{"id":29292,"date":"2026-03-19T14:16:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T14:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=29292"},"modified":"2026-03-19T14:17:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T14:17:38","slug":"accounts-payable-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accounts-payable-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the accounts payable process: The ultimate workflow guide\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\tUnderstanding the accounts payable process: The ultimate workflow guide\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 more about the accounts payable process and the power of AP automation to streamline accounts payable workflow and improve cash flow control.\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<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=\"2026-03-19T14:16:17+00:00\">19 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=\"Understanding the accounts payable process: The ultimate workflow guide\u00a0\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accounts-payable-process\/\"\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<\/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>Whether&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;running a mid-sized business or starting out as an entrepreneur,&nbsp;getting to&nbsp;grips with the accounts payable process within your expenditure and&nbsp;purchasing&nbsp;cycle is crucial.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what is it, and why should you care? This guide will explain everything you need to know about the accounts payable process and why&nbsp;it&#8217;s&nbsp;important for your business&#8217;s financial health.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s\u00a0what we will cover:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/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-is-the-accounts-payable-process\" data-level=\"2\">What&nbsp;is&nbsp;the accounts payable process?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-importance-of-an-optimised-accounts-payable-workflow\" data-level=\"2\">The importance of an&nbsp;optimised&nbsp;accounts payable workflow<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-challenges-in-accounts-payable-procedures\" data-level=\"2\">Challenges in accounts payable procedures<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-accounts-payable-process-steps\" data-level=\"2\">The accounts payable process steps<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-implementing-best-practices-in-the-accounts-payable-process\" data-level=\"2\">Implementing best practices in the accounts payable process<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-optimise-accounts-payable-process-with-ap-automation\" data-level=\"2\">Optimise&nbsp;accounts payable process with AP automation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-next-steps-to-streamline-and-strengthen-your-accounts-payable-workflow\" data-level=\"2\">Next steps to streamline and strengthen your accounts payable workflow<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-accounts-payable-process-faqs\" data-level=\"2\">Accounts payable process FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-the-accounts-payable-process\"><strong>What\u00a0is\u00a0the accounts payable process?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Accounts Payable (AP) is the money your business owes to suppliers and vendors for the goods and services&nbsp;you&#8217;ve&nbsp;received but&nbsp;haven&#8217;t&nbsp;yet paid. It shows up as a liability on your balance sheet and is critical when tracking how cash moves in and out of your business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The accounts payable process, also known as the &#8220;full cycle of accounts payable,&#8221; covers everything from getting a Purchase Order (PO) and invoice to&nbsp;actually making&nbsp;the payment. At&nbsp;a high level:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You receive an invoice (and, where applicable, a purchase order) from a supplier\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You review the invoice against the PO to ensure accuracy\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You approve the invoice\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You\u00a0authorise\u00a0and send payment\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This sequence is also part of the broader P2P (Procure-to-pay) process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-importance-of-an-optimised-accounts-payable-workflow\"><strong>The importance of an\u00a0optimised\u00a0accounts payable workflow<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;payable workflow is full of bottlenecks, you risk&nbsp;late payments, duplicate bills, extra fees, and frustrated suppliers. A smooth AP process helps avoid these problems and brings many advantages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It helps you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-keep-track-of-invoices\"><strong>Keep track of invoices<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An automated AP system updates invoices in real-time, so you always know which payments are due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pay-on-time-every-time\"><strong>Pay on time, every time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Automated reminders and scheduling help ensure you\u00a0don&#8217;t\u00a0miss deadlines and avoid penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-eliminate-manual-work\"><strong>Eliminate\u00a0manual work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Automation reduces the need for manual data entry and processing,\u00a0minimising\u00a0the risk of errors and\u00a0freeing up\u00a0your team from repetitive tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-speed-up-finance-operations\"><strong>Speed up finance operations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With streamlined workflows and automation, your finance team can process payments quickly, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-save-time-for-other-goals\"><strong>Save time for other goals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By reducing time spent on manual AP tasks, you give your team more time to tackle strategic priorities and contribute to the business&#8217;s growth and success.