Our Latest Articles
Insights, guides, and explainers from our AP experts — covering everything from processes and best practice to automation and controls.
What are the benefits of AI for business in 2026?
The main benefits of AI in 2026 are higher productivity, fewer errors, lower costs, sharper decisions, stronger fraud detection and less repetitive work. The bi
Three-Way Matching in Accounts Payable
How three-way matching works, how it compares to 2-way and 4-way matching, when to use each, and how to automate it in accounts payable.
What are the benefits of AI for business in 2026?
The main benefits of AI in 2026 are higher productivity, fewer errors, lower costs, sharper decisions, stronger fraud detection and less repetitive work. The bi
Three-Way Matching in Accounts Payable
How three-way matching works, how it compares to 2-way and 4-way matching, when to use each, and how to automate it in accounts payable.
What is Sage Intacct? Introducing the benefits AP Automation
Discover what Sage Intacct is, its core features and benefits, and how pairing it with Zahara's AP automation streamlines invoices, approvals and cash flow.
AP Automation for Microsoft Dynamics 365
How to add accounts payable automation to Microsoft Dynamics 365: integration options, a step-by-step setup guide, and best practices.
Understanding Accounts Payable Solutions
A practical guide to accounts payable automation solutions: how they work, the benefits, key features, implementation tips, and industry uses.
What is AP Automation?
Discover what AP automation is, how it works, and why finance teams use it to process invoices faster with fewer errors and stronger control.
AP Automation Solution: Find the Right Software for You
Learn what an AP automation solution is, the benefits it delivers, and how to choose the right accounts payable software for your business.
Accounts Payable Automation Best Practices
Automation is sold as a cure-all for messy workflows, but done badly it makes things worse. Here's how to get AP automation right — and sidestep the usual traps
The Benefits of AP Automation
A practical guide to AP automation: how automating accounts payable saves time, cuts errors and improves control — and how to choose the right software.
The Power of Exploring Alternatives to Dext
Frustrated by Dext's recent pricing changes? You're not alone. Discover why bookkeepers are exploring Zahara — full AP automation at a fairer price.
Purchase to Pay: The Full Cycle Explained
Purchase-to-pay is the journey every purchase takes, from request to payment. Here is how the six steps work and why joining them up keeps spending in control.
A Guide to Vendor Payment Automation
Late payments, stuck approvals, manual keying: vendor payment automation clears the lot. How it works, where it pays off, and what to ask before you buy.
Tracking Spend with Approval Workflows
It is easy to spend money that isn't yours. Spend approval workflows put someone in charge of saying no, and give you a live view of every committed cost.
Zahara vs ApprovalMax
Zahara vs ApprovalMax compared on integrations, purchase-to-pay scope, invoice capture, payments and pricing — and which one fits your business best.
What is a purchase order?
Purchase orders help businesses manage spending before money leaves the business by creating a clear record of what is being purchased, who approved it.
Accounts Payable Automation for Construction Firms
Construction runs on invoices and the UK's longest payment delays. See how Zahara's AP automation cuts costs, tracks budgets live and pays suppliers on time.
Approvals for Business Central
See how Zahara adds distributed purchasing, multi-step approvals and AI invoice capture on top of Business Central — without a BC licence for every approver.
Automated Invoice Processing
A practical guide to choosing automated invoice processing software — what to look for on integration, ease of use and security, and where the real savings come
Accounts Payable Management: The Guide
Managing accounts payable, explained — the process, common pitfalls, best practices, and where automation saves the most time.
Purchase Approvals for Xero
See how Zahara adds purchase orders, approval workflows and automatic invoice capture on top of Xero — so nothing gets paid without sign-off.
Stop Approving Supplier Invoices — Fix Your Process Earlier
Late payments cost more than you think — missed discounts, penalties, and £15+ admin per invoice. See how AP automation cuts the hidden costs.
