{"id":71509,"date":"2023-12-15T17:51:26","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T15:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=71509"},"modified":"2025-01-13T14:19:57","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T12:19:57","slug":"boost-your-cash-flow-with-genai-for-finance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/boost-your-cash-flow-with-genai-for-finance\/","title":{"rendered":"Boost cash flow and better predict the future with GenAI"},"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-za\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/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\tBoost cash flow and better predict the future with GenAI\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\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=\"2023-12-15T17:51:26+02:00\">December 15, 2023<\/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=\"Boost cash flow and better predict the future with GenAI\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/boost-your-cash-flow-with-genai-for-finance\/\"\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<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-za\/blog\/author\/david-appel\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/11\/David-Appel-headshot-2023-1.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">David Appel<\/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>Picture this. What if you had an employee with superhuman data processing and output skills who could work around the clock for you, and was perfectly happy to do it for almost no compensation? That\u2019s what generative AI (GenAI) amounts to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this blog post, we\u2019ll&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1) Explain what sets GenAI apart from traditional artificial intelligence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2) Explore how GenAI can revolutionize the effectiveness and profitability of your SaaS forecasting<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3) Examine some of the best ways to boost your company\u2019s cash flow with this new tech<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-understanding-genai-and-how-it-compares-to-ai\"><strong>Understanding GenAI and how it compares to AI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>GenAI combines machine learning (ML) techniques with large language models (LLMs) to generate new text and other types of humanlike content.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a general framework, that could be writing, images, video, or audio content. You can find plenty of examples of AI-generated content with a quick Google search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the context of SaaS finance, however, CFOs are using GenAI to seamlessly generate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Financial reports and statements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low-variance, long-range SaaS forecasts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deferred revenue burn down readouts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"141\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image.png 867w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-768x125.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Detailed capitalization tables to track external funding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Much more, without requiring any computer code<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take a closer look at the benefits of GenAI for SaaS finance and accounting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-genai-and-saas-finance-a-perfect-pairing\"><strong>GenAI and SaaS finance: a perfect pairing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefits of GenAI for SaaS CFOs are many and varied. To help you get a clearer picture of the rewards you can reap with GenAI capabilities, we\u2019ve listed some of the major benefits your company can gain from switching to automation accounting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Total visibility into your company\u2019s cash inflows and outflows.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The detailed financial reports created by GenAI provide end-to-end visibility into all your cash coming in and going out. As a SaaS CFO, your ability to succeed is directly tied to your ability to track your cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Predictive analytics to inform your decision-making.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cloud accounting software with GenAI can use predictive analytics to perform sentiment analysis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This helps you gauge which customers are at risk of churning and which are good upsell and cross-sell candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Real-time integration with dozens of SaaS metrics.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SaaS companies rely on a huge range of different metrics and KPIs to track their financial performance and cash flow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-768x525.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Accounting automation gives you access to dozens of SaaS metrics that are continually updated in real time, so you never miss a beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/what-is-meaningful-underlying-business-dynamics-mud\/\"><strong>RELATED: Automation, metrics, and MUD: a CFO\u2019s guide for SaaS success<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Automated customer service via chatbot.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GenAI can even offer assistance with fielding customer questions and support tickets. This is a great way of freeing up extra time for strategizing at your organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now we\u2019ll go deeper into SaaS forecasting. What\u2019s the value of it, and how is GenAI uniquely suited for maximizing your ability to predict the future?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-importance-of-forecasting-in-saas-finance\"><strong>The importance of forecasting in SaaS finance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Accurate forecasting plays a crucial role in SaaS financial planning and analysis (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/glossary\/what-is-financial-planning-and-analysis-fpa\/\"><strong>FP&amp;A<\/strong><\/a>). By leveraging forecast models powered by ML and GenAI, you can better predict threats and opportunities that could impact your future revenue stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SaaS CFOs run forecasts to predict all kinds of things, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Churn rates and customer sentiment:<\/strong>&nbsp;Forecasting on a regular basis helps you maintain a clear understanding of what direction your churn rates and overall user sentiment are trending in. This is incredibly valuable in facilitating early outreach and keeping the business of users who are about to churn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The impact of billing and pricing adjustments:<\/strong>&nbsp;Even minor adjustments to your product pricing and billing can have massive implications for your long-term profits. SaaS forecasting allows you to precisely gauge the downstream effects of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/8-saas-billing-models-to-adopt-and-scale-your-saas-company\/\"><strong>different SaaS billing models<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The best way to allocate company resources:<\/strong>&nbsp;SaaS budgeting is a complex process requiring the input of many different people. As a CFO, you can provide clarity around optimal allocations by forecasting the impacts of different budgeting choices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you\u2019ve gotten a quick refresher on SaaS forecasting, we have another question to answer. How is GenAI the perfect companion for all your SaaS forecasting endeavours?