Transforming AP Payments from Cost Center to Value Driver
Sharon Malloch 
July 17th, 2025
Accounts payable (AP) isn’t usually seen as a lever for growth. But that’s changing. As CFOs, controllers, and finance leaders look beyond cost-cutting toward optimization, AP is gaining new strategic relevance—particularly the final mile: payments.
For many mid-to-large enterprises, payments are a persistent bottleneck. Disconnected systems, paper checks, and manual vendor management slow down processes and limit visibility. Instead of driving value, AP teams spend their time executing transactions, not managing spend strategically. The result? Minimal return, high risk, and a function stuck in cost-center mode.
MHC’s new Payments Plus solution, with Paymode® embedded, was designed to flip that script—helping finance teams reduce risk, reclaim time, and turn payments into a source of revenue.
The Problem: Why AP Payments Are Still a Drag on Performance
Here is some additional context. While finance teams have made big strides in automation, payments often lag behind—mired in inefficiencies that undermine strategic progress:
❌ Checks are costly and slow, requiring printing, mailing, and reconciliation.
❌ ACH lacks control and provides limited visibility or return.
❌ Vendor enablement drains resources, with internal teams chasing bank details and onboarding tasks.
❌ Rebates go unrealized when vendors aren’t enrolled in the right programs.
These gaps don’t just slow things down—they multiply risk, obscure cash flow visibility, and eat up resources that could be better spent elsewhere. It’s a cycle that keeps AP tethered to its legacy role as a cost center.
The Solution: Built-In Payments that Work for Finance
To help finance teams move past outdated processes, MHC’s new Payments Plus solution makes it easy to embed secure, automated payments into your existing AP workflow—without added complexity. With the Paymode business payments network embedded, customers will be able to pay over 600,000 vendors. Paymode is built to streamline operations and unlock new value fast.
Here’s what sets it apart:
🔐 Unmatched Security
Paymode brings a proven track record of security and payment protection, using multi-factor verification, OFAC screening, and continuous network monitoring. Vendor bank details are never stored on your systems—reducing fraud and audit risk.
💸 Rebates You Can Count On
Eligible payments earn monthly rebates through virtual cards and Premium ACH. You’ll receive a vendor match analysis upfront, showing which suppliers can be converted with no disruption—and what revenue you can expect.
⚙️ Fast Implementation,
Minimal Lift
Go live in 30 days or less with no portal sprawl or major IT involvement. Bottomline manages the vendor outreach and integration, using your existing vendor master file to keep onboarding painless.
📊 Rich Data, Better Visibility
Get same-day and next-day ACH options and detailed remittance data that simplifies reconciliation and improves cash flow management.
🔄 Integrated, Not Bolted-On
Designed for Infor and other leading ERPs, the solution eliminates the need for toggling between platforms. Payment approvals, execution, and tracking all happen in your existing AP environment.
Results That Matter
Here’s what finance teams can see after switching to MHC NorthStar Payments Plus, with Paymode embedded:
50%+ reduction in payment processing time
Immediate eligibility for thousands of vendors already in the Paymode network
75% faster reconciliation through enriched remittance data
Annual rebate potential—at no additional cost
Improved auditability and less time spent managing sensitive vendor data
You also eliminate the hassle of storing or updating supplier banking information—Bottomline handles KYC, onboarding, and compliance, so your team doesn’t have to.
Why This Matters Now
With economic pressure mounting and finance leaders seeking smarter ways to manage spend, AP payments offer a powerful but often overlooked opportunity to improve both the bottom line and financial control.
By turning your AP function into a source of strategic value—rather than a sunk cost—you free up resources, strengthen vendor relationships, and give your team time to focus on higher-value initiatives.
Is This You?
✅ Spending over $50M in AP annually?
✅ Struggling with manual vendor enablement?
✅ Missing out on rebate opportunities?
If so, you’re in the perfect position to modernize and extract more value from your AP payments.
Ready to Reframe AP as a Value Driver?
Let us show you what’s possible. Contact us today to see how much rebate revenue you could be earning—without changing your existing process.
Sharon Malloch
Sharon leads content marketing at MHC, overseeing strategies that fuel sales and demand generation. With more than a decade of experience in customer communications, Sharon brings deep insight into customer pain points, industry trends, and the critical role of solutions in managing regulatory communications. Before joining MHC, she honed her marketing expertise at Doxim, Messagepoint, and OpenText.
