you time\u2014it brings a range of benefits that can make a real difference to your business operations and bottom line.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cost-savings-and-efficiency-nbsp\"><strong>Cost savings and efficiency<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By outsourcing accounts payable, you can reduce the overhead costs of hiring, training, and managing an in-house AP team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, instead of manually entering invoice data, automated systems handle it quickly and precisely, reducing errors and saving hours of work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This service can result in faster processing times, reduced&nbsp;late payments, and potentially lower operational costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-scalability-and-flexibility-nbsp\"><strong>Scalability and flexibility<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether your business is growing quickly or navigating seasonal fluctuations, outsourcing AP gives you the flexibility to scale without increasing headcount.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;part of a retail company experiencing a surge in supplier invoices during the Christmas period, your AP provider can handle the increased volume\u2014no need to hire temporary staff or overburden your internal team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-stronger-supplier-relationships-nbsp\"><strong>Stronger supplier relationships<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accurate and on-time payments keep your suppliers happy and your operations running smoothly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a reliable AP workflow in place,&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;more likely to avoid&nbsp;late payments&nbsp;and disputes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;a manufacturing business that consistently pays its suppliers on time, you may gain access to better pricing, faster delivery, or&nbsp;early payment&nbsp;discounts\u2014all of which help improve cash flow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fraud-prevention-and-compliance-nbsp\"><strong>Fraud prevention and compliance<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>AP outsourcing providers use advanced security protocols and compliance frameworks to protect your business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Built-in controls\u2014like multi-step approvals, role-based access, and AI-driven anomaly detection\u2014can catch suspicious activity before it becomes a problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if an invoice amount suddenly spikes outside of normal ranges, the system can flag it for review.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This helps protect against fraud whilst ensuring compliance with the UK Companies Act, GDPR, and other relevant UK financial regulations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-access-to-advanced-technology-nbsp\"><strong>Access to advanced technology<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing AP is gaining access to&nbsp;cutting-edge&nbsp;tools\u2014without stretching your budget.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many providers use AI-driven automation, cloud-based platforms, and real-time analytics to help streamline processing and&nbsp;provide&nbsp;additional insights into financial data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This approach allows your business to enjoy the benefits of advanced technology without the cost or effort of purchasing, implementing, or&nbsp;maintaining&nbsp;it&nbsp;in-house.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-choose-the-right-accounts-payable-outsourcing-provider-nbsp\"><strong>How to choose the right accounts payable outsourcing provider<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all accounts payable outsourcing services are created equal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are key factors to consider when evaluating potential providers:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-industry-nbsp-expertise-nbsp\"><strong>Industry&nbsp;expertise<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose a provider who understands your industry&#8217;s unique challenges and regulatory requirements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, if&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;managing a healthcare&nbsp;organisation, your compliance needs will differ significantly from those of a retail business, making industry-specific knowledge essential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ai-powered-solutions-nbsp\"><strong>AI-powered solutions<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for providers that&nbsp;leverage&nbsp;advanced technologies like AI-driven data capture, machine learning for anomaly detection, and&nbsp;customisable&nbsp;approval&nbsp;workflows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These features can significantly reduce manual tasks and improve accuracy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-security-and-compliance-nbsp\"><strong>Security and compliance<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure your provider follows strict security protocols and&nbsp;complies with&nbsp;relevant financial regulations, such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2006\/46\/contents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Companies Act<\/strong><\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gdpr.eu\/what-is-gdpr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>GDPR<\/strong><\/a>, or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/controller.ucsf.edu\/how-to-guides\/accounts-receivable-banking-services\/understanding-payment-card-industry-data-security#:~:text=PCI%20DSS%20(Payment%20Card%20Industry%20Data%20Security%20Standard)%204.0%20is,breaches%20and%20credit%20card%20fraud.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>PCI-DSS<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is especially important if your business handles sensitive financial or customer data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tailored-services-nbsp\"><strong>Tailored services<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid one-size-fits-all solutions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead, choose providers that offer flexible services tailored to fit your existing workflows, approval processes, and specific business goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-customer-support-nbsp\"><strong>Customer support<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A responsive support team and dedicated account manager can make onboarding smoother and help resolve any issues quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for a provider with a strong&nbsp;track record&nbsp;of support and client satisfaction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-ap-outsourcing-right-for-your-business-nbsp\"><strong>Is AP outsourcing right for your business?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Still unsure whether outsourcing AP is the right move?