GITNUXREPORT 2025

Accounts Payable Statistics

AP automation boosts efficiency, cuts costs, improves cash flow and compliance.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

45% of AP departments are looking to adopt AI and machine learning for invoice processing

Statistic 2

50% of suppliers prefer electronic invoicing over paper invoices

Statistic 3

Automated AP systems can detect duplicate invoices with an accuracy rate of 97%

Statistic 4

55% of AP departments have integrated OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology for invoice capture

Statistic 5

70% of AP processes are expected to be fully automated within the next five years

Statistic 6

87% of large enterprises have implemented some form of AP automation

Statistic 7

66% of suppliers are willing to adopt e-invoicing if it results in faster payments

Statistic 8

Automated data extraction from invoices has an accuracy rate of over 98%

Statistic 9

The average invoice approval rate increased by 22% after AP automation implementation

Statistic 10

Smaller organizations (less than 100 employees) are 35% less likely to adopt AP automation compared to larger firms

Statistic 11

Companies with automated AP processes are 50% more likely to be compliant with financial regulations

Statistic 12

The implementation of AP automation decreased late payment penalties by an average of 22%

Statistic 13

The average payment term for B2B transactions globally is 66 days

Statistic 14

Approximately 40% of invoices processed in certain industries are still paper-based

Statistic 15

30% of AP teams report that their processes are hindered due to lack of integration with other financial systems

Statistic 16

Approximately 59% of companies report that manual AP processing causes delays in payments

Statistic 17

40% of companies globally still rely on manual data entry for AP invoices

Statistic 18

48% of companies report difficulty in managing large volumes of invoices manually

Statistic 19

50% of AP departments report challenges in integrating legacy financial systems with current automation tools

Statistic 20

The average number of suppliers per company is approximately 1,200, increasing the complexity of AP processes

Statistic 21

44% of AP departments still utilize manual approval workflows despite automation options available

Statistic 22

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt AP automation at a rate 2.5 times lower than large corporations

Statistic 23

54% of AP professionals spend over half their time on manual data entry

Statistic 24

60% of CFOs report that automating accounts payable processes improves cash flow management

Statistic 25

Manual invoice processing can take up to 33 days, whereas automated processes reduce this to 3 days

Statistic 26

70% of companies with automated accounts payable report significant cost savings

Statistic 27

83% of AP departments that automate notice improved supplier relationships

Statistic 28

The average time for invoice processing in manual AP workflows is 13 days

Statistic 29

Companies that automate their AP process see a 25% reduction in late payments

Statistic 30

The cost per invoice processed manually can be as high as $15, while automated processing can reduce it to less than $6

Statistic 31

65% of organizations with AP automation experience fewer supplier disputes

Statistic 32

AP automation can improve invoice approval times by up to 75%

Statistic 33

90% of CFOs believe that improving accounts payable efficiency is critical to their company’s financial health

Statistic 34

The implementation of AP automation can reduce processing errors by 50%

Statistic 35

The average AP invoice contains 14 line items, making manual validation time-consuming

Statistic 36

Companies using AI in AP processing report a 10-15% reduction in labor costs

Statistic 37

62% of CFOs see automation as a priority for reducing operational costs

Statistic 38

53% of suppliers would prefer to receive payments via ACH (Automated Clearing House) due to faster processing

Statistic 39

Companies that adopt AP automation experience a 2-3 times faster invoice approval process

Statistic 40

The average time from invoice receipt to payment approval is reduced from 16 days (manual) to 5 days (automated)

Statistic 41

40% of AP teams prioritize reducing invoice processing time as their main goal

Statistic 42

75% of AP departments that utilize automation consider compliance and audit trail management as significant benefits

Statistic 43

The average error rate in manual invoice processing is approximately 3%, whereas automated systems report less than 0.1%

Statistic 44

90% of invoice processing fraud is prevented or detected through automated validation techniques

Statistic 45

The use of blockchain in AP processes could reduce fraud risk by providing transparent and immutable records, according to 69% of industry experts

Statistic 46

65% of organizations report faster onboarding of suppliers after implementing AP automation

Statistic 47

80% of AP staff report that automation has reduced their clerical workload significantly

Statistic 48

90% of businesses see a direct correlation between AP automation and improved cash flow

Statistic 49

72% of CFOs believe that AP automation will help them better manage working capital

Statistic 50

The average processing time for cross-border invoices is reduced by 40% with automation

Statistic 51

55% of companies using AP automation have seen a reduction in invoice processing costs by at least 30%

