Billtrust, the enabler of B2B accounts receivable workflow and payment software, announced the results of a Wakefield Research study showing that artificial intelligence is a must-have for accounts receivable teams. As AI becomes embedded in AR workflows, it enables companies to accelerate payments, “unlock liquidity, and scale operations in a volatile economic environment.”
Commissioned by Billtrust, the lates research study has surveyed 500 finance decision makers at North American firms with revenue of more than $250 million. It found that 99% of companies currently “using AI have reduced their average days sales outstanding (DSO), with 75% reporting a reduction of six days or more.”
These findings highlight AI’s expanding role in helping finance professionals accelerate payment cycles, “enhance cash flow predictability, and scale operations without increasing headcount.”
Other key findings include:
- 82% scaled operations by 11% or more without adding staff.
- 43% saw improved cash flow predictability and stability.
- 90% believe their AR process will struggle to scale without AI.
The report highlights how AI is being used “to automate labor-intensive tasks and enable strategic financial planning.” Main use cases include “anomaly detection, confidence-based cash application, real-time credit monitoring, and predictive payment forecasting.”
Despite adoption, with 94% of firms now using or experimenting with AI in AR, barriers and challenges persist. Integration challenges, outdated systems, and lack of internal AI skillsets “are slowing full implementation.”
Notably, 89% of respondents believe they “won’t fully capitalize on AI’s benefits until their teams shift their mindset, demonstrating that employee buy-in, training, and a provider versed in services that can help overcome AI inhibitions are critical.”
The research also reveals a nuanced view of AI’s role in AR:
- 29% see AI as essential with safeguards.
- 40% support significant use within defined limits.
- 26% prefer AI only in specific cases with human oversight.
- 4% oppose AI in AR altogether.
Still, optimism prevails as “71% plan to increase AI investment in AR over the next year, with active users even more likely to boost spending.”
As covered, finance professionals choose Billtrust to get paid, control costs, and maximize customer satisfaction. As a B2B accounts receivable workflow and payment software market participant, they provide brands with AI-powered solutions to satisfy their buyers across the AR lifecycle—”from invoice presentment to payment application.”
With more than $1 trillion invoice dollars reportedly processed, Billtrust says that it provides business value via industry expertise and a culture “focused on meaningful customer outcomes.”
