For today’s controllers, balancing the books is only the beginning. You’re no longer just a steward of financial accuracy — you’re a chief value extractor, charged with improving working capital, accelerating cash flow and driving digital transformation across the finance function.

And there’s one area where this transformation is overdue: accounts receivable (AR).

Too much cash is tied up in debtors, reporting is siloed and slow and finance teams spend more time reconciling than strategizing. But AR automation is changing all of that by turning the AR function into a driver of cash, confidence, and competitive advantage.

Here’s why it’s become a top priority for controllers.

1. Unlock trapped cash

According to PwC, $1.5 trillion is trapped on balance sheets worldwide. AR automation helps release that cash faster by streamlining collections, improving match rates and reducing days sales outstanding (DSO). More cash in the bank means fewer costly borrowing needs and greater flexibility for investment.

2. Gain cashflow visibility

Knowing when you’ll get paid is as important as knowing that you’ll get paid. AR automation provides real-time data on payment behaviors, enabling controllers to forecast cash flow with confidence, coordinate with treasury, and avoid surprises.

3. Strengthen shareholder confidence

Liquidity, gearing and return on capital employed are under the microscope. By reducing debtors and improving working capital, controllers can demonstrate financial health and reinforce trust with investors — even in uncertain markets.

4. Turn data into decisions

Manual reporting can’t keep up with today’s pace of business. With AR automation, controllers gain instant access to actionable intelligence — from customer payment trends to AR team performance metrics. This enables faster, smarter decisions that deliver measurable results.

5. Improve cost efficiency

AR automation isn’t just about cutting headcount — it’s about cutting waste. By eliminating low-value manual tasks, controllers can redirect resources toward higher-value work, reducing the cost of finance while increasing its impact.

6. Scale without adding headcount

When companies grow, bad processes scale with them. AR automation fixes the process, not just the staffing gap, but delivering capacity, improving morale and avoiding costly FTE additions.

7. Deliver value beyond finance

AR automation doesn’t just transform AR. It unites finance, credit and commercial teams around a single, real-time view of cash flow and collections. The result? Better decisions, fewer disputes, and a stronger, healthier business.

AR automation is no longer optional. It’s a strategic lever that helps controllers free up cash, strengthen financial health, and become a true driver of business value.

Now is the time to move from reconciling yesterday’s numbers to shaping tomorrow’s results.

Discover how AR automation can transform your office of the controller. Download the white paper to learn why AR is important to the Office of the Controller.