Finance leaders are managing 2026 under mounting pressure. Economic uncertainty, workforce constraints, fraud concerns, and growing expectations around efficiency are forcing finance teams to examine every process more closely. At the same time, organizations are being asked to accomplish more without corresponding increases in staff or budget.
During the recent Controllers Council webinar, B2B Payment Trends Finance Leaders Are Watching, Amanda Miller, Senior Solutions Consultant at AvidXchange, shared findings from AvidXchange’s 2026 B2B Payment Trends Study, which surveyed more than 500 finance professionals. The discussion explored how finance teams are responding to economic pressures, modernizing payment operations, strengthening fraud controls, and evaluating automation investments.
Finance Teams Continue to Face Growing Demands
One of the clearest themes from the study was the strain being placed on finance organizations.
According to Miller, “80% what we saw in our survey was being reported to ask, being reported to do more less, to moderate to great extent.” Finance leaders are responding by cross-training employees and investing in technology that can help absorb growing workloads without requiring additional staff.
Economic concerns remain significant as organizations prepare for the year ahead. Miller noted that “the overwhelming majority expect moderate to significant changes, with about 87% responding to this.” She added that “a large chunk of finance professionals” identified economic downturn or recession concerns as a primary challenge.
Organizations are revisiting budgets, delaying hiring plans, and seeking ways to maintain operational performance despite tighter resource constraints.
Technology Investment Remains a Priority
While many departments are facing budget scrutiny, finance technology continues to receive attention.
Survey findings showed that organizations are actively evaluating their technology environments, with many seeking to improve existing systems, simplify workflows, and increase automation. Miller explained that “technology is really emerging as the critical lever here, helping teams balance efficiency, demands while maintaining control and accuracy.”
Artificial intelligence is also gaining traction across finance operations.
According to the study, 42% of respondents reported efficiency gains from AI initiatives, while 44% are reinvesting savings into additional technology and automation projects. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for finance professionals, organizations are increasingly treating it as a tool that supports existing teams.
As Miller explained during the Q&A session, “we like to think of AI as assistance rather than something that’s taking over somebody’s job.” She added, “it’s here to help strengthen your team, not take someone’s job away.”
The Shift Away from Paper Checks Is Accelerating
Another major trend highlighted during the webinar was the continued movement toward electronic payments.
The federal government’s planned phase-out of paper checks is prompting many organizations to revisit their payment strategies. According to the survey, 60% of respondents plan to either expand payment options or move primarily to electronic payments within the next two years.
Several factors are driving this transition:
- Improved payment processing efficiency
- Reduced processing costs
- Stronger fraud protection
- Faster supplier payments
- Better visibility into payment status
Miller noted that organizations continue to weigh the direct costs associated with paper checks, stating, “I think on average, we find that it’s what about six dollars to cut and print a check with the cost of stamps, things of that nature.”
For many finance leaders, payment modernization has become both a cost management initiative and a risk reduction strategy.
Fraud Prevention Has Become a Strategic Priority
Payment fraud remains one of the most pressing concerns for finance departments.
During the presentation, Miller cited Treasury Department data showing a dramatic increase in check fraud activity. She shared that “the US Treasury Department has reported a walking 385% increase in check fraud since the pandemic.” She also noted that “76% of organizations experience some kind of payment-related fraud in the past calendar year.”
These risks are changing how organizations approach security investments.
Rather than focusing primarily on response and recovery, many finance teams are emphasizing prevention. Survey findings showed that:
- 53% are investing in employee training and awareness programs
- 50% are enhancing cybersecurity tools and monitoring
- 43% are strengthening payment and fraud prevention controls
Miller summarized the shift by explaining that “the focus is shifting from reacting to these threats to proactively preventing them.”
For controllers and finance leaders, stronger controls around vendor payments are becoming an increasingly important component of overall risk management.
Evaluating Electronic Payment Solutions
The webinar also addressed practical considerations for organizations evaluating electronic payment technologies.
Miller highlighted several areas that deserve careful attention:
- Supplier onboarding and support capabilities
- Electronic payment adoption rates
- Automation functionality
- Audit trail visibility
- Security controls
- Measurable return on investment
She emphasized that ROI calculations should extend beyond labor savings alone, noting that “true return of investment includes rebate revenue, hard cost savings, and reclaim time across the AP function.”
The ability to generate rebate revenue from certain electronic payment methods emerged as a particularly interesting opportunity for organizations seeking additional value from payment modernization efforts.
Automation Helps Teams Scale Without Additional Headcount
One recurring theme throughout the webinar was the ability of automation to support organizational growth without requiring proportional increases in staffing.
When discussing ROI, Miller pointed to operational efficiency as one of the strongest benefits of AP automation.
“This will help your team grow without adding headcount with automation tools like this,” she explained.
She also shared an example of a customer that experienced staffing changes but was able to maintain productivity because automated processes absorbed much of the workload.
For finance leaders facing persistent hiring challenges, this capability may become increasingly valuable as transaction volumes grow and compliance expectations become more demanding.
Looking Ahead
The study findings suggest that finance organizations are entering a period where efficiency, fraud prevention, and payment modernization are becoming closely connected priorities. Economic uncertainty continues to place pressure on teams, yet many leaders are responding by investing in technology that improves productivity, strengthens controls, and supports long-term scalability.
As organizations prepare for the continued decline of paper checks and increasing fraud risks, electronic payments and automation are moving from optional improvements to important elements of finance operations strategy.
Watch the Full Webinar
To hear the complete discussion and explore the full findings from AvidXchange’s 2026 B2B Payment Trends Study, watch the on-demand webinar here.
ABOUT THE SPONSOR:
AvidXchange is a leader in automating invoice, payment and Accounts Payable processes for mid-market organizations. AvidXchange processes more than $242 billion transactions annually, with 1,600 employees, 8,500 customers, and over 265 accounting system integrations. Learn more at www.AvidXchange.com.
