GUIDES & REPORTS
Ardent Partners’ Accounts Payable Metrics That Matter in 2025
Accounts Payable (AP) continues to evolve as a strategic function, with AI, automation, and digital transformation reshaping the landscape. Medius is proud to sponsor Ardent Partners' latest research: "Accounts Payable Metrics That Matter in 2025," a comprehensive look at the industry’s most important benchmarks and trends derived from their industry-shaping research in the State of ePayables report. This report provides deep insights into how AP teams are transforming their operations, overcoming challenges, and setting new efficiency standards for the industry.
Top 3 Findings from the 2025 Report
AI & Automation Adoption
75% of AP departments now use some form of AI, streamlining operations and reducing manual effort. AI is significantly enhancing decision-making and efficiency.
Invoice Processing Speed
Best-in-Class organizations process invoices in just 3.1 days, compared to 17.4 days for others. This major improvement is attributed to increased automation and AI-driven workflows.
Exception Rates
Top-performing AP teams have a 9% invoice exception rate, significantly lower than the industry average of 22%. Reducing invoice exceptions is critical to improving overall operational efficiency.
The AP Metrics that Matter in 2025 includes further key findings from the research of Ardent Partners, including statistics on cost-savings surrounding the cost to process and single invoice as well as the shift towards electronic payment strategies, particularly over the last 5 years. Make sure to download the entire report to learn more.
What’s Driving AP’s Transformation in 2025?
The AI Revolution in AP continues to gain traction, as 61% of P2P professionals expect AI to have a transformational or significant impact on AP operations this year. AI is being integrated across multiple AP functions, including capturing invoice data, detecting fraud and expediting invoice approvals.
The organizational value of Accounts Payable continues to grow, a trend that has been evident across several of Ardent Parnters’ previous research reports. CFOs are increasingly becoming more engaged with AP, as 37% AP’s annual strategic plan have the executives’ review and feedback. This reinforces the important role ePayables plays in financial strategy. AP is also facing an expanding role in greater cash management, with 65% of AP teams actively support their business’s financial planning and forecasting.
Why should AP teams be keeping a close eye on KPIs and benchmarks?
Tracking AP metrics is critical for organizations seeking to optimize financial performance and streamline operations. By monitoring key performance indicators such as invoice processing speed, exception rates, and automation levels, businesses can identify inefficiencies, reduce costs, and improve supplier relationships. Without clear metrics, organizations risk missing opportunities for strategic improvements that can drive long-term success.
Using analyst research like this 2025 report helps companies benchmark their performance against industry leaders, uncover best practices, and stay ahead of emerging trends. With AI and automation playing an increasingly significant role in AP, having access to expert insights ensures that organizations can make informed investment decisions, prioritize operational excellence, and maintain a competitive edge.
How Medius Helps AP Teams Excel in 2025
Medius goes beyond basic AP automation—our AI-driven solutions eliminate manual processing, enhance fraud detection, and optimize invoice approvals. With Medius, AP teams can:
Automate workflows for speed and accuracy, reducing bottlenecks.
Leverage AI to streamline invoice management and cut expenses significantly.
Detect anomalies and prevent fraud in real-time, providing better financial controls.
Optimize Cash Flow Management by integrating AI-powered forecasting and aligning payment schedules with overall financial strategy.