Which accounts payable automation trends will matter most in 2026?

Short answer: The accounts payable (AP) automation trends that will matter most in 2026 are: touchless invoice processing, AI-powered invoice capture, digital payments, real-time reporting, and stronger fraud prevention.

Accounts payable is no longer just about paying bills on time. AP automation is becoming a core system for cutting costs, reducing risk, and helping finance teams scale operations.

Here are six AP automation trends that will matter most in 2026.

1. Touchless invoice processing becomes the standard

In 2026, most finance leaders expect invoices to be processed with little to no human involvement.

Yet only 32.6% of invoices are processed without human intervention, indicating significant room for improvement.

But this is possible with state-of-the-art platforms. They can offer better invoice capture, optical character recognition, and machine learning technology to allow systems to automatically extract invoice data, validate it against purchase orders, and route it through customised approval workflows.

These new platforms come with obvious advantages:

• Lower invoice processing costs as manual work has been eliminated
• Fewer invoice exceptions and blocking points

Touchless processing is quickly becoming the norm in most organisations as these new systems become more prevalent. 

2. AI has become efficient for accounts payable

Leveraging GenAI for accounts payable has advanced at a dizzying pace, and the technology is now delivering real value, especially in the areas where AP teams spend most of their time: coding, handling exceptions, and making informed decisions.

AI-powered invoicing automation is being used to:

• Automatically suggest general ledger codes based on past invoices
• Detect duplicate payments and unusual invoice patterns
• Flag invoice exceptions earlier, before they delay approvals
• Route invoices to the right approver based on rules and behaviour

Some generative AI tools are also helping AP teams respond more quickly to supplier inquiries and summarise the reasons for approval delays.

The biggest benefits certainly are: The reduction of manual work, fewer errors, a lower risk of manual errors, and faster processing.

Analysts point to the next stage of this evolution as more autonomous AP workflows. As Forrester notes in its 2026 analysis of AP automation, “AI adoption in AP is no longer limited to data extraction or coding assistance. Vendors are now deploying agentic capabilities to support autonomous tasks such as exception handling, fraud detection, and supplier management,” explains Meng Liu, Senior Analyst at Forrester.

3. Payment automation goes digital

Paper checks continue to decline as electronic payments take over.

Key payment trends include:

• Broader use of Bacs and SEPA payments
• Growth in virtual card payments and payment rebates
• Adoption of real-time payments for urgent supplier payments
• Centralised payment disbursement inside AP automation platforms

Virtual cards are especially attractive because they enhance fraud prevention, generate rebates, and speed up supplier payments.

4. Real-time reporting becomes the expectation

Finance leaders expect real-time reporting, not month-end surprises.

Cloud AP platforms now offer real-time dashboards that show:

• Invoice status and approval delays
• Cash outflows and liabilities
• Automation ROI and processing efficiency

This data supports faster decision-making and smoother financial close processes, especially for companies managing multi-entity accounting.

5. Supplier experience becomes part of AP strategy

Supplier self-service portals are becoming standard, allowing vendors to:

• Submit invoices electronically
• Track payment status
• Resolve issues without emailing AP teams

This improves supplier relationships, reduces inquiry volume, and supports broader digital transformation efforts across the supply chain.

6. Compliance and fraud prevention drive decisions 

Global and UK & Ireland regulatory pressure continues to grow.

E-invoicing regulations affect suppliers and cross-border operations. As a result, AP tools are adding stronger data validation, audit trails, and built-in compliance controls.

At the same time, fraud risks are rising. Layered fraud prevention is now expected, including:

• Duplicate payment detection
• Supplier change alerts
• AI-based anomaly detection

Conclusion

AP automation has strayed away from incremental efficiency gains. The technology now consistently delivers measurable business results: Lower processing costs, fewer errors, faster approvals, and better control over cash and risk.

Finance teams who moved on with the modernisation of their AP tech stack can spend less time chasing invoices and more time improving performance, strengthening supplier relationships, and supporting smarter decisions to support the growth of their organisation.

Ready to put these AP automation trends to work?
Learn how Quadient AP Automation helps finance teams simplify invoice processing, automate payments, and gain real-time control across the invoice-to-pay process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is accounts payable automation?

AP automation uses software to manage invoice processing, approvals, and supplier payments with minimal manual work.

Why does AP automation matter in 2026?

Because finance teams face higher invoice volumes, tighter margins, and greater compliance risk. Automation improves speed, accuracy, and visibility.

How does AP automation reduce costs?

By cutting manual work, reducing errors, preventing duplicate payments, and lowering the cost per invoice.

Is AP automation only for large enterprises?

No. Small and mid-sized companies benefit just as much, especially through cloud-native solutions with scalable pricing models.