Business Automation Results In Robust Virtual AP And Virtual Cards

Transparency And Efficiency Highlighted In Virtual AP

As cash management practices progress and the economy becomes increasingly globalized, it was only a matter of time before automation took over bank accounts and credit cards. The long and short of it is that automation is more efficient and more accurate than manual management — two things that are very important in finance. Traditionally, the accounts payable (AP) process has been managed manually, an approach that is both tedious and prone to error. The lack of efficiencies in the laborious systems often led to enormous risks and even bigger implications in the event of human error. Consequently, the transition from human resources to automation has been welcomed on many levels. Virtual AP solutions are capable of optimizing payables with transparency, expediency and accuracy.

What Is Virtual AP?

Robust AP solutions, such as the electronic payments solutions offered by WEX, have the ability to leverage payments, data and technology. Transitioning to safe and secure electronic payments is designed to lower cost, mitigate risk, and optimize discount administration and buyer/supplier collaboration.

These virtual AP solutions reduce manual processing costs and improve invoice reconciliation reducing time spent on these tasks and therefore allowing fiscal savings to be made. With a bank agnostic framework, the payment is streamlined which saves time and eliminates external inefficiencies.

The increased controls and visibility offered by a virtual AP system helps to mitigate risk internally and prevents potential fraud externally. By implementing these systems and tools, your financial supply chain will achieve margin improvements and discount advantages from optimized payables.

The advantages that come along with implementing a virtual AP program benefit the buyer as well as the supplier in the B2B payable structure. Here’s how:

Buyer Gets:

• Direct cost savings
• Discount capture
• Self-secure execution
• Payment transmission
• Flexible payment options
• Financial transparency

Supplier Gets:

• Flexible payment options
• Electronic settlements
• Timely payment options
• Safe-secure acceptance
• Remittance information

Virtual AP providers often develop strategic partnerships with payment companies like Mastercard® in offering a payment solution, enhanced by the power and credibility of the Mastercard payment network that offer an already efficient and seamless way to pay for invoice-based spend. These virtual AP programs go much further than the traditional models, providing more flexibility and a variety of options, as well as the security and efficiencies expected from virtual cards.

Buyers want an efficient and seamless way to pay their suppliers for invoice-based spend, and are most likely to get that service by using virtual cards. Virtual cards offer buying companies access to broad acceptance via the Mastercard payment network, along with highly customizable security controls. This, coupled with strategic supplier enablement, can facilitate accelerated supplier participation for maximum program results.

A virtual AP system can manage expenses with the following benefits:

• Flexible Issuing Options: One-time or recurring virtual payments through a secure web portal
• Easy Reconciliation: Easy to coordinate and manage purchases with a robust and accessible account management portal
• Seamless ERP Integration: Easy integration with existing GL accounting systems to save even more time and avoid errors
• Better Data Visibility: Real-time access to transaction information and reporting flexibility through the AP web portal
• Multi-Channel Supplier Enablement: Comprehensive campaign strategy and execution through a dedicated supplier enablement team to maximize program enrollment

Virtual AP Allows For Comprehensive Integration And Complete Terms Management

Almost all companies use some form of an ERP (accounting) system to help manage AP – and they want a seamless way to process their payables liabilities, regardless of payment type (check, ACH, card). While very few financial institutions or third-party software providers offer a seamless and automated way to support these payments, smart integrated payables solutions can provide a comprehensive way to process supplier payments, regardless of payment type.

3 ways integrated payables can optimize payment:

1. Multiple forms of electronic payment: Virtual cards, ACH, SIP, check
2. Fully automated file transfers
3. Closed loop reconciliation

At the same time, as businesses seek to improve cash flow, supplier terms management can be a valuable strategy to improving and optimizing the cash conversion cycle, which can ultimately help improve both the income statement and balance sheet. Virtual AP and managed payables solutions can leverage the value of terms management by delivering a seamlessly integrated, fully automated solution using all payment modalities – including virtual cards, EFT with discount administration, or check – that will connect buyers with their suppliers through a simple pay file integration. Managed payables reduce manual processing and facilitates comprehensive supplier/terms management to maximize margin improvement, efficiency and control for powerful payment optimization.

5 ways managed payables can optimize payment:

1.Multiple forms of electronic payment: Including EFT with discount and check with Positive Pay
2.Buyer initiated pay and supplier initiated pay virtual account payments
3.Complete terms management
4.Single payment file
5.Full payment optimization

Virtual payments are one of the primary solutions that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the AR and AP process. A virtual card number (VCN) represents the details of the remitter and typically translates that information for the corporate customer’s account statement.

The number of benefits that virtual payments offer are significant. Here are the most recognized advantages and why corporations are adopting the payment method:

• A VCN provider information to facilitate the automatic reconciliation of payments, saving time compared to manual reconciliation. This also reduces the number of disputed entries and allows for better settlement processes and thereby a reduction in the number of debtor days.
• The minimal amount of manual inputs not only reduces error rates, but also improves debtor management and cash flow for the company.
• The electronic processing of invoices and payments facilitates improved operational efficiencies.
• Printing resources requirements are reduced, causing less wastage.

Electronic payments, transfers and automatic deposits are not just for the convenience of the consumer. Businesses can take advantage of these electronic payments for all the reasons that virtual AP offers, including lower processing cost, internal control with automated account reconciliation and mitigated risk by alleviating the paperwork.

While VCNs are a fairly new method of payment within the context of business payables, corporations are seeing the benefit of using VCNs in place of ACH payments and checks. A recent article in Forbes stated that according to multiple finance experts, virtual cards could eventually become ubiquitous in the B2B environment, and for good reason. Virtual cards are cheaper to process than paper checks or ACH, they are also considerably more secure and can in some case provide cash back or rebates to generate revenue.

“Virtual credit cards generate cash rebates for the companies that use them, while also adding an enhanced level of security and fraud protection to the accounts payable process,” says Tom Rogers, CEO of Vendor Centric, a consulting firm that helps companies manage and mitigate risk from working with their vendors.

New Way Of Mobile Payment Systems, Paying With Smartphone

WEX saw the potential, ease and increased security in virtual cards allowing for instant-issue VCNs, a unique single-use card number with a specific amount, expiration date, and merchant category. They also provide the opportunity for repeatable payments to a single merchant. Virtual card payments easily integrate with existing AP processes to significantly improve efficiencies for both the company and the suppliers by simplifying the payment process. With virtual cards and on-demand payment capabilities, suppliers can benefit from the following:

• Instantly issue via secure web portal and email payment details direct to suppliers for easier, faster processing
• Safeguard transaction information with encrypting technology
• Greater visibility through real-time updates and reporting flexibility
• Easily reconcile purchases with online account management and gain access to real-time updates and customized reporting
• Broad supplier acceptance via the Mastercard payment network where offered

Sources:
A New Era In Digital Banking: Virtual Account Management

Virtual Accounts. The Panacea For Accounts Receivables!

How Can Virtual Accounts Streamline Your Collections?

5 Things You Should Know About Virtual Credit Cards