5 Reasons to Automate Payments in Your Finance Team
Automate payments to cut invoice costs, speed up approvals, reduce fraud and pay suppliers on time. Five reasons finance teams are making the switch.
Sage Drive
Sage Drive isn't true cloud. Here's why we're dropping support for Sage Remote Data Access — and the three options open to you, from Xero to one-way SmartSync.
AP Checklist for New Starters
New to accounts payable? This checklist covers what to focus on in your first few weeks, from mapping the process to spotting quick wins and fraud risks.
Revamp for 2026 Purchase Orders
Adopting a robust purchase order approval solution is a must; let us explain why.
Combating AP Fraud
Where does AP fraud hide, and how can automation shut it down? A practical guide for finance teams weighing up digitalisation.
Accounts Payable Workflow Automation: Getting Started
Chasing approvals over email? Automated AP workflows put the right invoice in front of the right person, every time. Here's how to get yours right.
Accounting Software for Non-profits
Choosing accounting software is a big decision for any non-profit. This thorough guide answers the questions you're likely asking as you start from scratch.
Purchase Order Automation: What is it?
Purchase order automation is what Zahara is all about: cutting the manual work that slows you down for a watertight operation. Here's how — kept short.
Purchase Requisitions vs Purchase Orders
Purchase requisition vs purchase order: two similar-sounding terms, two different jobs. Here's what sets them apart, what goes on each, and when to use them.
What is a Goods Received Note?
A Goods Received Note (GRN) is a cornerstone of accounts payable — and it matters even more once you've automated your AP.
Planned Purchase Orders
Need supplies with long lead times, like construction materials or medicine? Planned purchase orders are essential. Here's why — plus a free template.
Best Invoice Approval Automation Software in 2026
Discover how invoice approval automation reduces delays, improves accuracy, and gives finance teams greater control over AP workflows.
Stop retrospective purchase orders in your small business
Card Description Discover how Zahara’s PO software helps small businesses control spend, cut retrospective purchase orders, and give finance real-time visibilit
Why Are Purchase Order Approvals Essential?
From budget control to fraud prevention, discover how PO approvals protect your business and speed up invoice processing.
When Every Purchase Adds Up (Or Does It?)
Why the sums always seem to work when you really want something — and why every business needs a "Louise" to check purchase requests before Man Maths wins.
Invoice Processing Software
Discover how invoice processing software automates approvals, reduces errors, cuts costs, and gives finance teams greater control.
Accounts Payable Software for Small Businesses
Why waiting to automate accounts payable costs small businesses time, money and supplier trust — and how to know when it's time to invest.
Purchase Order Management
Purchase order management brings structure to procurement — approvals, sign-off limits, and audit trails that stop rogue spending before it happens.
Single-Use Purchase Orders Explained
What single-use POs are, when to use them, and how they help finance teams control spend and reduce duplicate payments.
Should You Create Retrospective Purchase Orders?
Invoice arrived with no PO? Learn why creating a retrospective purchase order is usually the wrong move — and what to do instead in Zahara.
Business Documents Explained
Understand common business documents, from purchase orders and invoices to GRNs, statements and receipts.
The 4th Industrial Revolution
How AI, data analytics and automation are driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution and reshaping modern finance.
The Benefits of Cloud Based Software
Discover the benefits of cloud-based software, including security, scalability, cost savings and remote access.
What Expenses Can Employees Claim?
Learn what expenses employees can claim, HMRC rules businesses should follow, and how to manage expense claims correctly.
Employee Expenses: The Complete Guide for UK Businesses (2026)
Learn how employee expenses work, what staff can claim, and how AI-powered expense management improves approvals, compliance, and reimbursements.
AI's Impact on Accounts Payable in 2026
Discover how AI is revolutionizing accounts payable in 2026, enhancing efficiency through automation and intelligent processing.
Capture Early Payment Discounts
Learn how finance teams can capture more early payment discounts with automated approval workflows and smart payment scheduling. Discover the savings potential,