As the seasons shift from summer to autumn, we’re reminded that preparation is key. Just as we gather resources, ready our homes, and adapt our routines for the colder months ahead, organisations must also prepare for the changing business climate. Regulatory demands, sustainability pressures, and the push for digital transformation are no longer distant concerns — they are here, much like the turning of the leaves, signalling the need for change.

For large organisations, the most impactful place to start this preparation is by investing in automated Accounts Payable (AP) solutions. With platforms like Esker, businesses can move beyond manual, error-prone processes and build resilient, future-proof financial operations that are ready for both today’s and tomorrow’s demands.

The Growing Pressures on Large Organisations

Manual AP processes can feel like trying to harvest crops without the right tools — inefficient, time-consuming, and unsustainable. In high-volume environments, these inefficiencies compound quickly:

• Transaction bottlenecks slow down approvals and payments.
• Global compliance demands such as e-invoicing regulations create new complexities.
• Sustainability requirements — particularly Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon reporting — add another layer of responsibility.

Just as autumn requires us to prepare for winter, these challenges require organisations to prepare now with the right digital solutions.

E-Invoicing: A Seasonal Shift in Compliance

Across the globe, e-invoicing mandates are becoming the norm. Governments and regulators are tightening their requirements to ensure tax transparency, reduce fraud, and streamline trade.

Automated AP solutions like Esker’s ensure companies are ready for this shift by:

• Digitising invoice capture and validation.
• Meeting regional and international compliance standards.
• Providing a faster, smoother process for both finance teams and suppliers.

Customer example: A global manufacturing group using Esker automated 80% of its supplier invoices, cutting processing time by 60%. More importantly, it became compliant with new European e-invoicing mandates without additional IT strain.

Like adjusting wardrobes for colder weather, moving to e-invoicing is not optional — it’s essential preparation for what lies ahead.

Building Sustainability into Finance: CO₂ & Scope 1, 2, and 3 Compliance

Sustainability reporting has become the business world’s equivalent of storing away resources for winter. Without accurate, centralised data, organisations will struggle to demonstrate progress on ESG goals.

Automated AP platforms like Esker make this easier by:

• Consolidating supplier invoices into one digital hub, creating a clear audit trail for CO₂ accounting.
• Tracking Scope 3 emissions — often the most difficult to measure — through supplier data integration.
• Enabling real-time insights into spend and sustainability metrics to support ESG strategies.

Customer example: A multinational logistics company used Esker to integrate supplier data into its sustainability reporting framework. With automated invoice capture and spend analysis, it gained visibility into Scope 3 emissions, allowing it to engage suppliers in targeted carbon reduction initiatives.

This shift transforms AP from a back-office function into a strategic contributor to corporate responsibility.

Esker’s Value: Preparing the Organisation for the Next Season

By investing in Esker’s AP automation solutions, organisations benefit from:

• End-to-end visibility across spend, compliance, and sustainability.
• AI-driven accuracy that reduces errors, duplicate payments, and fraud risk.
• Supplier engagement tools that foster collaboration and compliance alignment.
• Scalability and adaptability to keep pace with changing regulations and sustainability requirements.

Customer example: A large global retail chain partnered with Esker to automate AP across multiple geographies. Not only did the company save millions annually in processing costs, but it also improved supplier satisfaction scores by 30% due to faster, more transparent payment cycles.

In short, Esker equips organisations with the tools they need to weather the season ahead — resilient, agile, and ready for change.

Why Act Now?

Autumn teaches us that change is inevitable, and those who prepare early thrive when conditions shift. Businesses that delay investment in AP automation risk being caught out in the cold — facing inefficiencies, compliance penalties, and missed opportunities.

Those who act now, however, gain more than just efficiency. They build the foundation for smarter operations, stronger compliance, and a more sustainable future.
Just as nature transitions seamlessly into its next season, organisations that invest in automation with Esker can embrace change with confidence — prepared, equipped, and ready for what comes next.
Get in touch to learn more.