Where do you fall on the AP automation maturity curve?
Accounts Payable (AP) teams are under increasing pressure to improve speed, accuracy, and control, all while reducing costs and compliance risks. For many organizations, AP remains a highly manual function, but the rise of automation and AI-powered tools offers a transformative opportunity.
Understanding the AP automation maturity curve
The AP maturity curve outlines the typical stages an organization progresses through on the journey from manual invoice processing to autonomous, AI-powered operations. These stages help finance professionals:
- Diagnose their current performance
- Set realistic improvement targets
- Understand what "best-in-class" looks like
- Communicate automation goals across the business
Characteristics
Paper-based invoicing, manual data entry, disconnected systems
Challenges
Long cycle times, high error rates, limited visibility, frequent late payments
Indicators
- Invoice processing cost: $10–$15 per invoice
- Invoice processing time: 10–14+ days
- Touchless processing: 0%
Characteristics
Some processes digitized (e.g., PDFs, email invoices), but still little automation
Challenges
Exception handling still manual, limited analytics, inconsistent vendor data
Indicators
- Reliance on basic OCR
- 25%–50% of invoices require manual intervention
Characteristics
Cloud-based AP platforms, standard workflows, integration with ERP systems
Opportunities
- Faster approvals
- Reduced mismatches
- Better vendor collaboration
Indicators
- Invoice processing cost: $4–$6
- Touchless processing: 40–60%
- Invoice cycle time: 5–7 days
Characteristics
Robust reporting, intelligent invoice matching, predictive analytics for cash flow
Advantages
- Forecasting AP spend
- Anomaly detection
- Dynamic approval routing
Indicators
- High accuracy rates (98%+)
- Touchless processing: 70–80%
- Cost per invoice: $2–$4
Characteristics
End-to-end automation, AI-led decision-making, continuous learning systems
Advantages
- “First Time Right” invoice matching > 99%
- Exception resolution without human intervention
- Strategic AP as a value driver
Indicators
- Invoice processing time: < 2 days
- Cost per invoice: <$2
- Touchless rate: 85–95%
Benchmarking your maturity level
To assess your organization’s maturity, measure performance across key AP benchmarks:
| METRIC | INDUSTRY STANDARD | BEST-IN-CLASS  |
| Invoice Processing Time | 5.61 days | 0.98 days |
| Invoice Cost* | $9.84 – $12.42 | $2.65 |
| Touchless Rate | 63.1% | 99.3% |
| First Time Right (FTR) | 97.5% | 99.1% |
*Invoice processing cost as reported in Ardent Partners’ “The State of ePayables 2025: AP’s Unfinished Journey”
Want to know how your AP team stacks up against industry leaders? Our AP benchmark report gives you real performance data on invoice cycle times, cost per invoice, and more, so you can see where you stand and where to improve.
Signs you’re stuck in lower maturity
If you're unsure where you stand, here are warning signs that suggest your AP process is lagging:
- Heavy reliance on manual data entry
- Frequent mismatches and invoice exceptions
- Lack of visibility into spend and performance
- Delayed payments impacting vendor relationships
- High cost per invoice
How to move up the curve
Reaching the next level of maturity requires a combination of strategy, process change, and technology investment. Key steps include:
Secure executive sponsorship
Ensure leadership support from finance or procurement to champion AP transformation.
Invest in smart technology
Adopt solutions that go beyond basic OCR. Medius, for example, uses AI to intelligently match invoices, detect anomalies, and route exceptions.
Improve data quality
Standardize invoice formats and enforce vendor compliance. Poor data quality is one of the biggest blockers to automation.
Establish clear KPIs
Set performance targets for touchless rates, invoice accuracy, and processing time. Use these to monitor progress and refine workflows.
Use a maturity assessment toolkit
Leverage resources like Medius’s AP Maturity Toolkit to evaluate your current state and receive tailored improvement strategies.
How Medius supports every stage
Whether you’re just beginning your automation journey or aiming for full autonomy, Medius helps you:
- Eliminate manual entry with intelligent invoice capture
- Reduce errors with AI-powered matching and validation
- Accelerate approvals with automated routing
- Improve cash flow visibility with real-time dashboards
- Meet audit and compliance standards effortlessly
Medius doesn’t just digitize your processes, it transforms them.
Ready to find out where you stand?
Assess your organization’s position on the AP Maturity Curve and discover the fastest path to AP excellence.
Use our free AP Maturity Toolkit to get a personalized assessment and roadmap to automation.
