Finance executives across the U.S. are sounding alarms over enterprise resource planning systems’ inability to handle the complexities of modern accounts receivable operations, according to a fresh study commissioned by Billtrust and conducted by Vanson Bourne. Surveying 500 finance leaders, the report titled “ERPs Alone Aren’t Enough: AR Software Required for Predictable Cash Flow” uncovers a stark reality: teams juggle an average of three ERP platforms, yet just 23% believe these systems fully support all AR processes. “As finance teams take on a more strategic role in driving growth and protecting working capital, the limitations of ERP-only AR processes are becoming impossible to ignore,” said Grant Halloran, CEO of Billtrust, in the PR Newswire release.

Billtrust, which has processed over $1 trillion in invoice dollars for more than 2,600 global customers, positions its AI-powered AR workflow and payment software as the antidote. The study reveals 74% of respondents see their ERPs lacking essential automation for AR teams, while 95% assert dedicated AR software yields superior returns on investment compared to ERP-native tools. Organizations augmenting ERPs with specialized AR platforms report concrete gains: 25% reductions in days to pay, 23% drops in days sales outstanding, and 18% improvements in invoice accuracy and on-time delivery.

Automation Emerges as Non-Negotiable Imperative

Nearly all finance leaders—96%—deem automation vital for boosting financial performance and customer experience, with 98% expressing confidence in AI’s prowess for AR management. Looking ahead, 94% predict AI-powered forecasting and prediction will prove very or extremely important within two years. These tools promise insights ERPs can’t deliver alone, such as spotting payment risks, averting disputes, and enabling proactive decisions. Half of surveyed organizations plan investments in third-party AR solutions over the next 12 months, dismissing integration hurdles as surmountable.

This shift marks AR teams’ evolution from mere transactional handlers to predictive finance powerhouses. Purpose-built platforms serve as the unifying layer across disparate ERPs, centralizing data, automating intelligence, and furnishing real-time visibility to safeguard cash flow and resilience. “AI is fundamentally reshaping AR,” Halloran added. “This research shows that organizations augmenting their ERPs with specialized AR platforms are already seeing the benefits of faster payments, fewer disputes, and clearer visibility into financial risk.”

ERP Shortcomings Echo Across Earlier Probes

Prior research reinforces these findings. A 2024 Datos Insights survey of 1,037 midsize and large firms, commissioned by Billtrust, found 82% of non-users eager for AR automation to enhance cash flow and satisfaction, deeming ERPs and bank portals insufficient for complex tasks. Payment settlement speed (46%), real-time visibility (44%), and ERP payments integration (42%) topped strategy gaps, as detailed on Billtrust’s site. Another Vanson Bourne poll of 500 AR automation users showed 100% reporting gains like faster payments and cost cuts, with full adopters slashing days to pay by over 40%.

Billtrust’s 2025 milestones underscore its AR dominance: G2 crowned it a leader for 19 straight quarters in Winter 2026, awarding 35 badges for ease, implementation, and ROI, per PR Newswire. Innovations like Collections Agentic Procedures introduced AI agents for autonomous collections, building on 2025 releases that unified automation and insights. A Wakefield Research study echoed AI’s AR imperative, with 99% of enterprises noting faster payments.

AI Trust and Integration Realities Reshape Priorities

Yet caution prevails. An 82% majority of finance leaders worry about AI misuse, demanding transparency and oversight, from a Billtrust study reported on PR Newswire. IDC research pegs Billtrust clients’ average annual benefits at $3.66 million via improved forecasting. G2 reviewers praise seamless ERP ties: “Integration with our ERP and accounting system went smoothly. Billtrust delivers on what it promises—automation, reliability, and visibility.”

Webinar panels stress swift implementations—months, not years—hinging on data readiness, as in Billtrust’s “Cash Flow Predictability and Accounts Receivable Automation Trends for 2026.” Broader market dynamics amplify urgency: ERP software hits $72.6 billion in 2025, eyeing $225.4 billion by 2035 at 12% CAGR, per Research Nester, but AR demands outpace generalist capabilities. X discussions highlight ERP rigidity, with users decrying 30-year-old systems trapping firms in inefficiency.

Strategic Path Forward for AR Resilience

Finance chiefs must prioritize interoperable AR platforms bridging ERP silos, embedding AI for risk detection and dispute prevention. Billtrust’s Unified AR, spanning invoicing to cash application across 40 industries, exemplifies this, per Gartner Peer Insights. As agentic AI matures, early adopters gain edges in liquidity and forecasting amid economic pressures.

Regulatory surges like e-invoicing mandates, detailed in Billtrust’s Deloitte-collaborated 2025 report, further compel action. With 75% of leaders viewing AR as strategic per Vanson Bourne, the pivot to specialized software isn’t optional—it’s the linchpin for competitive financial operations in 2026 and beyond.