Accounts Payable Fraud and Prevention [Infographic]
Last updated:
30 Jan, 2024
By Puneet Sharma |
2 Minutes Read
Accounts payable (AP) is one of the most tedious and labor-intensive accounting processes. Around 71% of companies claim that manual data entry and inefficient processes are their biggest concerns regarding account payable invoice processing. Moreover, legacy systems and manual operating models might be less capable of fighting fraud risks. In this context, the accountant determines the value and capitalization approach for growth, while also playing a crucial role in accounts payable fraud prevention.
Since the finances flowing out from your business goes through an approval process, it involves multiple employees. That makes the invoice process vulnerable to fraud, internally or externally. Employees, external alliances, and vendors are the most common people who may attempt accounts payable fraud.
82% of financial professionals in North America reported that their companies faced attempted or successful payment fraud. AP fraud is one of the most common types of fraud, putting organizations at risk. No doubt fraud hits every business badly. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the organization typically loses 5% of its revenue to fraud annually, with a median loss of $125,000. It goes overlooked for an average of 14 months, resulting in average losses of $8,300 a month.
However, you can address such risks by implementing internal control policies and strengthening audit functions for accounts payable fraud prevention.
Besides, structuring a tech-driven AP process to manage most tedious tasks faster and better with the help of automation or outsourcing the same to a reliable accounts payable services provider can be beneficial.