Best Practices for Accounts Receivable and Payable Management

Best Practices for Accounts Receivable and Payable Management

Optimise Your Cash Cycle with AI-Enhanced Collections, Forecasting, and Working Capital Strategy

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Date Venue Duration
19 - 23 October 2026 Pretoria, Gauteng 5 Days

Course Introduction

This comprehensive Best Practices for Accounts Receivable and Payable Management training programme explores the best practices for managing accounts receivable and payable with a focus on optimising the cash cycle. Participants will learn strategies to enhance cash flow management, streamline financial processes, and drive operational excellence — including how AI is now transforming collections, payment risk scoring, and rolling cash flow forecasts. This programme equips participants with the skills and tools needed to maximise financial stability and organisational performance.

Course Duration Options

This course is available in two formats, so you can choose the depth that fits your time and needs:

2-Day Essentials Core Foundations

Cash cycle fundamentals, AR and AP essentials, working capital, forecasting, and technology essentials.

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

Both formats are delivered face-to-face, virtually, or in-house, and share the same practical, hands-on instructional approach.

Course Objectives

By the end of this programme, participants will be able to:
  • Optimise accounts receivable processes to improve cash flow, including AI-driven collections that deliver DSO reductions in the region of 30-40% in well-implemented programmes
  • Implement best practices for efficient accounts payable management
  • Analyse and enhance the cash cycle for better liquidity
  • Develop strategies to improve working capital
  • Leverage advanced tools and techniques for effective cash cycle management, including AI-powered rolling forecasts and payment risk scoring

Who should attend?

  • Financial Managers
  • Accounts Receivable and Payable Professionals
  • Treasury Analysts
  • Controllers
  • CFOs and Financial Executives
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 — Training Outline

DAY 1 — Cash Cycle Fundamentals, AR, and AP Essentials
Introduction to Cash Cycle Management
  • Definition, key components, and metrics of the cash cycle
  • Impact of the cash cycle on liquidity and organisational health
Accounts Receivable Essentials
  • Accurate, timely invoicing and accelerating collections
  • Reducing DSO: AI-driven collections and payment risk scoring are now delivering DSO reductions of roughly 30-40% in well-implemented programmes
  • Managing customer credit risk and setting effective credit terms
Accounts Payable Essentials
  • Optimising payment schedules and negotiating favourable supplier terms
  • Managing supplier relationships and resolving disputes effectively

DAY 2 — Working Capital, Forecasting, and Technology
Working Capital and Cash Flow Forecasting Essentials
  • Balancing receivables and payables for improved cash flow
  • Forecasting cash flow needs, including AI-powered rolling forecasts — continuously updated with every new transaction rather than requiring manual rebuilds
Financial Analysis and Technology Essentials
  • Key performance indicators for cash cycle analysis
  • Business intelligence tools and cash management software
  • Aligning cash cycle processes with broader financial strategy
Close-Out
  • Building your own cash cycle improvement action plan
  • Deciding whether the 5-Day Comprehensive programme is the right next step

5-Day Comprehensive — Training Outline

Day 1: Cash Cycle Fundamentals and Accounts Receivable Best Practices
Introduction to Cash Cycle Management
  • Definition and key components of the cash cycle
  • Importance of efficient cash cycle management
  • Metrics to evaluate cash cycle performance
  • Impact of the cash cycle on liquidity and organisational health
  • Case studies of successful cash cycle optimisation
Accounts Receivable Best Practices
  • Overview of accounts receivable processes
  • Strategies for accurate and timely invoicing
  • Techniques to accelerate collections and reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), including AI-driven collections and payment risk scoring, which deliver DSO reductions of roughly 30-40% in well-implemented programmes
  • Managing customer credit risk and setting effective credit terms
  • Tools and technologies for streamlined receivables management

