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The invoicing process had gotten so intense for the accountant at a Tennessee insulation manufacturer that she was replacing her keyboard every six months. She kept wearing the letters off.
Then her company adopted an automated invoice solution.
Month-end close time went from five business days to two. Report time shrank to almost nothing. The company stopped needing new filing cabinets every year. And, as she put it, got to “actually be an accountant.”
Accounts payable automation can do all that for you. For small to midsize businesses, a primary value-add for automation is the ability to speed up invoice capture and payment, provide visibility into every step of the process, and free up the AP team to do the work they love.
Ah, but how do you get there if you’re mired in manual or semi-automated processes?
It can be challenging to create change if you’re not in a decision-making position. It’s especially difficult when your day job is already wearing you down to the nub. And, frankly, the idea of automation can be scary. For a lot of professionals, there’s the nagging worry that it’s going to take away their jobs.
We have some recommendations below to help you present your case, but we’re also here to encourage you to make the case – soon!
Here’s how to do that.
Fortunately, there’s a process to follow. (Disclaimer: Like any good process, it’s simple but not easy).
1. Frame the argument. You’ll need to get buy-in from your company’s financial leader (the CFO or equivalent). The main thing for them to know and for you to keep in mind is that there’s a better way for AP professionals to use their time – one that will allow you to be more strategic and create more value for the company. For example, if you’re not manually keying invoices or tracking down approvers, you can spend your time:
2. Gather data. Leadership will want to see numbers. Here are three places to start:
3. Make your pitch. Presenting to your financial leader may seem intimidating, but keep in mind that you want to help the business and leadership wants to help you. Present your argument, let them know what you’re trying to do, and suggest the solution. Once you’ve compiled the data we’ve outlined, you’ll have all the conviction and authority you’ll need to make your case.
Let them know that with automation, everybody wins.
This article originally appeared on the SAP Concur Newsroom.