{"id":29271,"date":"2025-03-31T09:24:49","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T13:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=29271"},"modified":"2025-04-03T05:13:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T09:13:18","slug":"accounts-receivable-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/accounts-receivable-management\/","title":{"rendered":"What is accounts receivable management? How to improve it and best practices"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\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-us\/blog\/category\/strategy-legal-operations\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Strategy, Legal &amp; Operations<\/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 is accounts receivable management? How to improve it and best practices\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\t\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=\"2025-03-31T09:24:49-04:00\">March 31, 2025<\/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 is accounts receivable management? How to improve it and best practices\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/accounts-receivable-management\/\"\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<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-us\/blog\/author\/yassirmalik\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/Yassir-Malik.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"yassir-malik-profile-picture\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Yassir Malik<\/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>Managing your Accounts Receivable (AR) effectively is essential for keeping your business financially stable and profitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When payments come in on time, you maintain a steady cash flow, reduce the risk of bad debt, and strengthen customer relationships by ensuring a smooth billing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, without a solid accounts receivable management strategy, your business may struggle with delayed payments, cash flow shortages, and increased operational stress\u2014all of which can hinder growth and profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, you\u2019ll learn what AR management is, why it\u2019s crucial for your business, best practices to improve it, and how automation helps you streamline your processes for faster collections and healthier financial performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s what we&#8217;ll cover:<\/strong><\/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-accounts-receivable-management\" data-level=\"2\">What is accounts receivable management?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-key-components-of-accounts-receivable-management\" data-level=\"2\">Key components of accounts receivable management<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-why-is-accounts-receivable-management-important\" data-level=\"2\">Why is accounts receivable management important?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-accounts-receivable-best-practices\" data-level=\"2\">Accounts receivable best practices<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-to-improve-accounts-receivable-management\" data-level=\"2\">How to improve accounts receivable management?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-challenges-of-accounts-receivable-management\" data-level=\"2\">Challenges of accounts receivable management<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-optimize-your-accounts-receivable-turnover-for-better-cash-flow\" data-level=\"2\">Optimize your accounts receivable turnover for better cash flow<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-accounts-receivable-management-faqs\" data-level=\"2\">Accounts receivable management FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\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\">Small business survival toolkit<\/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>Get your free guide, business plan template, and cash flow forecast template to help you run your business and achieve your goals.<\/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-aee5a8c2-281d-42bb-8da2-eda5b62f63c6\"\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>Download your free toolkit<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__downloads\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t10,548 readers have downloaded this toolkit\t\t\t\t<\/div>\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-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Female hands working on a laptop\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-accounts-receivable-management\">What is accounts receivable management?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>AR management refers to tracking, invoicing, and collecting payments from customers who purchase goods or services on credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It makes sure your business receives payments on time, minimizes the risk of unpaid invoices, and maintains a steady cash flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It issues invoices promptly, monitoring outstanding balances, sending payment reminders, and handling collections when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-key-components-of-accounts-receivable-management\">Key components of accounts receivable management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A successful AR management process helps ensure payments are on time and offers greater financial stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the four essential components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-invoicing\">1. Invoicing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Timely, accurate invoicing is the foundation of a smooth accounts receivable process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each invoice should clearly outline payment terms, due dates, and accepted payment methods to prevent confusion and delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-payment-tracking\">2. Payment tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tracking incoming payments makes sure invoices are settled on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using AR-specialized software to automate this process reduces errors, improves efficiency, and helps you stay on top of outstanding balances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-collection-processes\">3. Collection processes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When customers miss payment deadlines, a structured collections strategy is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This may involve sending reminders, negotiating payment plans, or escalating overdue accounts to a collection agency when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-reconciliation\">4. Reconciliation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Regular reconciliation ensures that recorded payments match actual bank deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This step helps identify discrepancies, detect errors, and reduce the risk of fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-accounts-receivable-management-important\">Why is accounts receivable management important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding the importance of AR management is key to maintaining a financially stable business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mismanagement