How AI-Powered AP Automation is transforming finance from cost centre to strategic partner
A conversation with Daniel de Sousa, CEO of Rillion
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For many major organisations, processing up to 50,000 supplier invoices annually remains a manual task. But according to Daniel D'Souza, CEO of Rillion, this inefficiency presents a significant opportunity for transformation. With three decades of experience in AP automation and a customer base of 3,000 organisations, Rillion's cloud-based platform is helping finance teams reduce processing time by 70 percent while managing 20 percent more invoices without additional headcount. In this interview, Daniel shares how artificial intelligence and automation are enabling CFOs to shift from reactive administration to strategic business partnership.
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What's the current state of AP automation adoption across different markets?
The market penetration varies significantly by region. In the Nordic countries, AP automation is deeply embedded – nearly every company of size has been working with these solutions for many years, even before cloud technology entered the market. However, in the U.S. mid-market segment, it's fascinating to see how many substantial organisations processing 50,000 invoices annually are still running manual, paper-based workflows. While the enterprise segment is well-automated, there's enormous untapped potential in the mid-market space.
How does Rillion's approach differ from basic automation features in standard accounting platforms?
We focus on moving beyond simple invoice processing to address where costs actually originate. Instead of just approving invoices, we enable approval at the purchase order stage within the ERP system, when you can still influence the cost. For recurring expenses like utilities or telecommunications, we can fully automate processing through contract management – you only need to review significant variations. As organisations grow more complex, they need more sophisticated solutions than what's available natively in ERPs. We provide highly customisable workflows that can handle intricate approval processes while maintaining compliance.
What kind of efficiency gains are customers seeing?
One manufacturing customer in the automotive sector provides a compelling example. They started with 60,000 invoices annually and implemented our contract management and expense reporting solutions. The results were dramatic: a 70 percent reduction in time spent processing supplier invoices and a 43 percent decrease in AP management costs. Even more impressive, they handled a 20 per cent increase in invoice volume – growing to 80,000 invoices – without adding staff.
For organisations considering similar transformations, this translates to significant financial impact. A typical U.S. customer might spend around $80,000 annually on our solution, but the return is many times that investment. And we haven't even factored in the risk mitigation benefits. With nearly eight out of ten companies in this segment experiencing fraud attempts annually, the complete business case becomes even more compelling when you consider both efficiency gains and risk reduction.
How does the platform help with fraud prevention?
Nearly 80 percent of companies in this segment face fraud attempts annually, and unfortunately, this trend is likely to increase in turbulent times. We use both rule-based and AI-powered checks to detect anomalies – everything from validating VAT numbers and supplier information against the ERP system to flagging unusual amounts or patterns. But it's not just about external threats. Our robust approval workflows, designed based on decades of best practices, help organisations detect potential internal fraud or corruption risks as well. While we can't guarantee zero fraud, we can significantly improve how organisations proactively mitigate these threats.
What role will generative AI play in the future of AP automation?
It's going to be revolutionary for this industry. Historically, automation has been rule-based, requiring extensive predefinition. AI will dramatically change this, not only driving higher automation rates but also significantly reducing implementation time. The technology will help organisations get started faster and more efficiently.
We're seeing growing emphasis on cybersecurity, as economic fraud and system disruption become more sophisticated threats. Solutions like ours need robust protection not just for our own operations, but more importantly for our customers' security. Additionally, the adoption of e-invoices continues to evolve differently across regions – in Nordic countries like Finland, utilisation rates exceed 90 per cent, while the U.S. lags significantly behind. This digital transformation, combined with AI capabilities, will reshape how organisations manage their financial operations.
How do you see the CFO role evolving with these technological advances?
I've observed a gradual shift over my two decades in this space – from finance being a reactive administrative unit to becoming a proactive advisory function. Thanks to technology, especially generative AI, finance teams won't need to spend time on non-value-adding activities. However, we may be overestimating AI's short-term impact. I draw a parallel with self-driving cars: even though the technology exists, trust takes time to build. CFOs are necessarily cautious – they need absolute confidence in accuracy and compliance.
The key challenge for technology providers over the next five years will be demonstrating that AI can be trusted to enhance rather than compromise control. This is particularly crucial given today's extreme competitiveness across industries. Companies can no longer afford inefficient processes – it's becoming a strategic imperative. Additionally, with growing geopolitical tensions affecting global supply chains, CFOs need solutions that provide complete visibility and control over their supplier relationships. The finance function is increasingly becoming a critical partner in navigating these complex business challenges.
Rillion simplifies accounts payable processes for businesses by providing intuitive, end-to-end AP automation solutions. With a focus on ease and efficiency, Rillion enables companies to reduce manual tasks, eliminate errors, and enhance financial control. Trusted by finance teams across the globe, Rillion’s cloud-based platform automates invoice capture, approval workflows, and payment processing, integrating seamlessly with leading ERPs. By empowering businesses to streamline their AP processes and gain clearer visibility over cash flow, Rillion helps organisations achieve improved financial agility and operational efficiency.
To learn more about transforming your AP operations, visit Rillion.com
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Listen to the episode in the Enterprise Thought Leadership podcast, powered by TechPros.io