The future of accounts receivable is predictive, AI-driven, and integrated
In surveying 400 finance leaders from across North America, Versapay and Wakefield Research found that late payments are rising and cash flow is becoming more unpredictable. To meet the needs of this new landscape, CFOs are investing in more reliable forecasting and reporting solutions.
Jump to an insight
Artificial intelligence moves accounts receivable beyond task automation
Artificial intelligence is expected to define the next phase of accounts receivable's evolution, freeing teams from manual work and redirecting focus towards analysis, engagement and decision support.
Predicative analytics reshapes expectations
More than task automation, finance leaders are looking to AI for foresight. The ability to identify risk earlier, prioritize collections more effectively and forecast cash flow with greater confidence.
AR systems are expected to surface risks and opportunities before they materialize.
What finance leaders are looking for to justify additional investment in AR automation
As CFO’s look to invest in the next phase of accounts receivable, priorities extend beyond efficiency alone. Finance leaders are focused on improving cash flow visibility, strengthening the customer experience and enabling more confident decision making earlier in the receivables cycle.
Intelligence and AR automation adoption depends on ERP integration
To fully realize AI and predictive capabilities, AR must be deeply integrated. Fragmented systems and siloed data limit the impact of even advanced automation.
Automation improves the entire accounts receivable system
Finance leaders find that automation delivers value across the lifecycle, with the most frequently cited returns in collections and follow-up, reporting and forecasting, and cash application. The relatively narrow spread across these functions underscores a critical insight: automation is not solving a single problem — it is improving the system as a whole, enabling more predictable cash flow, fewer manual errors, and greater strategic flexibility.
2026 edition
Annual cash flow clarity report
Learn how uncertainty strains cash flow forecasts and reshapes decision-making, and see how automation restores payment predictability.
