Get the most complete guide to running a valuable accounts payable department with Accounts Payable, Second Edition. This updated edition continues where the successful first edition left off, providing all the critical information and guidance top professionals need to run an efficient department, complete with coverage of the innovative issues now facing the field and new material on: Encryption and digital signatures Electronic invoicing Purchase cards Post audit firms Petty cash Vendor fraud Certification . . . and more! Order your copy today! .

Have you ever wondered where your processes stand against industry leaders or how you can take your services and organizational procedures to state of the art levels? Are you frustrated because you don't think you have the finanical or human resources needed to employ 'best' practices? This handy resource provides documented strategies and tactics for accounts payable used by several highly admired companies. You'll gain practical knowledge you can turn into "Best" (or Almost Best) Practices as well as examples of practices to avoid. Order your copy today!

101 Best Practices for Accounts PayableBy Mary S. Schaeffer *101 practices examined and explained * Best practices delineated for each * Almost best practices identified for those instances where best practices cannot be used * Discussion of concerns relevant to the accounts payable function for each issue * Worst practices highlighted

Unless you are satisfied with an accounts payable function that is expensive, inefficient, makes lots of duplicate and improper payments, permits fraud and is continually in hot water with state and federal regulators, it is critical that the foundation of the accounts payable department be as strong and impenetrable as possible. This is not as simple as you might think. To create a solid foundation, best practices must be used and strong internal controls integrated throughout the function. For all that to happen, a good understanding of the fundamentals of the accounts payable function is required. That is the goal of this book and it is a lot more complicated than many realize. Now many professionals reading this book will already know some of what's included. After all, we all know how to pay bills. For starters, there's a right way and a wrong way to handle the functions related to paying invoices. What's more, the function is changing thanks to technology, new frauds and increased regulatory requirements. So, while some of the fundamentals have stayed the same for many years, a lot has changed. And, that's just the tip of the iceberg; there's a lot more to the accounts payable function than just paying bills (invoices). Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1: The Foundation of the Accounts Payable Function Chapter 2: Master Vendor File: Where the Process Should Begin Chapter 3: Invoice Processing: The Reason Accounts Payable Exists Chapter 4: Checks: The Original (and Least Efficient) Payment Vehicle Chapter 5: Purchase Cards: Streamlining the Payment Process for Small Purchases Chapter 6: Electronic Payments: The Most Efficient Payment Vehicle Chapter 7: Operational Issues: Invoice Handling and Processing Chapter 8: Operational Issues: Payments Chapter 9: Inaccurate Payments and Payment Auditing Chapter 10: Expense Reimbursement (Travel & Entertainment) Chapter 11: Check and P-card Payment Fraud: Detection and Prevention Chapter 12: Electronic Payment Fraud Detection and Prevention Chapter 13: Fraud: Other Types Affecting the Account Payable Function Chapter 14: The Accounts Payable Policy and Procedures Manual Chapter 15: Regulatory Issues Affecting the Accounts Payable Function: A Lot More than Just 1099s Chapter 16: Using Technology to Run a More Efficient Accounts Payable Function Chapter 17: Internal Controls: The Glue that Holds a Best Practice Function Together Chapter 18: Enhancing Operational Productivity in Accounts Payable: The Ongoing Challenge Chapter 19: Enhancing Payment Productivity: The Electronic Payment Challenge Chapter 20: Enhancing the Bottom Line: Where AP Can Bring in Cash Chapter 21: Vendor Relations: An Often-Overlooked Issue Chapter 22: The Future of the Accounts Payable Function Glossary Excerpt: 101 Best Practices for Accounts Payable Index About Mary S. Schaeffer and AP Now

ESSENTIALS OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Full of valuable tips, techniques, illustrative real-worldexamples, exhibits, and best practices, this handy and concisepaperback will help you stay up to date on the newest thinking,strategies, developments, and technologies in accountspayable. "A real-world approach, with great insights and practical wisdom onall aspects of the accounts payable process. Essentials of AccountsPayable provides accounts payable professionals with a frameworkfor action in a rapidly changing environment." -Tom Nichols, Division Manager, Accounts Payable Operations,AT&T "Mary Schaeffer has combined her considerable knowledge of theaccounts payable process with the learning and benchmark statisticsfrom top companies to produce a world-class guide to the APprocess. Without Mary Schaeffer, and IOMA, AP would still be aneglected financial process without any formal reading to explainthe complexities of a process that most companies think is simplypaying the bills. This book is a must-read for anyone working in,directing, or managing AP operations, both seasoned professionalsand those new to the process." -Linda Sawyer Sisko, Programs Manager, Cisco Systems, Inc. "This book does an excellent job of explaining the oftencomplicated basics of the accounts payable functions. It provides aquick snapshot for busy executives who need to know how an accountspayable department should run. It is an excellent update for thoseexecutives who need to keep up to date on numerous issues thataffect this rapidly evolving profession." -Adrienne Glasgow, Chief Financial Officer, American Red Cross inGreater New York The Wiley Essentials Series-because the business world is alwayschanging...and so should you.

