Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accounts Payable

The programme

Programme overview

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising Accounts Payable (AP) by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing accuracy, and enabling finance teams to make smarter, faster decisions. From intelligent invoice capture and 3-way matching to fraud detection and predictive cash flow analytics, AI is transforming AP into a strategic value driver.

This practical, hands-on masterclass is designed to take AP and Finance professionals on a journey from foundational AI concepts to real-world implementation. Using live demonstrations, real datasets, and low-code tools that integrate with common ERP systems, participants will gain the skills, artefacts, and strategies to embed AI in their AP processes for measurable impact.

Who should attend

Who is this programme for?

• Accounts Payable Managers, Team Leaders, and Practitioners
• Finance Executives (CFOs, Finance Directors, Financial Controllers)
• Accountants & Management Accountants
• Auditors, Compliance, and Internal Control Officers
• Financial and Business Analysts
• Risk Managers and Fraud Prevention Specialists
• IT & Digital Transformation Professionals Supporting Finance
• Shared Services & BPO Team Leads
• Procurement, Vendor Master & Supply Chain Stakeholders
• Consultants and Advisors in Financial Process Automation

Targeted Competencies

• Applied AI & ML for Finance
• Data Preparation & Interpretation
• Automated Bookkeeping & Real-Time Reporting
• Fraud & Anomaly Detection
• Predictive Cash Flow & Payment Analytics
• Risk & Control Automation
• KPI Design & Visualisation (Power BI/Excel)
• ERP & RPA Integration
• Financial Data Privacy & Governance
• Vendor Experience & Self-Service
• Strategic Planning for AI in Finance

Learning outcomes

What you will learn

• Demystify AI/ML: Clearly explain AI and machine learning concepts, with concrete examples in AP
• Transform Invoice Processing: Deploy AI for automated invoice capture, coding, matching, and exception handling
• Build Smart Dashboards: Design and develop AP dashboards with advanced KPIs, anomaly detection, and predictive analytics
• Combat Fraud and Error: Detect duplicates, identify ghost vendors, and spot suspicious transactions using both rules and machine learning
• Optimise Working Capital: Leverage AI to enhance budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and payment scheduling
• Strengthen Risk Controls: Design AP fraud scenarios and implement continuous control monitoring with AI
• Integrate Seamlessly: Connect low-code AI/RPA solutions to leading ERP and collaboration platforms
• Lead Ethically: Address ethical, transparency, bias, and data privacy issues (POPIA/GDPR) in financial AI applications
• Champion Change: Drive transformation by building the skills, roles, and operating models needed for an AI-enabled AP Centre of Excellence
• Deliver Results: Produce a 90-day AP AI roadmap and business case tailored to your organisation

Explore the programme

Detailed programme outline

• AP value chain overview: invoice to payment & reporting
• Key AI/ML concepts for finance: supervised/unsupervised learning, NLP, OCR, anomaly detection
• Data governance essentials: POPIA/GDPR, data minimisation, retention, auditability
• Document AI & OCR for invoice data extraction
• AI-powered coding & approvals; exception workflows
• Duplicate detection: rules vs. machine learning, vendor & IBAN validation
• Outcomes: Practical: building a baseline AP KPI model in Power BI, and duplicate/exception detection with Excel.
• Designing effective AP KPIs: exception rate, 3-way match cycle, touchless processing
• Predictive analytics essentials: cash flow, payment scheduling, dynamic discounting
• Common fraud schemes: shell vendors, split invoices, control overrides
• Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM): real-time alerts & ML signals
• Outcomes: Practical: building a risk scoring dashboard in Power BI.
• Evaluating and selecting AP/AI tools
• Building the case for an AI-enabled AP function
• Drafting the first version of your own AP AI roadmap
• Outcomes: Deciding whether the 5-Day Comprehensive programme is the right next step for full implementation depth.
• Data quality in AP: vendor master, chart of accounts, PO policy, receipt integrity
• Practical: clean AP datasets in Power Query; build baseline AP KPI model in Power BI.
• Case Study: AP transformation — shared services before & after.
• Outcomes: Data quality checklist, foundational dashboard scaffold.
• Document AI & OCR for invoice data extraction (VAT, line items, confidence scoring)
• Strategies for duplicate detection: rules vs. machine learning, vendor & IBAN validation
• Practical: duplicate/exception detection with Excel & Power BI.
• Demo: build a low-code AP workflow (Power Automate/UiPath).
• Template: AP exception management playbook & SLAs.
• Outcomes: Automation blueprint for AP intake, validation, and routing.
• Predictive analytics: cash flow, payment scheduling, dynamic discounting
• Supplier performance & terms optimisation
• Practical: AP aging & cash flow forecast dashboard (Power BI).
• What-if analysis: impact of discount policies & term changes.
• Case Study: real-world working capital improvement.
• Outcomes: Analytics for treasury/supplier negotiations.
• Model risk: explainability, managing false positives/negatives, audit trail
• Practical: build risk scoring & control dashboards (Power BI).
• Design practical fraud response workflows.
• Outcomes: Actionable CCM, stronger fraud detection, audit readiness.
• Evaluating & selecting AP/AI tools; integration strategies with ERP & e-invoicing
• Building an AP Centre of Excellence: new roles & skills for AI in AP
• Change management: upskilling, communication, handling resistance
• Measuring benefits: ROI tracking, in-house vs. outsourcing decisions
• Practical: assemble an end-to-end AP AI mini-solution.
• Present your implementation roadmap & business case.
• Individual feedback & personal action planning.
• Outcomes: Executive-ready collateral, clear path for AI-enabled AP.

Learning approach

How you will learn

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Discuss your requirements

Dates, duration & arrangements

Contact Ratomac to confirm dates, duration, delivery format, entry requirements and any applicable assessment or certification before booking.