can lead to cash flow problems, reduced profitability, and strained customer relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the key advantages to using tailored AR management solutions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prevents-cash-flow-shortages\"><strong>Prevents cash flow shortages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Late or missed payments can disrupt cash flow, making it harder to cover essential expenses like payroll, rent, and operational costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reduces-financial-risk\"><strong>Reduces financial risk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Poor AR tracking increases the likelihood of bad debt and revenue loss, directly impacting your bottom line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-improves-customer-relationships\"><strong>Improves customer relationships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Clear, structured AR process reduces billing disputes, fosters transparency, and helps maintain strong client relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-enables-business-growth\"><strong>Enables business growth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A steady, predictable cash flow allows you to invest in expansion, innovation, and improved services without financial uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-accounts-receivable-best-practices\">Accounts receivable best practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These best practices will help you streamline your AR process, reduce late payments, and improve efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-standardize-and-document-ar-procedures\">1. Standardize and document AR procedures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Create clear, standardized guidelines for invoicing, payment terms, and follow-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making sure your team follows the same process promotes consistency and reduces errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-establish-a-structured-collections-process\">2. Establish a structured collections process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Define a proactive collections strategy that includes payment reminders, escalation procedures, and late payment penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This method helps you recover outstanding balances without damaging customer relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-offer-multiple-payment-options\">3. Offer multiple payment options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The easier you make it for customers to pay, the faster you\u2019ll receive payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Provide flexible options like credit card payments, online transfers, and automated billing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-leverage-ai-and-ocr-for-faster-processing\">4. Leverage AI and OCR for faster processing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>AI-powered AR software can automate invoice generation, payment reminders, and reconciliation, cutting down on manual work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology extracts data from invoices and receipts, eliminating errors and speeding processing times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\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\">Small business survival toolkit<\/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>Get your free guide, business plan template, and cash flow forecast template to help you run your business and achieve your goals.<\/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-aee5a8c2-281d-42bb-8da2-eda5b62f63c6\"\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>Download your free toolkit<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__downloads\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t10,548 readers have downloaded this toolkit\t\t\t\t<\/div>\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-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Female hands working on a laptop\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1327127856-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-improve-accounts-receivable-management\">How to improve accounts receivable management?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with a structured AR process, there\u2019s always room to optimize how you manage accounts receivable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to refine your AR strategy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-implement-an-effective-ar-process\">1. Implement an effective AR process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set clear credit policies to minimize risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Define payment terms (e.g., net 30, net 60)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Screen customers\u2019 creditworthiness before extending payment terms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-automate-invoicing-and-payment-reminders\">2. Automate invoicing and payment reminders<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use AR automation tools to send invoices and reminders automatically.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set up auto-pay options to encourage timely payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce reliance on manual follow-ups to improve efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-utilize-an-accounts-receivable-management-system\">3. Utilize an accounts receivable management system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A well-structured accounts receivable management process relies on the right tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/accounting-software\/accounts-receivable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AR management system<\/a> helps your business streamline invoicing, track payments, and automate collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using accounts receivable management solutions help your team to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automate invoice creation and distribution for faster processing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Track outstanding balances in real-time to monitor overdue accounts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Send payment reminders and late fee notifications to improve collection rates.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-track-and-analyze-ar-metrics\">4. Track and analyze AR metrics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Monitoring the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will help you identify inefficiencies and optimize your AR processes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)<\/strong>: measures the average time it takes to collect payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aging reports<\/strong>: categorizes outstanding invoices by overdue periods (e.g., 30, 60, 90+ days).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collection Effectiveness Index (CEI)<\/strong>: tracks the efficiency of your collections process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-strengthen-customer-relationships-for-faster-payments\">5. Strengthen customer relationships for faster payments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Strengthening your client or customer management can lead to faster, more reliable payments. Here\u2019s how to encourage timely payments and grow your relationship with your clients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maintain clear communication about payment expectations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Send friendly reminders before due dates to keep payments on track.