{"id":20971,"date":"2023-11-06T06:46:09","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T11:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=20971"},"modified":"2025-01-05T10:07:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T15:07:56","slug":"9-use-cases-for-process-automation-in-saas-payables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/9-use-cases-for-process-automation-in-saas-payables\/","title":{"rendered":"Streamlining SaaS AP with process automation: 9 use cases"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTechnology & Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStreamlining SaaS AP with process automation: 9 use cases\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"David\t\t\t\tDavid Appel & Feyikemi Oniyitan<\/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

As a SaaS CFO, you know that timely payments are HUGELY important to the success of your business. It probably won’t surprise you, then, that getting paid on time matters just as much to your company’s vendors and suppliers as it does to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when you manually handle your accounts payable (AP<\/strong><\/a>), process inefficiencies and employee errors can be troublesome roadblocks to getting your suppliers paid and maximizing positive relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog post, we’re aiming to, 1) Give you an overview of what AP is and why it’s crucial for SaaS companies, 2) Dive into how accounting software can streamline your payables workflow and help you monitor your payable expenses, and 3) Walk you through our top use cases for automating different aspects of your payables process, leveraging AI<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re tired of handling your SaaS AP manually, this blog post is for you. Let’s get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding payables<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AP is a crucial responsibility of your accounting department. It encompasses all the payments you owe to vendors who supply goods or services to your company, and the processes involved in tracking and settling your current liabilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accounts receivable (AR<\/strong><\/a>) is the other side of that equation. It refers to payments you’re owed by customers but haven’t received yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common payables for SaaS companies include vendor invoices, travel expenses, and purchasing-related costs. Your accounting team is responsible for processing, recording, and reconciling payables, as well as managing current and short-term liabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to note the distinction between AP and operational expenses. You incur your operational expenses over the course of the financial year, and they have their own subcategory on your company’s balance sheet. AP, on the other hand, involves shorter-term payments made to vendors and other parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AP metrics for SaaS CFOs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SaaS CFOs use AP metrics and KPIs to gauge the effectiveness of their AP department and its processes. Two of the most important AP metrics for SaaS finance are your:<\/p>\n\n\n\n