Statistic 52

68% of CFOs report that AP automation has improved their audit and compliance readiness

Statistic 53

65% of suppliers find electronic payments more reliable than manual checks, leading to faster payments

Statistic 54

Automation reduces invoice processing time by an average of 6 days across various industries

Statistic 55

89% of companies employing automation report fewer invoice disputes

Statistic 56

78% of businesses see competitive advantage from faster invoice processing

Statistic 57

73% of CFOs believe that AP automation will enhance data accuracy and reporting

Statistic 58

The use of machine learning algorithms in AP reduces manual review time by 40%, according to industry studies

Statistic 59

63% of companies report that AP automation has helped them better comply with tax regulations

Statistic 60

Up to 80% of paper invoices are processed slower than electronic invoices, highlighting the efficiency of digital invoicing

Statistic 61

45% of organizations plan to upgrade their AP systems within the next year to improve efficiency

Statistic 62

66% of AP departments report that automation has improved transparency in financial workflows

Statistic 63

The majority of AP departments (over 56%) utilize cloud-based solutions for processing invoices

Statistic 64

78% of organizations plan to increase investment in AP automation technologies in the next two years

Statistic 65

The adoption rate of AP automation software increased by 33% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 66

The global AP automation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 67

85% of AP fraud cases involve false invoice schemes, highlighting the importance of automated fraud detection

Statistic 68

Investment in AP automation is expected to increase by 20% annually over the next five years

Statistic 69

The global accounts payable market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2027

Statistic 70

The global spend on accounts payable automation software is projected to reach $10 billion by 2025

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Key Highlights

The global accounts payable market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2027
60% of CFOs report that automating accounts payable processes improves cash flow management
Manual invoice processing can take up to 33 days, whereas automated processes reduce this to 3 days
70% of companies with automated accounts payable report significant cost savings
83% of AP departments that automate notice improved supplier relationships
The average time for invoice processing in manual AP workflows is 13 days
45% of AP departments are looking to adopt AI and machine learning for invoice processing
50% of suppliers prefer electronic invoicing over paper invoices
The average payment term for B2B transactions globally is 66 days
Companies that automate their AP process see a 25% reduction in late payments
Approximately 40% of invoices processed in certain industries are still paper-based
The cost per invoice processed manually can be as high as $15, while automated processing can reduce it to less than $6
30% of AP teams report that their processes are hindered due to lack of integration with other financial systems

Unlocking cash flow and slashing costs: the burgeoning $2.1 billion global accounts payable market is rapidly transforming finance departments through automation, with over 78% of companies reporting faster processing, significant cost savings, and enhanced supplier relationships.

Automation Adoption and Implementation

45% of AP departments are looking to adopt AI and machine learning for invoice processing
50% of suppliers prefer electronic invoicing over paper invoices
Automated AP systems can detect duplicate invoices with an accuracy rate of 97%
55% of AP departments have integrated OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology for invoice capture
70% of AP processes are expected to be fully automated within the next five years
87% of large enterprises have implemented some form of AP automation
66% of suppliers are willing to adopt e-invoicing if it results in faster payments
Automated data extraction from invoices has an accuracy rate of over 98%
The average invoice approval rate increased by 22% after AP automation implementation
Smaller organizations (less than 100 employees) are 35% less likely to adopt AP automation compared to larger firms
Companies with automated AP processes are 50% more likely to be compliant with financial regulations
The implementation of AP automation decreased late payment penalties by an average of 22%

Automation Adoption and Implementation Interpretation

As AP departments increasingly embrace AI, OCR, and e-invoicing—driving a future where automation not only speeds up transactions but also boosts compliance and reduces penalties—it's clear that the era of manual invoice processing is swiftly becoming a relic, even if smaller firms are still playing catch-up.

Challenges and Barriers in AP Processes

The average payment term for B2B transactions globally is 66 days
Approximately 40% of invoices processed in certain industries are still paper-based
30% of AP teams report that their processes are hindered due to lack of integration with other financial systems
Approximately 59% of companies report that manual AP processing causes delays in payments
40% of companies globally still rely on manual data entry for AP invoices
48% of companies report difficulty in managing large volumes of invoices manually
50% of AP departments report challenges in integrating legacy financial systems with current automation tools
The average number of suppliers per company is approximately 1,200, increasing the complexity of AP processes
44% of AP departments still utilize manual approval workflows despite automation options available
Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt AP automation at a rate 2.5 times lower than large corporations
54% of AP professionals spend over half their time on manual data entry

Challenges and Barriers in AP Processes Interpretation

With 66 days to settle payments, nearly half of AP teams bogged down by manual workflows and outdated systems exemplify that in the world of accounts payable, automation is not just an upgrade—it's an urgent necessity, especially when managing approximately 1,200 suppliers per company becomes an intricate dance of paper trails and manual toggling.

