In This Article:
TL;DR
If you’re short on time, here’s what you need to know:
- If payments are going out and vendors are getting paid, it’s easy to assume AP is fine — but that assumption is often where the biggest inefficiencies hide
- One $40M company was running 600 checks per month, paying six figures in manual payment costs, with no rebate strategy and significant fraud exposure
- Modern AP in Business Central automates payment execution, enables virtual card rebates, and centralizes global payments in one platform
- AP doesn’t just spend money — with the right strategy, it can generate it
- TMC integrates AP automation directly into Business Central with partners like Corpay for native, ERP-first workflows
- Bottom line: If your AP process isn’t generating value, it’s likely draining it
If your payments are going out and vendors are getting paid, it’s easy to assume everything is fine.
But as highlighted in TMC’s recent webinar with Corpay, that assumption is often where the biggest inefficiencies hide.
The “Everything Is Fine” Trap
One mid-market company processing $40M in annual AP spend appeared to be running smoothly — until a deeper look revealed:
- 600 checks per month
- Six-figure annual costs tied to manual payments
- No rebate strategy
- Fraud exposure through email approvals
- Manual international payments with poor FX rates
Consequently, nothing was broken — but everything was expensive.
Where AP Inefficiencies Add Up
In contrast to what many finance teams assume, common AP issues include:
- High cost per check ($3–$10 vs. <$1 optimized)
- Missed rebate opportunities from virtual cards
- Lack of visibility into payment timing
- Fragmented workflows across bank portals
- Exposure to fraud and spoofing
What Modern AP Looks Like in Business Central
Modern AP automation in Business Central replaces manual processes with embedded workflows:
- Automated payment execution inside BC
- Virtual card adoption for rebates
- Centralized payment visibility
- Global payments in one platform
- Built-in fraud controls
As a result, finance teams gain control over payments instead of just processing them.
From Cost Center to Revenue Generator
The biggest mindset shift? AP doesn’t just spend money — it can generate it.
The Financial Impact
Furthermore, with optimized payment strategies:
- Check costs drop immediately
- Rebates create new revenue streams
- FX leakage is reduced
- Fraud risk is minimized
Why TMC
TMC integrates AP automation directly into Business Central, working with partners like Corpay to deliver:
What TMC Delivers
- Native, ERP-first workflows
- One vendor for Microsoft + payments ecosystem
- Phased implementation with immediate ROI
Ultimately, if your AP process isn’t generating value, it’s likely draining it.
Ready to optimize your AP process? Contact TMC today → and let’s talk about what smarter payments look like for your organization.