--- title: Are ACH Payments Becoming the Middle Ground for AP and AR? url: https://www.medius.com/blog/is-ach-becoming-the-middle-ground-for-ap-and-ar/ updated: 2025-09-16T22:11:29Z --- [Back to Blog](https://www.medius.com/blog/) Accounts Payable 9.15.2025 # ACH payments today: a reliable method in a multi-option world Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Why AP still needs digitalization 3. Why AR needs speed and predictability 4. ACH in 2025: reliable, but not alone 5. The future: multi-method payments, one seamless system Hear what's covered in this article: * * * B2B payments have come a long way. A decade ago, the big shift was simply moving away from paper checks. Today, the conversation looks very different. Finance leaders are asking how to balance **ACH, real-time payments (RTP), [virtual cards](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/payment-automation-virtual-cards/ "Payment Automation Virtual Cards"), wires, and global networks**. In this multi-rail world, **ACH remains reliable**, valued for its low cost and widespread acceptance. But in 2025, ACH isn’t the whole story. It’s part of a bigger, more strategic approach to payments. ## Why AP still needs digitalization Even with significant progress, many accounts payable (AP) teams continue to spend excessive time on manual processes, including chasing approvals, keying in invoices, or mailing paper checks. That results in higher labor costs, more risk, and less time for strategy. That’s why **[AP automation](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-accounts-payable-automation/ "Medius Accounts Payable Automation") has become a must-have**. According to [Ardent Partners’ *Accounts Payable Metrics that Matter in 2025*](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ardent-partners-accounts-payable-metrics-that-matter/ "Ardent Partners’ Accounts Payable Metrics that Matter"), best-in-class AP teams now process invoices in **3.1 day**s, compared to **17.4 days** for all others. Their **exception rates** are just **9%**, versus an industry average of **22%**. And **65% of AP teams** now play a role in corporate cash management—proof that AP has become central to financial strategy.¹ [!\[Ardent Partners’ Metrics that Matter report cover\](https://www.medius.com/media/gnhhwd3m/ardent-partners-metrics-that-matter-2025-resource-menu.png?rmode=max&width=372&height=0&v=1dbbec33c180970)](https://www.medius.com/resources/guides-reports/ardent-partners-accounts-payable-metrics-that-matter/) Automation empowers AP teams to manage and control across multiple payment methods. With a single platform, they can: - Route payments via ACH, card, RTP, or wire, depending on supplier preference - Eliminate manual errors and reduce fraud risk - Improve visibility into cash outflows - Free staff for higher-value analysis and strategy ## Why AR needs speed and predictability On the other hand, accounts receivable (AR) teams need payments to come in faster and more reliably. Slow payments increase days sales outstanding (DSO), weaken cash forecasts, and stunt growth, especially for smaller suppliers. Digital payment methods are helping close the gap. Same-day ACH, RTP, and virtual cards provide suppliers with faster funding options, while automation aligns AP and AR processes, allowing both sides to share visibility into payment status. This means fewer disputes, healthier supplier relationships, and better working capital for everyone involved. ## ACH in 2025: reliable, but not alone The benefits of ACH remain strong: **Low transaction fees** compared to card payments **Same-day and next-day settlement** for faster cash flow **Widespread adoption** across industries and geographies **Improved security** compared to paper checks But ACH isn’t the only choice anymore. RTP offers instant settlement. Virtual cards offer strong [fraud protection](https://www.medius.com/solutions/fraud-risk-detection/ "Fraud & Risk Detection") and cashback rebates. Roughly **25% of vendors already accept virtual cards**.² Wires still dominate high-value or cross-border payments. In short, ACH is the dependable middle ground, but it’s now part of a **multi-payment method toolkit** that finance leaders must manage strategically. ## The future: multi-method payments, one seamless system More than **68% of all enterprise payments are electronic**, up from 62% in 2024.³ ACH may be the anchor, but businesses increasingly expect flexibility across every payment rail. The future of B2B payments is clear: Choice matters. Suppliers want the option that best fits their cash flow. Automation is the enabler. [One platform](https://www.medius.com/solutions/ "Solutions") should manage ACH, cards, RTP, wires, and checks. Visibility drives strategy. Unified cash flow data across all rails empowers better forecasting and decision-making. ACH isn’t going away. It’s still the backbone of many B2B transactions. But the real advantage comes from integrating ACH with every other payment method in one seamless workflow. That’s how finance leaders will reduce risk, optimize working capital, and strengthen supplier relationships in the years ahead. Ready to move beyond paper and manage it all in one place? Learn how [Medius Payments](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/ "Medius Payments") helps you unify ACH, RTP, virtual cards, and more, without the manual work. * * * Sources 1. Ardent Partners, *Accounts Payable Metrics that Matter in 2025* 2. Ardent Partners, *Accounts Payable Metrics that Matter in 2025*; Ardent Partners, *AP Metrics that Matter in 2024*. #### 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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