--- title: Digitize Accounts Payable Payments...Join The Movement! url: https://www.medius.com/blog/digitize-accounts-payable-paymentsjoin-the-movement/ updated: 2026-07-27T18:48:31Z --- [Back to Blog](https://www.medius.com/blog/) Accounts Payable 9.19.2025 # Digitize accounts payable payments: why 2025 is the year to go all in Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. The true cost of checks 3. The benefits of e-payments 4. Automation and AI: powering the next generation of AP 5. Virtual cards: turning AP into a profit center 6. AP’s expanding role in finance strategy 7. Time to join the movement 8. Turn payments into a strategic part of AP with Medius Hear what's covered in this article: * * * In 2025, paper checks are not just outdated; they are a liability. **With 68.3% of enterprise payments now made electronically** through ACH, [virtual cards](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/payment-automation-virtual-cards/ "Payment Automation Virtual Cards"), and supplier payment networks, the momentum is undeniable. Businesses that still rely on checks are exposing themselves to unnecessary costs, fraud risks, and operational inefficiencies at a time when finance leaders are pushing for automation, intelligence, and speed. ## The true cost of checks Industry data makes it clear that checks remain one of the most expensive ways to pay suppliers. From paper, printing, and postage to time lost in reconciliation, organizations waste thousands each month on processes that digital payments can eliminate. According to Ardent Partners, the average enterprise spends $12.88 per invoice to process payments. **Best-in-class AP teams, those leveraging automation and e-payments, have driven that number down to just 2.78 dollars per invoice.** Multiply that difference across thousands of invoices, and the savings are substantial. ## The benefits of e-payments The shift to [e-payments](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/ "Medius Payments") is not just about cutting costs. It is about transforming AP into a strategic advantage. According to [Ardent Partners’ "Metrics that Matter,"](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ardent-partners-accounts-payable-metrics-that-matter/ "Ardent Partners’ Accounts Payable Metrics that Matter") top-performing enterprises that prioritize core processes and extensively use ePayables solutions **achieve invoice processing costs that are up to 80% lower**. Simply put, e-payments offer both financial and operational benefits, helping businesses manage working capital better, build stronger supplier relationships, and stay protected against rising fraud risks. ## Automation and AI: powering the next generation of AP What makes this moment unique is how automation and AI are amplifying the value of e-payments. Today, 61% of AP leaders say [AI and machine learning](https://www.medius.com/ai-innovation/ "Innovation and AI") are the most game-changing technologies for their function. Already, **best-in-class teams are hitting touchless processing rates of nearly 50%**, meaning invoices are received, matched, and paid without human intervention. By embedding payments into integrated AP automation platforms, organizations gain real-time visibility, streamlined reconciliation, and the ability to scale globally without scaling headcount. ## Virtual cards: turning AP into a profit center Among digital payment methods, virtual cards are gaining the fastest traction. These secure, single-use payment methods not only reduce fraud exposure but also generate rebates, typically around 1 to 1.25 percent of spend. With the global virtual card market projected to reach $14.6 trillion in 2029, this is a revenue stream AP teams can no longer afford to ignore. ![two men and a woman working late by computer](https://www.medius.com/media/u30ggxwl/coworkers_discussing_issue.jpg?rmode=max&width=372&height=0&v=1d99261e6f88530) For [large enterprises](https://www.medius.com/solutions/company-size/enterprise/ "Enterprise"), the math adds up quickly. Millions in AP spend redirected through virtual cards can translate into six or seven-figure annual rebates**.** ## AP’s expanding role in finance strategy The modern AP department is no longer just a back-office function. 