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-build-supplier-relationships\"><strong>Build supplier relationships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Consistent and\u00a0timely\u00a0payments build trust and strengthen relationships with vendors, potentially leading to better terms, discounts, and partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-avoid-late-fees-and-penalties\"><strong>Avoid late fees and penalties<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An\u00a0organised\u00a0accounts payable process ensures that payments are never missed, helping you avoid costly late fees and penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prevent-fraud\"><strong>Prevent fraud<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Built-in controls help detect and prevent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accounts-payable-fraud-guide\/\">fraudulent activities<\/a> by flagging suspicious transactions and enforcing proper approvals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-challenges-in-accounts-payable-procedures\"><strong>Challenges in accounts payable procedures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When your AP workflow is manual, you can run into several issues, including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Missing invoices:\u00a0<\/strong>paper or email invoices can get lost, risking late fees, supplier disputes, and VAT reporting issues.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Time-consuming oversight:\u00a0<\/strong>Sage found that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/company\/digital-newsroom\/2024\/06\/06\/sage-finds-small-european-companies-can-unlock-in-annual-savings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">77% of CEOs<\/a>\u00a0in European markets spend time each month chasing overdue invoices. In fact,\u00a04 in\u00a010 are doing this weekly.\u00a0That&#8217;s\u00a0time\u00a0they&#8217;re\u00a0not spending on growth or\u00a0new ideas.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Errors in data entry:<\/strong>\u00a0manual AP work can lead to typos, misplaced documents, and miscalculations\u2014all of which skew your financial data.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scaling problems:<\/strong>\u00a0rapid growth or seasonal spikes in invoices can overwhelm a manual AP process. Automated systems handle high volumes more smoothly.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Multiple payment methods:<\/strong>\u00a0managing everything from BACS transfers to paper cheques can get messy fast. Without the right tools, you risk mistakes and delays.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-accounts-payable-process-steps\"><strong>The accounts payable process steps<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A\u00a0end-to-end accounts payable cycle includes four key steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-invoice-capture\">1. <strong>Invoice capture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>First, collect the invoice\u2014via email, post, or a digital invoicing system\u2014and record it in your accounting system. Automated tools like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/cash-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cash flow management software<\/a>\u00a0can handle this step automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-invoice-approval\">2. <strong>Invoice approval<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Then review the invoice for accuracy, including quantities, prices, and discounts. Once\u00a0you&#8217;ve\u00a0verified it, the invoice needs to be approved, usually by someone in your finance team or management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-payment-processing\">3. <strong>Payment processing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With the invoice approved,\u00a0it&#8217;s\u00a0time to pay your supplier. Common payment methods include BACS, faster payments, cheques, and virtual cards. Make sure you match the payment to the correct invoice to avoid confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-payment-recording\">4. <strong>Payment recording<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, log the payment in your accounting system to keep your books\u00a0accurate\u00a0and make future reporting easier. Automation helps here, too, by updating records without the need for extra data entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-implementing-best-practices-in-the-accounts-payable-process\"><strong>Implementing best practices in the accounts payable process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You now know what the accounts payable process is and its full cycle. Now\u00a0it&#8217;s\u00a0time to make sure\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0doing it correctly. Here are three best practices to keep your AP process running smoothly:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-cut-down-on-cheque-runs\">1. <strong>Cut down on cheque runs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Paper cheques can be time-consuming. Instead of issuing them every few days, try\u00a0consolidating\u00a0payments and running cheques fortnightly (or even monthly). Fewer cheque runs mean fewer opportunities for errors and confusion and a simpler AP workflow overall.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-limit-access-and-establish-controls\">2. <strong>Limit access and\u00a0establish\u00a0controls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask yourself:\u00a0who\u00a0can change supplier information? Limiting access to your supplier master file helps you keep tight control over critical details. Assign specific roles and permissions so only trusted team members can add or update vendor info. Everyone else can view but not edit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-eliminate-ap-fraud\">3. <strong>Eliminate\u00a0AP fraud<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, fraud is a real concern\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.financialprofessionals.org\/training-resources\/resources\/survey-research-economic-data\/Details\/payments-fraud#:~:text=The%202024%20AFP%C2%AE%20Payments,the%20basis%20of%20this%20report.