--- title: Is Your Company Big Enough to Benefit from AP Automation? url: https://www.medius.com/blog/is-your-company-big-enough-to-benefit-from-ap-automation/ updated: 2025-03-04T05:02:50Z --- [Back to Blog](https://www.medius.com/blog/) Accounts Payable 9.22.2022 # Is Your Company Big Enough to Benefit from AP Automation? Save big with AP automation software for small businesses. Accounts Payable (AP) looks different for every business. Large corporations have entire departments to manage a broad range of AP processing responsibilities. Small businesses may have just one person managing AP related tasks. That said, businesses of any size and structure experience similar challenges managing cash flow. Manual data entry, paper invoicing and workflow overload can lead to errors. That is especially true for small businesses, where you risk one person having too much on their plate. AP automation software is a great way for small businesses to reduce errors, save money, and free up workload associated with invoice management. This article explains how. ## What makes AP automation worth it? How many invoices do you process per month? Most models estimate the [average cost per invoice](https://www.medius.com/blog/how-much-does-cost-process-invoice-where-you-save/ "How much does it cost to process an invoice – and where can you save?") is about $10. While time and wages are obvious factors, there are a number of hidden factors contributing to this cost: Workflow inefficiency and human errors are major factors. AP automation increases workflow efficiency by reducing cost and errors associated with manual invoice processing. [AP automation saves money for small businesses](https://www.medius.com/blog/5-ways-to-cut-ap-costs-during-rising-inflation/ "5 Ways to Cut AP Costs During Rising Inflation") by eliminating manual, time-consuming paper-based processes. Automating AP processes reduces costs associated with late payments and data entry errors. It frees up time for other money-making business goals. This is especially true for very small businesses and sole proprietorships that rely on a lean workforce. ## Is your business big enough for AP automation? Small businesses tend to process AP manually because paying someone else to do it can be expensive—but it doesn’t have to be. AP automation software costs significantly less than outsourcing accounts payable or hiring someone else to do it. Automating AP processes may seem daunting for small businesses. If you have a lean workforce and tight cash flow, you might think you’re saving money by doing it yourself. How many invoices do you process per month? How much time does it take? AP automation can save you hundreds of hours and [thousands of dollars spent on invoice processing](https://www.medius.com/blog/how-much-does-cost-process-invoice-where-you-save/ "How much does it cost to process an invoice – and where can you save?"). AP automation also improves cash flows by reducing [mistakes and fraud in accounts payable processes](https://www.medius.com/resources/ "Resources"). Using AP automation software enables tracking and data analytics related to invoicing. Software like [Medius Analytics](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-analytics/ "Medius Analytics") increases visibility into business cash flows. With better visibility, you can identify opportunities for early payment discounts, spot process bottlenecks, and improve sales forecasting. ## Why choose Medius for small business AP automation? ### Increase AP process efficiency Do you spend too much time on invoice and payment processing? [AP automation software](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-accounts-payable-automation/ "Medius Accounts Payable Automation")increases efficiency by automatically processing everything. This enables you to allocate time and resources to other business areas. Additionally, Medius eliminates financial losses caused by human error and inaccuracy. ### Fraud protection A recent study found nearly [40% of businesses are impacted by fraud](https://www.medius.com/resources/ "Resources"). Fraud is easily overlooked by human error, and leads to costly financial losses. Medius AP automation software automatically identifies and mitigates fraud risks. Our three-way matching automation identifies and resolves discrepancies in invoices, POs, and receivable. ### Save with data analytics Did you know that measuring key AP metrics can save you time and money? Medius’s powerful automation software analyzes spend data to determine where you can optimize working capital and save money. Automatically monitor spend data to identify missed discounts, human errors, and money movement to optimize AP performance. ### Cloud based AP processing How much time does your business spend on manual processing in-office? Many manual AP processes cannot be managed by a remote workforce. Not only does Medius automate manual processes, but our [cloud connectivity](https://www.medius.com/blog/cloud-based-accounts-payable-normal/ "Cloud-based AP automation: the new normal in accounts payable") empowers your workforce to access and process invoices remotely. Increase efficiency and ensure business continuity by accessing AP processes remotely. Additionally, cloud based AP processing reduces the risk of data loss inherent to storing data in one physical location. ### Reduce your tech stack While [Medius integrates with a wide range of business solutions](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-connect/ "Medius Connect"), you can also reduce the complexity of your AP processes by leveraging Medius’s software for all things related to cash flow. In addition to AP automation, we offer integrative solutions for following financial processes: - [Payments](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-payments/ "Medius Pay") - [Procurement](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-procurement-solutions/ "Medius Procurement Solutions") - [Sourcing](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-sourcing/ "Medius Sourcing") - [Contract Management](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-contract-management/ "Medius Contract Management") - [Supplier Management](https://www.medius.com/solutions/supplier-onboarding/ "Supplier Management") - [Data Analytics](https://www.medius.com/solutions/medius-analytics/ "Medius Analytics") ## Get started risk-free Not sure where to start? Book a free demo. We’ll guide you through your AP optimization options and narrow it down for you (no strings attached). **[BOOK A DEMO](https://www.medius.com/book-a-demo/ "Book a Demo")** Discover how to overcome four common financial hurdles and take control of your financial future. We asked 2750 finance professionals about their most common financial hurdles. Have a look at the results and see if you can relate to what we discovered. [Read the report](https://www.medius.com/ai-innovation/autonomous-accounts-payable/ "Autonomous Accounts Payable") ![hand and coins line art](https://www.medius.com/media/cwgdjida/taking_money_lineart_fire-250.png) #### 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") #### Questions about AP automation? Let's talk through it. A 30-minute conversation with a Medius expert costs you nothing and might save you a lot. Book a consult ## Related Posts [8.17.2026 Accounts Payable 5 AI-powered tactics for touchless accounts payable](https://www.medius.com/blog/five-tactics-for-peace-of-mind-touchless-accounts-payable/) [!\[focused business woman looking at computer\](https://www.medius.com/media/exkdu0tm/adobestock_126291778-red.jpg?width=340&height=245&v=1d99261d24b3f10) 8.13.2026 AP Automation The AP metrics CFOs review first when evaluating finance operations](https://www.medius.com/blog/the-ap-metrics-cfos-review-first-when-evaluating-finance-operations/) [8.12.2026 Integration Choosing the best AP automation platform for complex ERP environments](https://www.medius.com/blog/choosing-the-best-ap-automation-platform-for-complex-erp-environments/) [8.11.2026 Fraud & Risk The best AP automation platforms for strengthening payment controls](https://www.medius.com/blog/the-best-ap-automation-platforms-for-strengthening-payment-controls/) [8.10.2026 Accounts Payable Top finance and accounting conferences and events in 2026](https://www.medius.com/blog/top-finance-and-accounting-conferences-events/) [8.10.2026 AP Automation Best AP automation software for e-invoicing compliance](https://www.medius.com/blog/best-ap-automation-software-for-e-invoicing-compliance/) Previous Next [View All Posts](https://www.medius.com/blog/) ## Ready to transform your AP? [Book a Demo](https://www.medius.com/book-a-demo/ "Book a Demo") [Contact Us](https://www.medius.com/contact-us/ "Contact Us")