Simplify Accounts Payable for Educational Institutions

Earlier this year, the U.S. Postal Service posted a warning about mailing paper checks, citing an alarming rise in mail fraud. While mail theft has doubled, so have reports of check fraud, with 680,000 reports in 2022, up from 300,000 in 2021.

In today’s interconnected world, where digital transactions have become increasingly prevalent in business operations, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. As technology advances, so do the tactics of cyberattackers who seek to exploit companies’ vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive financial information. 

Vendors and suppliers are the lifeblood of any business, playing a pivotal role in its success. They provide the goods and services necessary for companies to operate efficiently and meet customer demands. 

It might (or might not) surprise you that many B2B businesses are still using outdated payment methods like paper checks for their accounts payable (AP) processes. In fact, according to a study from PYMNTS, “25% of B2B payments are made via paper checks.”

The economic uncertainty of 2021 has offered the opportunity for many companies to focus on process improvement and organizational efficiencies. An overhaul of Accounts Payable (AP) and invoice processing can seem daunting, but it is worth researching given new technology that can provide measurable cost and time savings.

Small to medium businesses (SMB) across the U.S. are still feeling the ripple effects of the pandemic with supply chain issues, rising interest rates, growing inflation and uncertain economic conditions. As we approach 2023, inflation is the primary concern. Thirty-seven percent of Main Street SMB decision-makers cite it as their greatest worry, and it doesn’t look to be going away anytime soon.

Payment fraud has been rising for years as fraud schemes become easier to execute. The increased reliance on digital platforms, processes and payments has given fraudsters more ways to commit crimes. Studies show that in 2023, businesses’ cost of fraud could rise by $7 billion, bringing the total to $48 billion. With such staggering predictions, taking the necessary precautions to mitigate these attempts is essential.

REPAY partnered with a Florida school system to optimize its payments to vendors. As one of the largest public school systems in the United States, the system has over 270,000 students across 300 schools and educational centers.

Organizations are under immense pressure to do more with less in today’s economy. After relying on traditional business processes and legacy systems for years, they’re now having to step out of their comfort zones in search of ways to enhance operations and cut costs.