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer incentives for early payments, such as discounts, to encourage prompt transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-challenges-of-accounts-receivable-management\">Challenges of accounts receivable management<strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with a strong AR process in place, challenges can still arise. Here are some common obstacles your business may face:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-late-payments\"><strong>Late payments<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Poor communication between your AR team and customers can lead to payment delays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Financial difficulties, poor cash flow management, or simply forgetting due dates can also contribute to late payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-invoice-disputes\"><strong>Invoice disputes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong> <\/strong>Errors in invoicing\u2014such as incorrect amounts, missing details, or mismatched purchase orders\u2014can lead to delays while issues are resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-high-days-sales-outstanding-dso\"><strong>High Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When invoices take too long to be paid, the cash conversion cycle extends, making it harder to cover operational costs and invest in growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-difficulty-accessing-real-time-data\"><strong>Difficulty accessing real-time data<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Without a centralized system, tracking outstanding invoices and monitoring AR performance in real time can be challenging, leading to inefficiencies in collections and decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-optimize-your-accounts-receivable-turnover-for-better-cash-flow\">Optimize your accounts receivable turnover for better cash flow<strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Staying ahead of AR challenges is essential for maintaining healthy cash flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep an eye on your accounts receivable turnover ratio\u2014the speed at which your business collects outstanding invoices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A high turnover ratio means faster payments, stronger cash flow, and lower risk of unpaid debts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-looking-to-improve-your-ar-turnover\">Looking to improve your AR turnover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose an AR management system that accelerates collections, minimizes errors, and makes real-time financial insights easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Sage AR management software can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Automate payment reminders and follow-ups to speed up collections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce manual errors with AI-powered reconciliation and smart invoicing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor outstanding invoices and key metrics using real-time AR dashboards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By combining best practices with automation, you can boost cash flow, lower financial risks, and maintain strong customer relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re ready for a simpler, more efficient AR process, explore <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/accounting-software\/accounts-receivable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sage accounts receivable software<\/a> and take control of your business finances with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-accounts-receivable-management-faqs\">Accounts receivable management FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-what-does-an-accounts-receivable-manager-do\">1. What does an accounts receivable manager do?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An Accounts Receivable (AR) manager is responsible for overseeing the entire accounts receivable management process to make sure businesses receive payments on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their key duties include invoicing, payment tracking, managing collection strategies, reconciliation, reporting and analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By effectively choosing and managing these processes, an AR manager helps maintain a steady cash flow, minimize bad debt, and strengthen customer relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-what-are-the-five-steps-in-managing-accounts-receivable\">2. What are the five steps in managing accounts receivable?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Invoice customers promptly with clear payment terms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor payments and track overdue accounts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Send reminders and follow up on late payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use collections strategies when necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reconcile payments and maintain accurate financial records.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\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 our 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>Get our latest business advice delivered directly to your inbox.<\/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-ab515c6e-7e90-4c2f-a67e-113872516e8b\"\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<\/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-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Working from home with tea in hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you a business owner or AR manager responsible for handling accounts receivable? Mastering best practices and using the right tools is key to keeping your finances healthy. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1774,"featured_media":19293,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,49],"tags":[110,195,4,170,299,155],"business_type":[40,41],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[98,96,97],"imagine_tag":[468,233,230,231],"coauthors":[509],"class_list":["post-29271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy-legal-operations","category-trends-insights","tag-accounting-101","tag-boss-your-business","tag-business-intelligence","tag-business-strategy","tag-cash-flow","tag-staying-competitive","business_type-small-business","business_type-growing-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-us","author_name":"Yassir Malik","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/07\/MicrosoftTeams-image-18.jpg","imagine_tags":{"468":"Grow your business","233":"Medium Businesses","230":"Small business","231":"Start up business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice US","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1774"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29271\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/19293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=29271"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=29271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}