Many finance operations teams are under pressure to deliver more strategic value – but outdated processes are holding them back. If your accounts payable or finance operations team still spends most of its time manually entering invoices or chasing approvals, you’re not alone.
According to our Accounts Payable Automation Trends 2025 research:
- 63% of finance professionals spend more than 10 hours a week on invoice processing
- 66% are still manually keying invoices into their ERP or finance systems
- 78% say stress caused by poor AP processes is one of their biggest challenges
These numbers highlight a core issue: many teams are stuck in a transactional loop – solely managing tasks and not contributing to strategy.
So how can finance operations evolve? The first step is to recognize the signs that your team is too focused on processing. The next is to build a path toward value-adding, strategic work.
Signs Your Finance Team Is Stuck in Transaction Mode
Here are some common symptoms:
- Manual processes dominate: Invoice data is rekeyed, emails are used for approvals, and spreadsheets track payments.
- Limited insight generation: Reporting is backward-looking, with minimal real-time visibility or analytics.
- Reactive supplier management: Issues are addressed when things go wrong – not proactively resolved.
- Time is absorbed by admin: There’s little space to contribute to wider business discussions, cost planning, or risk management.
If this sounds familiar, it’s time to rethink the role of your finance operations team.
Why Automation Is Just the Starting Point
Whilst technology plays a big part in this transformation, it’s not the whole picture.
92% of our research respondents believe automation would allow their finance teams to focus on strategic priorities. However, technology alone doesn’t create change. You also need the skills, structure, and mindset to move from process manager to value creator.
Strategic finance ops teams do more than process invoices. They:
- Provide insight on spend trends and compliance risks
- Improve cash flow by managing payment timing strategically
- Work with procurement and treasury to drive better supplier outcomes
- Influence investment decisions through accurate data and forecasting
Automation frees up time – strategy fills it with impact.
How to Shift from Transactional to Strategic
Here are four actions you can take to begin the shift:
- Assess and streamline your processes
Map out invoice and payment workflows to spot delays and inefficiencies. Look for where automation or standardization could reduce friction. - Invest in the right training and certifications
Equip yourself or your team with the knowledge to take on strategic responsibilities. Professional certification programs such as the Certified Accounts Payable Practitioner (CAPP) or Certified Finance Operations Manager (CFOM) build these capabilities. - Join a professional community
Being part of a professional body like IFOL offers access to peer insights, resources, and learning opportunities that help you stay ahead. - Attend leadership-focused events
Conferences like the Accounts Payable & P2P Leadership Conference offer valuable CPD, exposure to industry innovation, and the chance to connect with others facing the same challenges.
What’s Next?
If you want your finance operations team to move beyond the numbers and start shaping business strategy, you need more than automation – you need growth, leadership, and learning.
Talk to us about certifications and membership, or join us at an upcoming Accounts Payable Leadership Conference to take the next step in your strategic finance journey.