Day 2: Advanced Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Best Practices
Advanced Accounts Receivable Techniques
  • Implementing automated invoicing and payment systems
  • Effective strategies for debt collection and dispute resolution
  • Optimising credit policies and evaluating credit limits
  • Managing complex customer accounts and high-value transactions
  • Leveraging data analytics to improve receivables outcomes
Accounts Payable Best Practices
  • Overview of accounts payable processes
  • Strategies for optimising payment schedules and cash flow
  • Negotiating favourable supplier terms
  • Managing supplier relationships and resolving disputes effectively
  • Tools and technologies for streamlined payables management

Day 3: Advanced Payables and Working Capital Optimisation
Advanced Accounts Payable Strategies
  • Automating payment systems for efficiency
  • Maximising early payment discounts and supplier financing
  • Optimising payment cycles and workflows
  • Managing supplier risk and ensuring compliance
  • Using data analytics to improve payables processes
Working Capital Optimisation
  • Techniques for managing and optimising working capital
  • Balancing receivables and payables for improved cash flow
  • Strategies for efficient inventory and procurement management
  • Forecasting cash flow needs and maintaining liquidity
  • Tools for comprehensive working capital analysis

Day 4: Cash Flow Forecasting and Financial Analysis
Cash Flow Forecasting and Planning
  • Best practices for accurate cash flow forecasting
  • Developing short-term and long-term cash flow plans
  • AI-powered rolling forecasts: continuously updated projections that incorporate every new bank transaction, invoice, and payment, rather than requiring manual weekly rebuilds
  • Analysing trends and managing cash reserves effectively
  • Leveraging tools for enhanced forecasting and planning
Financial Analysis and Reporting
  • Key performance indicators for cash cycle analysis
  • Techniques for analysing accounts receivable and payable data
  • Preparing and presenting cash cycle reports to stakeholders
  • Financial ratios for assessing cash cycle performance
  • Best practices for financial reporting and transparency

Day 5: Technology and Strategic Integration
Technology and Tools for Cash Cycle Management
  • Overview of cutting-edge technologies for cash management, including AI-driven forecasting and payment risk scoring platforms
  • Automated systems for invoicing and payments
  • Business intelligence tools for actionable insights
  • Selecting and implementing cash management software
  • Exploring future innovations in cash cycle technology
Integrating Cash Cycle Management with Financial Strategy
  • Aligning cash cycle processes with broader financial strategies
  • Integrating operational and financial planning
  • Enhancing cross-functional collaboration for cash optimisation
  • Identifying and mitigating risks in cash cycle management
  • Continuous improvement strategies for sustained success

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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 – Best Practices for Accounts Receivable and Payable Management

Master best practices in accounts receivable and payable management to improve cash flow, strengthen payment controls, reduce outstanding balances, manage supplier obligations, and optimise working capital.

What topics are covered in the Best Practices for Accounts Receivable and Payable Management course?
The course covers credit policy formulation, working capital optimization, invoicing workflows, automated collection strategies, early payment discount structuring, vendor relationship management, three-way matching controls, and fraud prevention in AR/AP operations.
Who should attend the Accounts Receivable and Payable Management course?
This course is designed for AR/AP managers, credit controllers, financial accountants, billing specialists, procurement officers, treasury staff, and finance supervisors seeking to optimize cash collection cycles and streamline vendor disbursement processes.
How does this course help improve cash flow and reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)?
Delegates learn proven strategies to accelerate receivables collection, reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), eliminate dispute delays, evaluate customer credit risk effectively, and optimize Days Payable Outstanding (DPO) without damaging supplier relationships.
How long is the Accounts Receivable and Payable Management training course?
The programme is structured as an intensive 2 to 3-day practical masterclass featuring credit risk assessment exercises, AR aging analytics workshops, invoice processing automation case studies, and internal control checklists.
What practical skills and tools will delegates gain from this masterclass?
Delegates gain practical tools to design credit vetting models, build automated debt collection escalation paths, implement robust internal payment controls, prevent duplicate or fraudulent payments, and establish key operational AR/AP metrics.
Can Prospen Africa deliver this course as customized in-house training?
Yes. Prospen Africa can tailor the masterclass to focus on your company's specific credit terms, ERP/accounting system workflows, internal approval matrices, and industry-specific collection or payment challenges.

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