Accounts payable automation has become a necessity for finance teams looking to save time and reduce errors. Your invoices are digitized, and your approval workflows are automated — but if your AP process ends when an invoice is approved, your team is still doing manual work and leaving efficiency on the table.
Automation often stops at the invoice approval stage, resulting in disconnected and manual vendor payments. True AP automation goes beyond approval to include payments, offering greater efficiency, risk reduction, and stronger ROI.
The pitfalls of stopping at invoice approval
If your AP process only goes as far as approving invoices, your team is still stuck with:
- Manual payment files – Finance teams often push files into separate systems or banks, creating opportunities for errors.
- Limited visibility – Without integration into payments, it’s hard to track vendor spend or ensure accurate payments.
- Compliance gaps – Disconnected processes increase the risk of late payments, missed Nacha Operating Rules and Guidelines, and fraud.
Automation that stops at approval is only half the journey. The real impact is delivered when you follow through.
What are the benefits of smarter AP payments?
Error reduction and compliance – Integrating the payment process with the rest of AP reduces human error, improves compliance, and minimizes fraud. It also ensures that every vendor is paid accurately and on time.
Stronger vendor relationships and timely payments – On-time payments help you build stronger vendor relationships and avoid costly late fees. Vendors who know they’ll be paid on time are more likely to offer favorable terms.
Real-time visibility and reporting – When payments are connected to the Workday platform, finance teams gain real-time visibility into cash flow, vendor spend, and approval bottlenecks, without toggling between systems.
Modern AP automation in action
OneSource Virtual (OSV)’s invoice pay bridges the gap between invoice approval and vendor payments through:
- Seamless Workday integration – Invoice pay operates within your Workday application. Once an invoice is approved, you can select which ones you want to pay, with no file exports or manual uploads.
- Flexible payment options – You can pay vendors via ACH, check, or virtual card while maintaining full control over timing and method selection.
- Built-in compliance and fraud protection – Every payment includes automated compliance checks, fraud screening, and secure remittance data that flows back into Workday as your single source of truth.
- Named specialist support – Your dedicated OSV specialist acts as an extension of your team, keeping suppliers updated and resolving issues quickly without burdening your AP staff.
Elevating ROI through smarter payments
Invoice approval creates efficiency, but payment automation creates measurable ROI. When payments flow automatically from Workday without manual file pushes or bank uploads, AP teams reduce errors, eliminate late fees, and improve cash flow predictability. Vendors get paid on time, finance gets real-time visibility into obligations, and organizations minimize compliance risks tied to NACHA rules and fraud exposure.
With invoice pay, AP teams replace fragmented, manual payment work with a streamlined, fully connected workflow that finally delivers the return organizations expect from automation
Ready to complete your AP transformation? Schedule a demo to see invoice pay in action.
Payment automation isn't just about closing the loop — it's where the real ROI of AP automation begins.
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