Stop Treating AP, AR, and Banking Like They’re Separate—They’re Not

Every business, no matter how large or small, runs on a single, critical cycle: cash flow. Every dollar that comes in or goes out is part of a system already in place, flowing through accounts payable (AP), banking, and accounts receivable (AR). But here’s the problem: businesses often treat these processes as separate and disconnected.

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This artificial separation creates inefficiencies, blinds decision-makers to critical insights, and costs businesses money. It doesn’t need to be this way. AP, AR, and banking are inherently interconnected—and managing them as one cohesive process isn’t just a better way to operate. It’s how businesses were meant to work.

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The Natural Cash Flow Cycle

To understand why AP, AR, and banking are inherently linked, consider how cash flows through a typical business:

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Payables (AP): Every business starts with an outflow. Payments are made to suppliers for goods and services. These payments often pass through approvals, coding, and other workflows before finally being sent to vendors.
Banking: Once a payment is approved, funds leave the business’s bank account. Banking acts as the hub for all financial activity, where payments are initiated, cash reserves are monitored, and funds are managed.
Receivables (AR): Cash flows back into the business through receivables, as customers pay invoices for products or services. These inflows replenish bank accounts, enabling the next round of payments and investment.

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This process is a cycle, not a collection of disconnected activities. AP, AR, and banking are gears in the same machine, each relying on the other to keep cash flowing.

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The Cost of Treating Them as Separate

Despite their natural connection, many businesses treat AP, AR, and banking as isolated functions, relying on disparate tools and manual processes. The consequences of this approach are significant:

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1. Inefficiencies Multiply

Siloed systems lead to inefficiencies at every step. Finance teams spend hours manually reconciling AP payments, matching AR receipts to invoices, and updating cash flow projections across spreadsheets. A survey found that 72% of finance teams spend up to 10 hours per week on AP-related tasks that could be automated, such as invoice processing and payment reconciliation.

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2. Blind Spots in Cash Flow

When AP, AR, and banking data are spread across multiple platforms, businesses lose visibility into their true cash position. A PwC survey highlighted that cash flow forecasting remains a significant concern for finance executives, with more than half expressing challenges in this area.

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3. Missed Financial Opportunities

Disconnected systems prevent businesses from optimizing cash flow. For example:

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Funds sitting idle in low-yield accounts instead of earning interest.
Delays in AR collections due to manual processes, increasing days sales outstanding (DSO).
Late payments to suppliers, damaging vendor relationships and incurring penalties.

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Why Integration Is the Only Solution

The solution isn’t just automation or better tools—it’s recognizing and managing AP, AR, and banking as one interconnected process. When these workflows operate together seamlessly, businesses unlock:

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1. Complete Cash Flow Visibility

An integrated system provides real-time insights into every dollar, whether it’s being paid out, sitting in a bank account, or waiting to be collected. This visibility enables better forecasting and decision-making.

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2. Faster Payments and Collections

Automated AP processes ensure suppliers are paid on time while optimizing when payments are made to maximize cash flow. Simultaneously, AR automation accelerates collections by simplifying invoicing and cash application.

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3. Maximized Working Capital

With AP, AR, and banking working together, businesses can:

Earn interest on idle funds while waiting to pay suppliers.
Reinvest faster by speeding up customer payments.
Avoid cash flow gaps that disrupt operations.

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Centime: Where AP, AR, and Banking Work as One

Centime’s platform was built on the idea that AP, AR, and banking are already part of the same process. The difference is that we make this connection seamless, visible, and optimized. Here’s how:

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Unified Dashboard: View payables, receivables, and bank accounts in real time, all in one place.
AP Automation: Schedule payments strategically to optimize cash flow and earn interest on funds while they wait.
AR Automation: Collect faster with automated invoicing, payment reminders, and instant cash reconciliation.
High-Yield Banking: Earn interest on the cash you're collecting faster with Centime AR or payments in transit with Centime AP.

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With Centime, your cash flow isn’t just managed—it’s transformed into a strategic advantage.

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Stop Managing Cash Flow in Silos

AP, AR, and banking aren’t separate. They never were. They’re part of a single, natural process that keeps your business moving. The question is: are you managing this process as one seamless flow, or are you letting inefficiencies and blind spots hold you back?

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The businesses that succeed tomorrow will be the ones that recognize the power of integrated cash flow today. It’s time to stop treating AP, AR, and banking like they’re separate. Because they’re not—and Centime is here to help you manage them better. Book a demo today.

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**Deposit placement through ICS is subject to the terms, conditions, and disclosures in the applicable agreements. Although deposits are placed in increments that do not exceed the FDIC standard maximum deposit insurance amount (“SMDIA”) at any one destination bank, a depositor’s balances at the institution that places deposits may exceed the SMDIA (e.g., before settlement for deposits or after settlement for withdrawals) or be uninsured (if the placing institution is not an insured bank). The depositor must make any necessary arrangements to protect such balances consistent with applicable law and must determine whether placement through ICS satisfies any restrictions on its deposits. A list identifying IntraFi network banks appears at https://www.intrafi.com/network-banks. The depositor may exclude banks from eligibility to receive its funds. IntraFi and ICS are registered service marks, and IntraFi Cash Service is a service mark, of IntraFi Network LLC.

^††3.0% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as of 01/07/25. Deposit rate may adjust to current market rate and may change daily. Fees may reduce earnings.

*Centime is not a bank and is not authorized by any federal or state agency to engage directly in core banking activities.
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*All banking products and services available through Centime are provided by FNBO and are governed by the applicable agreements and related disclosures provided to you by FNBO. Member FDIC.
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‍*While Centime facilitates traditional banking activities (such as the acceptance of deposits or extensions of credit), these services are actually provided by our banking partner, FNBO.
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*Centime may provide support services to FNBO, as permitted by applicable law, to facilitate the delivery of its bank products and services.

**Deposit placement through ICS is subject to the terms, conditions, and disclosures in the applicable agreements. Although deposits are placed in increments that do not exceed the FDIC standard maximum deposit insurance amount (“SMDIA”) at any one destination bank, a depositor’s balances at the institution that places deposits may exceed the SMDIA (e.g., before settlement for deposits or after settlement for withdrawals) or be uninsured (if the placing institution is not an insured bank). The depositor must make any necessary arrangements to protect such balances consistent with applicable law and must determine whether placement through ICS satisfies any restrictions on its deposits. A list identifying IntraFi network bank

Stop Treating AP, AR, and Banking Like They’re Separate—They’re Not

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