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">79% of organisations<\/a>\u00a0faced\u00a0payment\u00a0fraud\u00a0attempts\u00a0in 2024. You can protect your business by:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Setting strong internal controls.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Watching for\u00a0fake vendor accounts.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Restricting the ability to add new vendors to\u00a0authorised\u00a0employees.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure financial systems.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Training your team to\u00a0recognise\u00a0red flags and report suspicious activity.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-optimise-accounts-payable-process-with-ap-automation\"><strong>Optimise\u00a0accounts payable process with AP automation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>AP automation tools let you scan invoices, match them to&nbsp;purchase&nbsp;orders, and handle VAT.&nbsp;It&#8217;s&nbsp;a&nbsp;game-changer&nbsp;for businesses looking to save time and reduce errors.&nbsp;In fact, by 2030, up to 30% of current work hours could be automated with AI,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/mgi\/our-research\/a-new-future-of-work-the-race-to-deploy-ai-and-raise-skills-in-europe-and-beyond\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">according to McKinsey<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s why AP automation matters:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Simplifies accounts payable:<\/strong>\u00a0AP automation software keeps your cash flow in check and ensures invoices are paid on time. By automating the AP process, you reduce human error and\u00a0minimise\u00a0costs, freeing up time and resources for other important tasks.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Boosts productivity:\u00a0<\/strong>manual AP processing can be a huge drain on your team&#8217;s time and energy. Tracking every supplier agreement and processing hundreds of invoices a day can be overwhelming. Automation handles\u00a0all of\u00a0the work,\u00a0eliminating\u00a0thousands of hours of manual data entry.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Improves cash flow control:<\/strong>\u00a0with automated AP software, you get real-time visibility into your cash flow. No more confusion, simply clear, up-to-date reporting that helps you manage your finances better.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Streamlines approval process:\u00a0<\/strong>manual approval processes often lead to late fees, missed invoices, and overworked teams. AP automation software streamlines the entire approval process, from routing invoices for review to notifying stakeholders. It also includes built-in permissions to prevent fraud and\u00a0unauthorised\u00a0purchases.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-next-steps-to-streamline-and-strengthen-your-accounts-payable-workflow\"><strong>Next steps to streamline and strengthen your accounts payable workflow<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the right approach, you can sidestep common pitfalls, streamline your workflow, and make sure your finances stay in tip-top shape.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sage\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/accounts-payable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accounts payable automation software<\/a>\u00a0solutions are designed to make your life easier. From invoice handling to real-time reporting, you can improve your AP through its automation and easy integrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-accounts-payable-process-faqs\"><strong>Accounts payable process FAQs<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773929440161\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How do you record\u00a0accounts\u00a0payable transactions?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Recording accounts payable is pretty simple once you get the hang of it.\u00a0Every time you get an invoice or a bill, you note it down in your\u00a0accounts\u00a0payable ledger.\u00a0You&#8217;ll\u00a0want to\u00a0log\u00a0the details like the date, amount, and who\u00a0it&#8217;s\u00a0from.\u00a0When you actually pay it, update your records to show it&#8217;s been settled.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1773929450859\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How can automation improve the accounts payable process?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Automation can make your accounts payable process and procedures easier. Instead of drowning in paperwork and risking human errors, automation software takes care of the tedious tasks for you. It scans invoices, matches them with purchase orders, and even supports VAT treatment and tax reporting requirements. This means you save time, reduce mistakes, and avoid\u00a0the hassle of manual\u00a0checks.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/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 class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn more about the accounts payable process and the power of AP automation to streamline accounts payable workflow and improve cash flow control.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1911,"featured_media":11527,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[25,311],"business_type":[4,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[],"imagine_tag":[109,298],"coauthors":[752],"class_list":["post-29292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-make-receive-payments","tag-payments","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\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644406.jpg","imagine_tags":{"109":"Small business","298":"Small Suites"}},"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\/29292","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=29292"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29294,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29292\/revisions\/29294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/11527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=29292"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=29292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}