Praise for Accounts Receivable Management BestPractices "An excellent reference tool on how to manage the accountsreceivable process for any company. The use of real-life examplesmakes the concepts easy to understand. I recommend the book toanyone who wants to improve cash flow and reduce bad debtloss." —Michael E. Beaulieu, Senior Vice President, Finance CardinalHealth "Rather than simply explaining how to get the greatest returnfrom an investment in accounts receivable, John G. Salek revealshow companies shoot themselves in the foot when management setspolicies and procedures without consideration of the impact on cashflow. Accounts Receivable Management Best Practices isn't just forcredit and collection professionals who often spend more timecleaning up process errors and other corporate 'garbage,' insteadof managing risk. It should be required reading for C-levelexecutives, the sales staff, operations managers, and anybody elsewhose job impacts the order-to-cash cycle." —David Schmidt, Principal, A2 Resources Coauthor of PowerCollecting: Automation for Effective Asset Management "Enhancing a company's competitive profile is all about givingenough customers the right product, at the right price, at theright time. This author's real-world approach to accomplishing thisgoal through the prism of receivables management makes this book amust-read for those companies looking to make their mark as anorganization that cares about its customers as well as their ownneed to produce financial results." —Bruce C. Lynn, Managing Director The Financial ExecutivesConsulting Group, LLC "I have worked with John Salek since 1992, both as his clientand as a project manager working with his organization. Hisknowledge of receivables management . . . the technology, theprocesses, and the formula for success . . . are unsurpassed in thefield." —Stephen L. Watts, Manager, Global Receivables (retired)General Electric Medical Systems "Mr. Salek has written a masterpiece on the intricacies andmanagement of the accounts receivable portfolio. I would recommendthis book to CFOs, controllers, treasurers, credit managers, andsmall business owners." —Steve Kozack, Credit Manager Lennox Hearth Products "Written by an author who has been in the trenches and citesactual examples. This is not written in theory, but frompractice." —Milt Dardis, Collection Consultant Dardis &Associates

THE NEW ACCOUNTS PAYABLE TOOLKIT In The New Accounts Payable Toolkit, accomplished entrepreneur, consultant, and finance expert Christine H. Doxey delivers a unique and powerful approach to the accounts payable process and discusses the impact of the automation of the Procure to Pay (P2P) process. The toolkit explores all aspects of the accounts payable process, from the establishment of the contract and the purchase order to the supplier validation process, invoice processing and payment, accounting, and fiscal close. You’ll learn the key metrics and analytics needed for the accounts payable process. This comprehensive toolkit provides the best practices, tools, and internal controls that can help safeguard your company’s cash and other assets. You’ll obtain a variety of tools to create the foundation required for current internal controls and compliance to ensure that suppliers are correctly validated in the supplier master file to maintain regulatory compliance. Avoid paying fraudulent or inaccurate invoices and avoid paying a supplier’s invoice more than once. Be certain that all supplier invoices are properly accounted for to ensure an accurate fiscal close. Finally, stay up to date with all current and coming trends in the accounts payable process, including eInvoicing, ePayment, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and eAccounting. The New Accounts Payable Toolkit provides guidance for the implementation of AP automation solutions that can streamline and modernize your own systems and processes to take advantage of new digital developments. Perfect for controllers, chief financial officers, and finance managers, The New Accounts Payable Toolkit will also earn a place in the libraries of students and professionals who seek to better understand the components of an optimal accounts payable. UNCOVER A UNIQUE AND POWERFUL NEW APPROACH TO ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PROCESSES The New Accounts Payable Toolkit offers readers a comprehensive and timely new way of handling their accounts payable systems and processes. You’ll discover how to implement new digital technologies in every aspect of the accounts payable process, from the establishment of the initial contract and purchase order to the supplier validation process, invoice processing and payment, accounting, and fiscal close. You’ll learn to validate suppliers in the master list to ensure regulatory compliance, prevent multiple payments for a single invoice, keep from paying fraudulent, inaccurate, or incomplete invoices, and apply best practices to help safeguard your company’s assets. You’ll also discover how to measure and record key metrics and analytics to maintain an effective accounts payable process. Finally, you’ll read about new and upcoming trends in accounts payable, like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation that you can implement today to realize new efficiencies and savings. Ideal for chief financial officers, finance managers, and controllers, The New Accounts Payable Toolkit is an invaluable guide to modernizing and optimizing your own company’s accounts payable processes and systems.