Accounts Payable: 5 Ways to Cut Costs and Save Time

Posted on 2/23/2026, 2:34:40 PM

Managing accounts payable is difficult enough without it costing you additional time, money, and stress. 

Yet that’s often what it feels like. Not only do we have to manage the outgoings, but the actual process of paying can often take up much more time and money than we’d like it to.

This usually happens when we let accounts payable processes develop naturally. By taking control, businesses can keep costs in check, reduce admin time, and even, in some cases, potentially save money on the cost of invoices. 

Make the Most of Early Payment Options

Businesses want their invoices to be paid as soon as possible, and many of them are willing to offer small discounts to make it happen. It’s worth checking the terms of your supplier’s invoices to see if they offer incentives for early payment. It’s not uncommon for businesses to offer discounts of 1-2% if the invoice is paid within the first week.

If they don’t offer that incentive, then ask. Some suppliers are happy to come to the negotiation table because they understand the importance of getting their invoices paid promptly. 

Print Your Own Checks — And Speed Up The Sending Process 

Pre-printed checks are generally viewed as more convenient, but the ease with which businesses can print their own checks these days means that no longer holds true. Pre-printed checks are also significantly more expensive and are generally viewed as less secure than printing your own checks using blank check stock. If you’re sending a lot of checks, then blank check stock is the way to go. Using pressure seal checks can also speed up the sending process, since it removes the need to actively place checks in envelopes. While that might make only a marginal difference if you just need to send a couple of checks, it can offer a lot of efficiency if you’re sending out checks in bulk. 

Streamline the Approval Process

Businesses can waste a lot of time manually processing invoices, which is a process that is more likely to result in errors. Using AP automation software helps to significantly speed up the invoice-to-pay process, helping to reduce costs and enhance staff productivity. You’ll need to spend some time finding the right AP automation software for your business, but once you have it, you should find that you never look back. 

Set Aside Specific Time To Handle The Tasks

Sending checks on an ad-hoc basis takes up a lot more time than if they’re sent in batch runs. Smaller operations that don’t have the need to invest in AP automation software will find that it’s better to do batch check runs once or twice a week at specific times. 

Know When to Outsource

While many businesses can manage their accounts payable effectively in-house by making a few adjustments, there are scenarios in which it can be worthwhile to outsource to another company. If you find yourself spending a lot of time with AP but don’t need full in-house AP infrastructure, then handing the job over to another company is recommended.