In a new report released on March 31, 2026, Billtrust—a provider of accounts receivable automation and payment solutions for business-to-business transactions—sheds light on how finance teams are adapting to mounting economic challenges. The analysis draws on input from 550 finance leaders navigating an unpredictable landscape marked by higher expenses, delayed customer remittances, and ongoing trade policy shifts.
The research findings underscore a clear shift toward defensive financial strategies.
Two-thirds of those surveyed noted that clients are taking longer to settle invoices compared to six months earlier.
In response, nearly half of organizations have tightened their cash-handling approaches, while almost 70 percent have postponed, scrapped, or advised against significant projects due to lingering uncertainty around the economy and regulations.
Additionally, 77 percent of survey respondents consider a downturn either probable, possible, or already affecting their industry.
Tariff-related expenses have become an entrenched factor in corporate planning.
More than three-quarters of finance professionals reported moderate to substantial cost hikes linked to recent trade adjustments.
To counter this, 85 percent have rolled out countermeasures such as adjusting pricing for buyers, relocating supply chains closer to home, revising vendor relationships, or stockpiling goods in advance.
Roughly half are now incorporating explicit tariff allowances into their financial projections for 2026 and beyond.
Despite broader concerns about overinvestment in emerging technologies, spending on artificial intelligence and process automation continues to climb.
Sixty-five percent of companies plan to direct at least 10 percent of their 2026 budgets toward these areas, with 15 percent committing more than a quarter of total resources.
Encouragingly, 79 percent have already observed tangible benefits, including sharper predictive analytics, better fraud prevention, and streamlined invoice processing.
Still, nearly six in ten executives express unease that the surge in AI expenditures could signal an unsustainable bubble.
Workforce adjustments reflect the same cautious mindset.
Over the past year, 34 percent of firms trimmed staff levels and 23 percent froze hiring.
To bridge gaps, 59 percent are turning to AI tools for support. At the same time, forecasting practices have grown more dynamic: 78 percent now examine projections at least every quarter, with many moving toward monthly or even real-time scenario modeling.
Grant Halloran, CEO of Billtrust, emphasized the dual focus on discipline and innovation.
He noted that executives are fortifying core operations while embracing modern tools to enhance flexibility.
“Leaders are building systems that can pivot quickly,” Halloran added, highlighting how combining strict cash discipline with AI-driven insights helps organizations stay responsive in uncertain times.
With over a trillion dollars in invoices processed annually, Billtrust continues to equip finance departments with intelligent platforms that accelerate collections, cut manual effort, and improve client experiences across the entire receivable cycle.
The report delves into deeper insights for professionals seeking to strengthen their financial resilience heading into the remainder of 2026 and beyond. In an era where liquidity can determine survival, the research study makes one point unmistakable: efficient cash generation is no longer optional—it is the new benchmark for competitive strength.