65% of AP teams now actively support treasury and cash management, helping to optimize payment timing and working capital. Even more telling, 37% of CFOs directly review and approve AP’s strategic plans, a signal that AP is firmly embedded in enterprise finance strategy. By adopting e-payments, [AP teams](https://www.medius.com/solutions/for-your-role/ap-managers/ "AP Managers") position themselves not just as processors of transactions but as strategic partners driving efficiency, intelligence, and value creation. ## Time to join the movement Paper checks have had their day. In 2025, the real opportunity lies in fully integrated e-payments, a foundation for AP departments to cut costs, reduce risk, speed up cycles, and unlock new revenue streams. For organizations still clinging to checks, the message is clear. It is not just about saving money; it is about keeping pace with a financial landscape that is digital, intelligent, and strategic. It is time to leave paper behind and transform your AP function with integrated e-payments. ## Turn payments into a strategic part of AP with Medius Accounts payable is more than processing invoices. It’s **controlling and optimizing payments**. With [Medius](https://www.medius.com/solutions/ "Solutions"), your AP team can automate everything from invoice capture to secure payment execution, all in one unified platform. Virtual cards, ACH, and global payment support make it easy to reduce costs, lower fraud risk, and even earn rebates, all while keeping your team focused on strategy, not paperwork. [Book a Demo](https://www.medius.com/book-a-demo/ "Book a Demo") Download **The State of AP in 2026: AI Rising** report to explore more benchmarks, AI insights and strategies from Ardent Partners and learn how leading AP teams are transforming payments as part of their total accounts payable roadmap. [Download the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ardent-partners-state-of-epayables/ "Ardent Partners State of ePayables") [!\[Ardent Partners’ The State of AP 2026 report cover\](https://www.medius.com/media/yijhnxw3/resource-menu-ardent-partners-state-of-ap-2026.png?rmode=max&width=372&height=0&v=1dd187fe9eba270)](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ardent-partners-state-of-ap/) *Sources: Ardent Partners, Accounts Payable Metrics That Matter in 2025, Ardent Partners & Medius, State of ePayables 2025* [Juniper Research](https://www.juniperresearch.com/press/b2b-spending-to-dominate-global-virtual-cards-marke) #### The Financial Professional Census Explore hurdles facing finance professionals today and learn how to overcome them in our research-backed Financial Professional Census report. [Get the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/financial-professional-census-report-2024/ "Financial Professional Census Report 2024") #### Ardent Partners' State of AP in 2026 AI is changing what AP teams can do, and fast. Get leading analysts at Ardent Partners' take on where the industry is headed. [Get the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ardent-partners-state-of-ap/ "Ardent Partners State of AP") #### Webinar: Preparing for agentic AI in AP In this webinar with SSON, see how leading finance teams are moving from automation to autonomous AP, with real governance built in. [Watch the webinar](https://www.medius.com/resources/events-and-webinars/through-trust-and-governance-sson/ "Through trust and governance SSON") #### Discover accounts payable benchmarks Learn the efficiency metrics that matter for AP teams and the benchmarks derived from thousands of Medius customers around the globe. [Get the report](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ap-benchmark-report/ "AP Benchmark Report") #### Watch a demo Get a first-hand look at Medius AP Automation, Analytics, and Pay with our 13-minute product demo. [Watch now](https://www.medius.com/watch-a-demo/#recorded "Watch a demo") ## Related Posts [8.7.2026 AP Automation Why manufacturing invoice matching creates so many exceptions](https://www.medius.com/blog/why-manufacturing-invoice-matching-creates-so-many-exceptions/) [8.6.2026 AP Automation Why global expansion creates AP complexity faster than expected](https://www.medius.com/blog/why-global-expansion-creates-ap-complexity-faster-than-expected/) [8.6.2026 AP Automation How can manufacturers improve invoice matching and PO matching?](https://www.medius.com/blog/how-can-manufacturers-improve-invoice-matching-and-po-matching/) [8.6.2026 AP Automation What happens when invoice matching fails in manufacturing?](https://www.medius.com/blog/what-happens-when-invoice-matching-fails-in-manufacturing/) [8.4.2026 AP Automation Best AP automation software for automated invoice matching](https://www.medius.com/blog/best-ap-automation-software-for-automated-invoice-matching/) [8.4.2026 AP Automation Choosing the best AP automation software for complex approval workflows](https://www.medius.com/blog/choosing-the-best-ap-automation-software-for-complex-approval-workflows/) Previous Next [View All Posts](https://www.medius.com/blog/) ## Ready to transform your AP? 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