Office Administration and Secretarial Masterclass

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accounts Payable

From Automated Invoice Capture to Predictive Cash Flow and AP Fraud Analytics

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Date Venue Duration
26 - 30 October 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 5 Days
30 November - 04 December 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 5 Days

Course Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising Accounts Payable (AP) by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing accuracy, and enabling finance teams to make smarter, faster decisions. From intelligent invoice capture and 3-way matching to fraud detection and predictive cash flow analytics, AI is transforming AP into a strategic value driver. 

 

This practical, hands-on masterclass is designed to take AP and Finance professionals on a journey from foundational AI concepts to real-world implementation. Using live demonstrations, real datasets, and low-code tools that integrate with common ERP systems, participants will gain the skills, artefacts, and strategies to embed AI in their AP processes for measurable impact. 

Course Duration Options

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accounts Payable is available in two formats, so you can choose the depth that fits your time and needs:

2-Day Essentials Core Foundations

Core AI foundations, intelligent invoice processing, essential analytics and fraud controls, and a first-draft AP AI roadmap.

Ideal for: Those who need practical, immediate capability without an extended time commitment.

Course Objectives

By the end of this Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accounts Payable programme, you will be able to:
  • Demystify AI/ML: Clearly explain AI and machine learning concepts, with concrete examples in AP
  • Transform Invoice Processing: Deploy AI for automated invoice capture, coding, matching, and exception handling
  • Build Smart Dashboards: Design and develop AP dashboards with advanced KPIs, anomaly detection, and predictive analytics
  • Combat Fraud and Error: Detect duplicates, identify ghost vendors, and spot suspicious transactions using both rules and machine learning
  • Optimise Working Capital: Leverage AI to enhance budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and payment scheduling
  • Strengthen Risk Controls: Design AP fraud scenarios and implement continuous control monitoring with AI
  • Integrate Seamlessly: Connect low-code AI/RPA solutions to leading ERP and collaboration platforms
  • Lead Ethically: Address ethical, transparency, bias, and data privacy issues (POPIA/GDPR) in financial AI applications
  • Champion Change: Drive transformation by building the skills, roles, and operating models needed for an AI-enabled AP Centre of Excellence
  • Deliver Results: Produce a 90-day AP AI roadmap and business case tailored to your organisation

Who should attend?

  • Accounts Payable Managers, Team Leaders, and Practitioners
  • Finance Executives (CFOs, Finance Directors, Financial Controllers)
  • Accountants & Management Accountants
  • Auditors, Compliance, and Internal Control Officers
  • Financial and Business Analysts
  • Risk Managers and Fraud Prevention Specialists
  • IT & Digital Transformation Professionals Supporting Finance
  • Shared Services & BPO Team Leads
  • Procurement, Vendor Master & Supply Chain Stakeholders
  • Consultants and Advisors in Financial Process Automation

Targeted Competencies

  • Applied AI & ML for Finance
  • Data Preparation & Interpretation
  • Automated Bookkeeping & Real-Time Reporting
  • Fraud & Anomaly Detection
  • Predictive Cash Flow & Payment Analytics
  • Risk & Control Automation
  • KPI Design & Visualisation (Power BI/Excel)
  • ERP & RPA Integration
  • Financial Data Privacy & Governance
  • Vendor Experience & Self-Service
  • Strategic Planning for AI in Finance
Finance Courses

Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

2-Day Essentials Programme
DAY 1 — Foundations, Invoice Processing, and Data Readiness
AI Foundations and Data Readiness
  • AP value chain overview: invoice to payment & reporting
  • Key AI/ML concepts for finance: supervised/unsupervised learning, NLP, OCR, anomaly detection
  • Data governance essentials: POPIA/GDPR, data minimisation, retention, auditability
Intelligent Invoice Processing & 3-Way Match
  • Document AI & OCR for invoice data extraction
  • AI-powered coding & approvals; exception workflows
  • Duplicate detection: rules vs. machine learning, vendor & IBAN validation
  • Outcomes: Practical: building a baseline AP KPI model in Power BI, and duplicate/exception detection with Excel.
DAY 2 — Analytics, Fraud Controls, and Your Roadmap
Analytics, Forecasting & Working Capital Essentials
  • Designing effective AP KPIs: exception rate, 3-way match cycle, touchless processing
  • Predictive analytics essentials: cash flow, payment scheduling, dynamic discounting
AI-Driven Risk Management & Fraud Controls Essentials
  • Common fraud schemes: shell vendors, split invoices, control overrides
  • Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM): real-time alerts & ML signals
  • Outcomes: Practical: building a risk scoring dashboard in Power BI.
Your AP AI Roadmap
  • Evaluating and selecting AP/AI tools
  • Building the case for an AI-enabled AP function
  • Drafting the first version of your own AP AI roadmap
  • Outcomes: Deciding whether the 5-Day Comprehensive programme is the right next step for full implementation depth.
5-Day Comprehensive Programme
Day 1: Foundations – AI for AP & Data Readiness
Morning
  • AP value chain overview: invoice to payment & reporting
  • Key AI/ML concepts for finance: supervised/unsupervised learning, NLP, OCR, anomaly detection
  • Data governance essentials: POPIA/GDPR, data minimisation, retention, auditability
  • Data quality in AP: vendor master, chart of accounts, PO policy, receipt integrity
Afternoon (Practical)
  • Practical: clean AP datasets in Power Query; build baseline AP KPI model in Power BI.
  • Case Study: AP transformation — shared services before & after.
  • Outcomes: Data quality checklist, foundational dashboard scaffold.
Day 2: Intelligent Invoice Processing & 3-Way Match
Morning
  • Document AI & OCR for invoice data extraction (VAT, line items, confidence scoring)
  • AI-powered coding & approvals; exception workflows
  • Strategies for duplicate detection: rules vs. machine learning, vendor & IBAN validation
Afternoon (Practical)
  • Practical: duplicate/exception detection with Excel & Power BI.
  • Demo: build a low-code AP workflow (Power Automate/UiPath).
  • Template: AP exception management playbook & SLAs.
  • Outcomes: Automation blueprint for AP intake, validation, and routing.
Day 3: Analytics, Forecasting & Working Capital
Morning
  • Designing effective AP KPIs: exception rate, 3-way match cycle, touchless processing
  • Predictive analytics: cash flow, payment scheduling, dynamic discounting
  • Supplier performance & terms optimisation
Afternoon (Practical)
  • Practical: AP aging & cash flow forecast dashboard (Power BI).
  • What-if analysis: impact of discount policies & term changes.
  • Case Study: real-world working capital improvement.
  • Outcomes: Analytics for treasury/supplier negotiations.
Day 4: AI-Driven Risk Management & Fraud Controls
Morning
  • Common fraud schemes: shell vendors, split invoices, control overrides
  • Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM): real-time alerts & ML signals
  • Model risk: explainability, managing false positives/negatives, audit trail
Afternoon (Practical)
  • Practical: build risk scoring & control dashboards (Power BI).
  • Design practical fraud response workflows.
  • Outcomes: Actionable CCM, stronger fraud detection, audit readiness.
Day 5: Implementation, People, & the AP AI Roadmap
Morning
  • Evaluating & selecting AP/AI tools; integration strategies with ERP & e-invoicing
  • Building an AP Centre of Excellence: new roles & skills for AI in AP
  • Change management: upskilling, communication, handling resistance
  • Measuring benefits: ROI tracking, in-house vs. outsourcing decisions
Afternoon (Practical Exercise Project)
  • Practical: assemble an end-to-end AP AI mini-solution.
  • Present your implementation roadmap & business case.
  • Individual feedback & personal action planning.
  • Outcomes: Executive-ready collateral, clear path for AI-enabled AP.

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Success Stories

Discover how our courses enhance professionals’ effectiveness in their workplaces.

uMngeni-uThukela Water

IFRS Updates Trainings

What made the sessions exceptionally helpful was the deliberate focus on actionable strategies rather than just high-level concepts. The structured approach kept the content engaging. It was a highly impactful professional development experience.

Telekom Networks Malawi Plc

Financial Analysis, Modelling and Forecasting

It has been a really fruitful and helpful training. Many thanks to PROSPEN AFRICA and the facilitator Olufemi. This is definitely going to make my work life easier and meaningful.

Northam Booysendal Mine

Mastering Payroll Preparation, Analysis, and Management

The course really taught us deep in to Payroll and made us aware of things we were not aware of.

Telekom Networks Malawi PLC

Financial Analysis, Modelling and Forecasting

The training was very insightful and the facilitator was very engaging which made everything easier to understand and follow. It has really equipped us in our areas of lack and we feel confident now on our next assignments on forecasts and analysis

Magalies Water

GRAP training

The course was practical, informative and relevant

FAQs – Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Accounts Payable

Master AI-driven invoice processing, optical character recognition (OCR) automation, automated exception handling, and predictive fraud detection to streamline accounts payable workflows and reduce operational errors.

What topics are covered in the AI in Accounts Payable training?
The course covers optical character recognition (OCR) invoice capture, automated 2-way and 3-way matching algorithms, duplicate payment and fraud detection, AI-driven approval routing, vendor portal automation, and real-time AP analytics.
Who should attend the AI in Accounts Payable course?
This training is designed for Accounts Payable managers, financial controllers, shared services directors, procurement officers, accounts clerks, and finance transformation leads wanting to modernize invoice processing workflows.
What are the key learning objectives of this AP automation training?
Delegates learn to eliminate touch-heavy manual invoice entry, reduce cycle times, prevent duplicate or fraudulent disbursements, implement intelligent exception handling, and seamless ERP integration (SAP, Oracle, Sage, Xero).
How long is the AI in Accounts Payable training course?
The programme is delivered as an intensive 5-day practical workshop featuring step-by-step invoice extraction workflows, exception-resolution exercises, and AP system architectural reviews.
What practical skills will delegates gain from this workshop?
Participants will gain hands-on skills in setting up document capture templates, configuring automated approval hierarchies, auditing automated GL coding logic, and monitoring AP performance KPIs via AI dashboards.
Can Prospen Africa deliver this course as customized in-house training?
Yes. Prospen Africa can customize the training to match your organization's ERP environment, specific approval matrix, current invoice volume requirements, and audit control policies.

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