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-role-of-genai-in-saas-forecasting\"><strong>The role of GenAI in SaaS forecasting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Utilizing advanced ML algorithms, GenAI identifies patterns in your historical accounting data to make highly accurate financial predictions almost instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SaaS CFOs can leverage GenAI to simulate various scenarios, allowing for more accurate predictions across longer spans of time than legacy methods would be capable of. This predictive capability optimizes everything from resource allocation to pricing decisions and puts cost-effective and hyper-efficient forecasting at your fingertips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-1-1440x682.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-1-1440x682.png 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-1-768x364.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-1-1536x728.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-1.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And the best part of all is that forecasts created with ML and GenAI feature dynamic scenario planning. This means that your forecasts will shift in real time to reflect the financial changes occurring in your environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This amounts to continuous, low-cost, highly accurate SaaS forecasting. Try beating that with legacy forecasting methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-won-t-our-company-be-liable-for-model-documentation\"><strong>Won\u2019t our company be liable for model documentation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you found yourself asking this question, that\u2019s a great sign. It means you\u2019re an attentive finance leader. Yes, companies in the United States and elsewhere that use ML for forecast model assembly must keep detailed records of their model creation workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GenAI automatically takes care of process and assumption documentation, offering transparency and peace of mind in the event of an audit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SaaS CFOs can easily access and review the comprehensive documentation produced by GenAI, ensuring total accountability and mitigating legal risks. With detailed model documentation, SaaS finance teams can confidently navigate the regulatory landscape surrounding the use of AI and ML in SaaS forecasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As important as forecasting is, there are plenty of other ways finance leaders can boost SaaS cash flow with GenAI. Let\u2019s review some of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-ways-saas-cfos-can-boost-cash-flow-with-genai\"><strong>4 ways SaaS CFOs can boost cash flow with GenAI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a SaaS CFO, maximizing cash flow is your bread and butter. GenAI can help you do that by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/features\/autoentry\/\"><strong>automating data entry<\/strong><\/a>, keeping detailed track of your cash flow, and so much more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s see what else this new technology is capable of.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-streamline-your-saas-metrics-integration\"><strong>1. Streamline your SaaS metrics integration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintaining up-to-the-second intelligence on your SaaS metrics has never been easier than it is today. And that\u2019s fantastic news because your KPIs underpin every process that impacts your cash flow, from budgeting to price-setting and countless others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accounting software equipped with deep learning and GenAI functionality gives you continuous access to dozens of SaaS metrics, all updated in real time. Cloud accounting software centralizes your company\u2019s financial data, meaning other stakeholders can easily reference all the metrics they need to gauge departmental performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-2-1440x810.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-2-1440x810.png 1440w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-2-684x384.png 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-2.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The software industry moves at breakneck speed. But your SaaS metrics give you an opportunity to slow down, take stock, and make an informed plan that results in cash flow. Very little in SaaS finance is more valuable than that, and GenAI can make it happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-eliminate-revenue-leakage\"><strong>2. Eliminate revenue leakage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Manual revenue recognition for recurring revenue SaaS companies can quickly spiral into unmanageability. This is a serious threat to your cash flow, and will quickly result in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/what-causes-revenue-leakage-and-how-can-you-prevent-it\/\"><strong>leaked revenue<\/strong><\/a>, which is revenue that you can\u2019t report because it falls outside the purview of&nbsp;IFRS15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1435\" height=\"806\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-72771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-3.png 1435w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-3-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/12\/image-3-684x384.png 684w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1435px) 100vw, 1435px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>SaaS companies can leverage the power of GenAI to identify and address revenue leakage points and revenue recognition problems. By analyzing your revenue recognition data, GenAI detects process inefficiencies, enabling finance teams to implement strategies for rapid revenue recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By eliminating revenue leakage, SaaS companies can quickly improve their bottom line and ensure a healthier cash flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-analyze-customer-sentiment-for-early-churn-intervention\"><strong>3. Analyze customer sentiment for early churn intervention<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>GenAI leverages its advanced natural language processing (NLP) capabilities to analyze customer sentiment and identify potential churn risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through user sentiment monitoring, GenAI enables SaaS companies to intervene at an early stage of churn risk and implement proactive strategies for customer retention. After all, your company won\u2019t keep making money if it can\u2019t hang on to customers for the long haul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to preventing churn, gauging user sentiment is crucial for maximizing the success of your product design and software development workflows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With GenAI\u2019s powerful NLP algorithms, businesses can stay ahead of customer sentiment trends and take timely actions to ensure long-term customer loyalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-increase-the-reach-of-your-products-with-recommender-functionality\"><strong>4. Increase the reach of your products with recommender functionality<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Business leaders in all kinds of domains have leveraged AI-based recommender systems at their companies. And you should give serious thought to it, too.