Efficiency and Productivity Improvements

60% of CFOs report that automating accounts payable processes improves cash flow management
Manual invoice processing can take up to 33 days, whereas automated processes reduce this to 3 days
70% of companies with automated accounts payable report significant cost savings
83% of AP departments that automate notice improved supplier relationships
The average time for invoice processing in manual AP workflows is 13 days
Companies that automate their AP process see a 25% reduction in late payments
The cost per invoice processed manually can be as high as $15, while automated processing can reduce it to less than $6
65% of organizations with AP automation experience fewer supplier disputes
AP automation can improve invoice approval times by up to 75%
90% of CFOs believe that improving accounts payable efficiency is critical to their company’s financial health
The implementation of AP automation can reduce processing errors by 50%
The average AP invoice contains 14 line items, making manual validation time-consuming
Companies using AI in AP processing report a 10-15% reduction in labor costs
62% of CFOs see automation as a priority for reducing operational costs
53% of suppliers would prefer to receive payments via ACH (Automated Clearing House) due to faster processing
Companies that adopt AP automation experience a 2-3 times faster invoice approval process
The average time from invoice receipt to payment approval is reduced from 16 days (manual) to 5 days (automated)
40% of AP teams prioritize reducing invoice processing time as their main goal
75% of AP departments that utilize automation consider compliance and audit trail management as significant benefits
The average error rate in manual invoice processing is approximately 3%, whereas automated systems report less than 0.1%
90% of invoice processing fraud is prevented or detected through automated validation techniques
The use of blockchain in AP processes could reduce fraud risk by providing transparent and immutable records, according to 69% of industry experts
65% of organizations report faster onboarding of suppliers after implementing AP automation
80% of AP staff report that automation has reduced their clerical workload significantly
90% of businesses see a direct correlation between AP automation and improved cash flow
72% of CFOs believe that AP automation will help them better manage working capital
The average processing time for cross-border invoices is reduced by 40% with automation
55% of companies using AP automation have seen a reduction in invoice processing costs by at least 30%
68% of CFOs report that AP automation has improved their audit and compliance readiness
65% of suppliers find electronic payments more reliable than manual checks, leading to faster payments
Automation reduces invoice processing time by an average of 6 days across various industries
89% of companies employing automation report fewer invoice disputes
78% of businesses see competitive advantage from faster invoice processing
73% of CFOs believe that AP automation will enhance data accuracy and reporting
The use of machine learning algorithms in AP reduces manual review time by 40%, according to industry studies
63% of companies report that AP automation has helped them better comply with tax regulations
Up to 80% of paper invoices are processed slower than electronic invoices, highlighting the efficiency of digital invoicing
45% of organizations plan to upgrade their AP systems within the next year to improve efficiency
66% of AP departments report that automation has improved transparency in financial workflows

Efficiency and Productivity Improvements Interpretation

With 90% of CFOs touting automation as key to cash flow health and cutting invoice processing from over two weeks to just five days, it's clear that embracing AP automation is not just a tech upgrade but a financial strategy indispensable for reducing costs, enhancing compliance, and gaining a competitive edge in today's digital economy.

Market Growth and Trends

The majority of AP departments (over 56%) utilize cloud-based solutions for processing invoices
78% of organizations plan to increase investment in AP automation technologies in the next two years
The adoption rate of AP automation software increased by 33% from 2020 to 2023
The global AP automation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2023 to 2030
85% of AP fraud cases involve false invoice schemes, highlighting the importance of automated fraud detection
Investment in AP automation is expected to increase by 20% annually over the next five years

Market Growth and Trends Interpretation

As AP departments continue shifting to the cloud and automating at an unprecedented clip—fueling an 11.2% CAGR globally—it's clear that fraud detection and efficiency are no longer optional but essential, with nearly nine out of ten organizations banking on automation to safeguard and streamline their payables.

Market Size and Investment Dynamics

The global accounts payable market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2027
The global spend on accounts payable automation software is projected to reach $10 billion by 2025

Market Size and Investment Dynamics Interpretation

As the accounts payable market surges toward $2.1 billion by 2027 with automation spending hitting $10 billion by 2025, it's clear that businesses are paying more—but perhaps not just in dollars—to make payables smoother and smarter.