&nbsp;Here&#8217;s&nbsp;a quick checklist to help you decide:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&#8217;re&nbsp;processing a high volume of invoices each month&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your team spends too much time on manual data entry&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&#8217;ve experienced delays or errors in payments&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your AP process lacks transparency or reporting&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You want to reduce costs without sacrificing quality&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&#8217;re&nbsp;struggling to keep up with compliance requirements&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&#8217;d&nbsp;like to focus your internal team on higher-value work&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If&nbsp;you&#8217;ve&nbsp;ticked off even a few of these, it might be time to outsource accounts payable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-making-accounts-payable-outsourcing-work-for-your-business-nbsp\"><strong>Making accounts payable outsourcing work for your business<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/accounts-payable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accounts payable<\/a>&nbsp;shouldn&#8217;t&nbsp;drain your time or resources.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With accounts payable outsourcing, you can simplify your AP process, reduce costs, improve accuracy, and refocus on your business&#8217;s bigger goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From invoice submission to compliance reporting, outsourcing AP offers an efficient, secure, and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With access to advanced automation and expert support, outsourcing can help you take greater control of your finances without managing everything in-house.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;thinking about making the switch, start by evaluating your current AP process and exploring providers that can help streamline operations and unlock more value from your accounting team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div 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class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/business-support\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness support\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/grow-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to grow your business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/make-receive-payments\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMaking and receiving payments\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/midsized-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMidsized business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/payments\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPayments\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/tag\/state-of-small-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tState of Small Business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-3675 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-grow-business tag-peter-jones-ambition business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Identifying useful growth opportunities will help your business to thrive\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-547016975_super-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T17:13:40+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/identify-useful-growth-opportunities\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tHow to identify useful growth opportunities for your business\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tWant to grow your business? From market penetration to diversification, here are four proven growth strategies\u2014and how AI, the right data, and the right team help turn ideas into results.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-1545 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-growth-customers tag-grow-business business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/10-steps-to-grow-your-customer-base\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1261563978-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T16:41:53+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\t10 steps to grow your customer base\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-1543 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-free-guides-templates category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-continuity tag-create-business-plan tag-grow-business tag-start-business business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/how-to-write-a-business-plan\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-740534235-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" class=\"card-post__meta-icon svg-icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M11.988 2.989a.75.75 0 0 0-.739.761v10.689l-1.72-1.72a.75.75 0 0 0-.957-.099.75.75 0 0 0-.315.776c.031.146.104.28.211.384l3 3a.75.75 0 0 0 1.06 0l3-3a.76.76 0 0 0 .231-.533.74.74 0 0 0-.22-.538q-.108-.106-.247-.164c-.139-.058-.191-.057-.291-.056s-.198.022-.29.061-.174.097-.243.169l-1.72 1.72V3.75a.76.76 0 0 0-.22-.541.76.76 0 0 0-.542-.22zM5.75 8.5C4.24 8.5 3 9.74 3 11.25v7C3 19.76 4.24 21 5.75 21h12.5c1.51 0 2.75-1.24 2.75-2.75v-7c0-1.51-1.24-2.75-2.75-2.75h-3a.76.76 0 0 0-.537.216.74.74 0 0 0-.223.535.76.76 0 0 0 .223.535.74.74 0 0 0 .537.216h3c.699 0 1.25.551 1.25 1.25v7a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25 1.25H5.75a1.24 1.24 0 0 1-1.25-1.25v-7c0-.699.551-1.25 1.25-1.25h3a.76.76 0 0 0 .537-.216.74.74 0 0 0 .223-.535.76.76 0 0 0-.223-.535.75.75 0 0 0-.537-.216z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-05T11:19:49+01:00\">5 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tFree template: How to write a business plan\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-30318 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-bookkeeping tag-payments business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-ap-automation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1128201585-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-02T16:58:53+01:00\">2 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">11 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tAccounts payable automation: How it works, key benefits, and why your business needs it\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-30313 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-bookkeeping tag-payments business_type-small-business business_type-medium-sized-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-an-automated-billing-system\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-580503469-1-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Running a business\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-580503469-1-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-580503469-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-580503469-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-06-02T15:54:42+01:00\">2 June, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is an automated billing system?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how accounts payable outsourcing can simplify invoice processing, cut costs, and allow you to focus on growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1911,"featured_media":16334,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[124,15,25,159,311,129],"business_type":[4,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[69,71,73,74],"imagine_tag":[287,77,271],"coauthors":[752],"class_list":["post-29158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-business-support","tag-grow-business","tag-make-receive-payments","tag-midsized-business","tag-payments","tag-state-of-small-business","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Laurence Matone","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1185859128.jpg","imagine_tags":{"287":"Accounting Individual","77":"Accounting software","271":"Accounts payable"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1911"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/16334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=29158"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=29158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}