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a nutshell, it uses AI models to look at which products and services a user has purchased from you in the past, and nudges them toward your related offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recommender systems are a fantastic way to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Expand the reach of your products without increasing your marketing spend<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve user sentiment toward your brand\u2013people tend to appreciate genuinely useful recommendations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase the average subscription cash flow generated by each of your users<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By identifying relevant products for individual customers, GenAI improves customer engagement and drives revenue growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-see-the-difference-that-genai-can-make\"><strong>See the difference that GenAI can make<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>GenAI holds a world of promise for both large companies and smaller businesses in the SaaS sector.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, we\u2019ll probably look back on this moment in twenty years and all agree that these tools were the modern equivalent of the invention of the personal computer, or calculators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They truly are that important, and their positive impacts on SaaS cash flow and forecasting really are that profound.<\/p>\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 enewsletter<\/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 a roundup of our best business advice 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-84fe79b5-668d-41f8-a0cc-6229018c4ac9\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section 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-za\/blog\/tag\/accountants\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccounting 101\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-za\/blog\/tag\/artificial-intelligence\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAI\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-za\/blog\/tag\/cloud\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCloud\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-za\/blog\/tag\/cloud-technology\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcloud technology\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-76286 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-intelligence tag-data-analysis tag-financial-insights tag-making-financial-decisions tag-profit-loss tag-trending-topics business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants 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=\"1213\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/11\/HR-and-Payroll-image--1213x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/11\/HR-and-Payroll-image--684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/11\/HR-and-Payroll-image--768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2021\/11\/HR-and-Payroll-image--1213x810.jpg 1213w\" 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=\"2026-05-22T12:28:04+02:00\">May 22, 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\">9 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-za\/blog\/accounts-payable-reconciliation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tThe ultimate guide to accounts payable reconciliation\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\tAre you a business owner or part of the accounting team? Discover how to take control of accounts payable reconciliation and optimise your payment process.\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-76271 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-intelligence tag-data-analysis tag-profit-loss tag-trending-topics business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/accrued-expenses-vs-accounts-payable\/\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/07\/GettyImages-1252669747-2-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"people in office\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/07\/GettyImages-1252669747-2-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/07\/GettyImages-1252669747-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/07\/GettyImages-1252669747-2-1440x810.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=\"2026-05-22T11:35:30+02:00\">May 22, 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\tAccrued expenses vs accounts payable: Key differences\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-76206 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-intelligence tag-financial-insights tag-profit-loss business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/accrual-basis-accounting\/\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1316107530-1215x810.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=\"2026-05-15T12:46:05+02:00\">May 15, 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\">16 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\tAccrual accounting: What it is, benefits and examples\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-76152 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-management tag-financial-insights tag-making-financial-decisions tag-profit-loss business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/accounts-receivable-turnover-ratio-how-to-calculate-it\/\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1459190037-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1459190037-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1459190037-768x512.jpg 768w, 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card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-76147 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accountants tag-bookkeeping tag-business-intelligence tag-business-management business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/accounts-payable-vs-notes-payable\/\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-39-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-39-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-39-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-39-1064x810.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\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=\"2026-05-01T16:40:08+02:00\">May 1, 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\">9 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\tNotes payable vs accounts payable: Differences and examples\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>Discover how GenAI can revolutionize your finance processes with better predictions and increased cash flow. Read our blog to find out more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1433,"featured_media":71267,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","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":[28],"tags":[294,161,318,384],"business_type":[3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[],"imagine_tag":[52,64,84],"coauthors":[479],"class_list":["post-71509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","tag-accountants","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-cloud","tag-cloud-technology","business_type-medium-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-za","author_name":"David Appel","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1457297900.jpg","imagine_tags":{"52":"Accounting software","64":"Cloud accounting","84":"Midsized business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice South Africa","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1433"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71509"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71509\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/71267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=71509"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=71509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}