Top 5 Accounts Payable Trends for 2026

Accounts Payable is evolving at breakneck speed—are you ready for what’s next? From AI-powered automation to regulatory mandates and real-time payments, the forces reshaping AP in 2026 are more impactful than ever before. In this exclusive webinar, SoftCo’s AP and finance experts explore the top 5 transformative trends your AP team must prepare for—along with actionable insights on how to future-proof your operations.

Join us as we unpack the biggest opportunities and threats set to shape Accounts Payable in 2026. You’ll gain a clear view of how forward-thinking organizations are preparing now to turn upcoming compliance mandates, emerging fraud risks, and increasing process pressures into competitive advantage.

What we’ll cover:

AI and GenAI move from pilots to embedded AP co-pilots
The great e-invoicing split – mandates in Europe, networks in North America
AP as the first line of defence against AI-powered fraud
Working capital pressure turns AP into a liquidity lever
The death of the cheque and the rise of ‘always-on’ AP

Speaker

Garret Pearse
Finance Technology Consultant - SoftCo

Garret is a senior finance consultant at SoftCo with over 20 years’ experience. Garret specializes in introducing best practice automated P2P processes to global organizations. He has been instrumental in transforming P2P in hundreds of global organizations across all industries.

Speaker

Killian McCarthy
AP & P2P Specialist - SoftCo

Killian is a senior P2P expert at SoftCo who works closely with C-suite finance leaders to define and deliver effective purchase-to-pay strategies. He helps organizations navigate change, align procurement and AP processes, and unlock measurable value through automation and best-practice implementation.

Previous Webinars

On-Demand

Onboard, Manage, and Optimize Suppliers to Control Spend

Supplier Management experts Garret Pearse and Killian McCarthy share best-in-class strategies to onboard and manage your suppliers. This webinar is designed to show Finance, Procurement, and Accounts Payable leaders how world-class organizations are reducing external and internal risk while ensuring compliance. Read more

On-Demand

Why You Need to Automate your AP Process

SoftCo's Brian Bertges and Jason Hery discuss why businesses must automate their AP Processes. Read more

On-Demand

AP Automation – The Risks and Cost of doing Nothing

In this Webinar Mark Brousseau, President of Brousseau and Associates, and Adam McDonagh, SoftCo’s VP North America, discuss the risks and costs of doing nothing when it comes to Accounts Payable Automation. Read more

On Demand Webinar