In my last blog post, I stressed that AP document management technology is only as strong as the procure-to-pay (P2P) processes and best practices that underpin it. I also stated that getting value out of your AP technology investment meant taking a hard look at whether your organization's P2P process is an enabler or detractor of efficiency.

By Lynda Foertschbeck, Executive Vice President, IRSCompliance, Inc.

Too many organizations incorrectly believe that they are in compliance with individual state reporting requirements or they may believe that filing their returns under the IRS Combined Federal Program (CFS) has satisfied their requirements. Others simply do not follow state requirements and do not deploy any resources on understanding the requirements and the risks for non-compliance.

By Jim Mandt

Having implemented AP document management and workflow technology in midmarket organizations across the country for more than 20 years, I’ve seen the power of technology in affecting positive and productive change – not only for the organizations themselves, but for suppliers, partners and the entire ecosystem.

The days of paper invoices in Europe may be numbered. Proposed changes to European invoicing requirements could improve electronic invoice adoption while making it easier for U.S. companies to reclaim value-added tax payments.

A press release issued by the European Union announced that the Council of Economic Affairs has decided to simplify VAT invoice requirements, specifically with the goal to promote the adoption of e-invoicing.

The president’s newly-released budget proposal for fiscal year 2011 could have a direct impact on your accounts payable department.

Each year the president releases a document outlining policy initiatives that his office would like to see included in the finalized budget. This year, the “General Explanations of the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2011 Revenue Proposals,” also called the president’s Green Book, includes two proposals that AP departments should be aware of.

It can sometimes feel like there is an invisible tug-of-war match going on between buyers and suppliers over payment card acceptance. While buyers want to use p-cards so they can save money on payment processing and improve cash flow, some vendors find that the costs of accepting cards outweigh the benefits.

Wow, the color! I especially love those fiery Maples this time of year and the breathtaking show nature puts on for its last gasp before we settle in for those cozy long winter naps.

While driving around your neighborhood, I’m sure you have neighbors who diligently rake their leaves on a sunny weekend day, open the windows, and engage in a little fall home detailing. They also do the same thing for their prized (or not so prized) automobiles.

Hundreds of AP professionals stopped to visit The Accounts Payable Network’s booth at October’s IOMA Accounts Payable Conference and Expo.

Visitors to the booth were treated to a real-time demonstration of the TAPN homepage by Manager, Marketing Operations Whitney Vail (left) and Director, e-Learning Gordon Bivens (right). The visitors learned about the many benefits of TAPN membership, including access to downloadable tools and policy manuals, timely benchmark surveys, and a wealth of articles on every aspect of the payables process.

I LOVE football, especially the NFL (and that catchy Monday Night Football theme song). I especially love my hometown team, The Washington Redskins - yes, I know it hasn’t been a good year for them, but that’s a blog for an entirely different site.

But, win or lose, they are my team and they do have three Super Bowl rings. Not as many as the Steelers, Patriots or Cowboys, but if you have even one Super Bowl ring, you did all the right things to get there. You know what it takes to be the best and how attention to detail yields results you can be proud of.