Top 6 AR Automation Software for Food & Beverage in 2025

Managing accounts receivable (AR) in the food and beverage industry comes with unique challenges. Tight profit margins, perishable inventory, and fluctuating demand make efficient cash flow management critical. Late payments and manual processes can further strain businesses, impacting their ability to restock inventory, pay suppliers, or invest in growth.

AR automation software can help food and beverage businesses overcome these obstacles. By streamlining invoicing, collections, and cash flow forecasting, these tools enable companies to optimize their working capital and reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). This blog highlights the top AR automation software solutions tailored to the needs of food and beverage businesses, showcasing their strengths, features, and industry-specific applications.

Key Challenges in Food & Beverage Accounts Receivable

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Long Payment Cycles

• Retailers and distributors often operate on extended payment terms, leading to cash flow delays.
• Managing liquidity is crucial for purchasing fresh inventory and fulfilling large orders.

High Volume of Low-Value Invoices

• Frequent, small transactions with restaurants, grocers, or wholesalers require efficient automation to avoid overwhelming AR teams.

Perishable Inventory Management

• Maintaining predictable cash inflows is critical to avoid disruptions in inventory replenishment.

Diverse Customer Payment Preferences

• Buyers may prefer different payment methods, such as ACH, credit cards, or checks, necessitating flexible options.

Regulatory and Compliance Issues

• Complex tax structures and regional compliance rules demand accurate, automated invoicing to reduce errors.

What to Look for in AR Automation Software for Food & Beverage

When choosing AR automation software for the food and beverage industry, prioritize solutions with features tailored to industry-specific needs:

1. Scalable Automation: Software must handle frequent, low-value transactions efficiently to reduce manual workload.
2. Cash Flow Insights: Real-time cash flow forecasting and predictive analytics are crucial for managing perishable inventory cycles.
3. ERP Integration: Deep compatibility with common platforms like NetSuite & Sage Intacct ensures seamless data synchronization and accuracy.
4. Flexible Payment Options: Support for ACH, credit cards, and other methods simplifies transactions for diverse customer bases.
5. Compliance Tools: Ensure the platform accommodates complex tax structures and regulatory requirements with automated invoicing.
6. Robust Support: Look for providers offering dedicated support to resolve issues quickly in time-sensitive industries.

What is the Best AR Automation Software for Food & Beverage in 2025?

1. Centime: Best overall AR solution for food and beverage
2. BILL: Best for small businesses
3. HighRadius: Best for high-transaction businesses
4. Versapay: Best for strengthening retailer relationships
5. Tesorio: Best for financial planning teams
6. Payference: Best for internationally growing businesses

Overview: Centime’s AR automation platform stands out for its deep ERP integration and industry-specific features. Designed to help businesses get paid faster, predict cash inflows, and improve collections effectiveness, Centime delivers a comprehensive solution tailored to the unique needs of food and beverage companies.

Key Features:

• AI-Powered Invoice Coding and PO Matching: Reduces manual entry and ensures accuracy.
• Real-Time Cash Flow Forecasting: Provides clear insights into liquidity, helping businesses manage perishable inventory cycles.
• Automated Collections: Sends individualized payment reminders and dunning notices to reduce overdue invoices.
• Customer Payment Portal: Offers a secure, user-friendly platform for ACH and credit card payments, allowing customers to pay multiple invoices at once.

Why It's Perfect for Food & Beverage (or CPG):

• Centime’s seamless NetSuite integration ensures data accuracy without requiring manual reconciliation.
• Craft Ohana’s CFO highlighted the platform’s ability to streamline workflows, save time, and provide exceptional customer support.
• Live customer support and a dedicated representative ensure smooth onboarding and ongoing assistance.

Pros:

• Deep ERP integrations with NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks.
• AI-driven automation for time-saving efficiency.
• Predictive cash inflow insights.

Cons:

• Focused on integration with NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and QuickBooks only, which may not meet the needs of businesses using other ERP systems.

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Overview: BILL is a cost-effective, user-friendly platform for automating both accounts receivable and payable processes. It integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software, making it an ideal choice for small food and beverage companies.

Key Features:

• Unified Platform: Manages AR and AP processes together for better financial visibility.
• Paper Invoice Support: Allows businesses to send paper invoices directly from the platform.
• Bi-Directional Syncing: Ensures seamless data synchronization with ERP systems.

Pros:

• Transparent, affordable pricing.
• Straightforward integration with major accounting platforms.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to competitors.
• Additional fees for certain transactions.

Overview: HighRadius leverages AI to provide advanced AR automation capabilities, catering primarily to businesses with high transaction volumes. Its Autonomous Receivables solution excels in managing complex workflows and large-scale operations.

Key Features:

• AI-Powered Cash Application: Automates payment matching and reduces manual intervention.
• Predictive Analytics: Enhances forecasting accuracy for cash inflows.
• Robust Reporting: Offers detailed insights into AR performance.

Pros:

• Advanced automation features.
• Exceptional scalability.

Cons:

• Higher cost and complex setup.
• Slower customer support response times.

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Overview: Versapay focuses on fostering collaboration between AR teams and their customers. Its self-service portal and real-time synchronization make it a favorite for businesses that prioritize retailer relationships.

Key Features:

• Customer Portal: Allows buyers to view invoices, make payments, and communicate directly.
• Automated Collections and Reminders: Simplifies follow-ups with customers.
• Real-Time ERP Synchronization: Ensures data accuracy across systems.

Pros:

• Flexible payment options.
• Strong customer collaboration features.

Cons:

• Limited internal reporting capabilities.
• Slower data loading times.

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Overview: Tesorio specializes in cash flow forecasting and predictive analytics, making it a powerful tool for financial planning teams in food and beverage businesses.

Key Features:

• Predictive Analytics: Identifies potential payment delays and their impact on cash flow.
• Automated Collections: Streamlines follow-ups and payment reminders.
• Comprehensive Dashboard: Offers real-time insights into AR performance.

Pros:

• Advanced forecasting tools.
• Real-time updates and insights.

Cons:

• Geared more towards larger enterprises.
• May require additional setup for integration.

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Overview: Payference delivers enterprise-grade AR automation features at a mid-market price point. Its multi-currency support and real-time cash management tools make it a great option for scaling food and beverage companies.

Key Features:

• Multi-Currency Support: Simplifies invoicing for international customers.
• Automated Billing: Reduces manual entry and ensures timely invoice delivery.
• Real-Time Cash Position Updates: Keeps businesses informed about their financial standing.

Pros:

• Comprehensive support options.
• Efficient integration with ERPs like NetSuite.

Cons:

• Subscription-based pricing.
• May require additional customization for some workflows.

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Efficient AR management is critical for food and beverage businesses to thrive in a competitive market. Among the options, Centime stands out as the best overall solution, combining advanced features, deep ERP integration, and industry-specific benefits. However, each platform on this list offers unique strengths tailored to different business needs.

Ready to see how Centime can transform your AR processes? Schedule a demo today to discover how we help food and beverage companies get paid faster, reduce DSO, and improve cash flow.

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