Blog // June 8, 2023

Remote Work Revolution: Streamlining Accounts Receivable for Distributed Teams

Accounts Receivable (AR) management is a cornerstone of any company’s finance operation; it's the process that ensures invoices are issued, tracked, and, most importantly, paid. Traditionally, A/R management has relied on effective collaboration among various teams such as sales, customer service, finance, and legal, who would typically share notes, invoice details, and background information on specific clients. But what happens when the traditional office environment is replaced with remote work? How does AR management adapt to this new landscape?

More and more companies are switching to remote work environments— a shift that has brought with it a host of benefits, from increased flexibility to reduced overhead costs. However, it has also introduced new challenges, particularly when it comes to managing AR, as traditional office structures are shaken up and teams need to find new ways of collaborating effectively.

We'll delve into the challenges of managing AR in remote teams, explore strategies for streamlining the process, and highlight the tools that can make your life easier

Challenges of Managing Accounts Receivable in Remote Teams

While employees often enjoy the newly-found freedom and flexibility that come with work-from-home (WFH) setups, managing A/R in a remote setting is not without its hurdles. Here are some key challenges that many businesses encounter when managing AR with remote teams:

Communication barriers: Without the ability to walk over to a colleague's desk to discuss an invoice or payment issue, misunderstandings can arise and tasks can fall through the cracks.
Tracking and managing invoices: Believe it or not, there are still companies and teams that manage invoices in black and white paper format. In a remote setting, there's absolutely no way around a digital process. Tracking and managing invoices needs to be digitized, which can be a daunting task for teams used to physical paperwork.
Ensuring timely payments: Coordinating payment reminders and follow-ups can be tricky with team members working in different locations and potentially different time zones.
Maintaining data security and privacy: With sensitive financial information being accessed from various locations, ensuring data security is key. Many companies are not aware that commonly used tools like Gmail or Google Drive may not be sufficient to protect sensitive information.

We, at Tesorio, being a remote team ourselves, are certainly no strangers to the above-mentioned challenges.

Processes that often seem to occur organically in an office setting need to be carefully thought out and intentionally implemented in remote settings. While this may be challenging, it can actually be an advantage if done well, as it can reduce interruptions and disruptions among team members.

5 Tips and Strategies for Streamlining Accounts Receivable in Remote Teams

1. Implement a Robust AR Management System: The first step in streamlining your AR process is to implement a robust AR management system. This system should be able to handle all aspects of AR management, from invoice generation to payment tracking. It should also be user-friendly and easily accessible to all team members, regardless of their location.

2. Regular Communication and Updates: Communication is key in a remote setting. Regular updates on AR tasks, such as pending invoices or overdue payments, can help keep everyone on the same page. Consider setting up regular meetings or check-ins (which could also be asynchronous in writing) to discuss AR issues and updates. What’s important is that the check-ins are consistent and done on a regular basis.

3. Set Clear Payment Terms and Conditions: Clear payment terms and conditions can help avoid confusion and disputes down the line. Make sure these terms are clearly communicated to your clients and easily accessible.

4. Automate Invoice Generation and Tracking: Automation is a game-changer in AR management. With the rise of AI and tools, manual processes that were previously prone to errors can now be automated. Automated invoice generation and tracking not only save time but also reduce errors, ensuring that no invoice falls through the cracks.

5. Regular Training and Upskilling of the Team: Regular training and continuous learning can help your team stay on top of the latest tools as well as remote communication tactics. This can also help improve their efficiency and effectiveness in managing AR tasks. There are creative and fun ways to do this; e.g., many remote teams choose to replace some of the traditional office perks with learning perks or budgets for continuous employee learning. This is not only a great way to invest in your people but also to future-proof the business.

By implementing these strategies, you can overcome the challenges of managing AR in a remote setting and ensure a smooth and efficient AR process. You may be surprised to find that a well-structured remote team may actually do their work faster and more effectively than an in-office team.

Tools and Software for Streamlining AR Management in Remote Teams

In the era of remote work, the importance of tools and software cannot be overstated. They serve as the backbone of a robust A/R management system, which is the first step in streamlining your processes. The system can be tool-agnostic, meaning it can be implemented through consistent processes, accountability, and asynchronous communication with other team members. However, the use of a dedicated automated SaaS, like Tesorio, can significantly reduce the dependency on individual team members' discipline and mitigate the risk of human error.

These tools not only automate mundane tasks but also enhance accuracy and efficiency. Here's a brief overview of some top tools, including Tesorio, and how they address remote AR management challenges:

Automated Invoice Generation and Tracking: Tools like Tesorio automate invoice generation and tracking, reducing human error and ensuring no invoice falls through the cracks. They handle all aspects of AR management, from invoice generation to payment tracking, making them indispensable for any finance team.
Real-time Communication and Updates: Tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or other chat tools facilitate real-time communication and updates, keeping everyone on the same page, regardless of their location. This is crucial in a remote work environment where clear and timely communication is key.
Secure Data Management: Regardless of the tool you select, it's crucial to have a strategy for data protection, which involves ensuring the privacy and security of sensitive information. In today's digital age, where data breaches pose a constant threat, this aspect is particularly important. You can’t just leave sensitive data on unprotected Excel files in the cloud or send them back and forth via email. Tesorio, for example, is compliant with several key standards, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and both SOC 1 and SOC 2.
Artificial Intelligence: Optional but very helpful and timely; you may want to consider using AI tools to speed up processes or just use the AI features built into your existing A/R management solution, which can pre-write emails, look for patterns in the data, and much more.

Customers frequently appreciate those exact features when using Tesorio. To quote a testimonial from Tesorio’s G2, ”This platform has drastically saved our company time and resources regarding collection automation. As I have implemented multiple services within Netsuite, this one takes the cake for being the easiest! The flexibility to modify how and when we want to send dunning notices and statements to customers is phenomenal. Additionally, the existing dashboards and AI data analytics have been very helpful. “ (Joshua R. Accountant, Small-Business)

In essence, the right tools and software can transform your AR management process, making it more efficient, accurate, and secure.

Benefits of Streamlining AR in Remote Teams

Streamlining A/R management processes for remote teams is a worthwhile pursuit! When executed effectively, your team stands to reap a multitude of benefits:

Improved Cash Flow

By streamlining A/R, you can ensure timely invoice processing and payment collection, leading to improved cash flow and overall better financial standing. Implementing these processes will help you get paid faster and more efficiently.

Enhanced Team Productivity

Streamlined AR processes (often through automation) reduce the manual workload of your team, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks. Teams that can follow documented and streamlined processes also report lower stress.

Reduced Errors

Automation in AR management reduces the risk of human errors in tasks like invoice generation and payment tracking.

Better Customer Relationships

Efficient AR processes can improve your relationships with customers. Timely and accurate invoicing shows professionalism and respect for the customer's time, which can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

These benefits are interconnected, each contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of your AR management system and the happiness of your team.

At Tesorio, we made the decision to transition our operations to a fully remote model a few years ago. We’re familiar with the challenges as well as the benefits that come with managing a remote finance team. Going remote wasn't a simple shift; it required a complete overhaul of our processes and a commitment to drinking our own kool-aid. We became power users of our own suite of tools, using Tesorio's platform to streamline our AR management and overcome the communication barriers often associated with remote work.

If you're ready to revolutionize your AR processes and embrace the efficiency of remote work, Tesorio is here to help. We've walked this path ourselves, and we're committed to helping you do the same.

Embracing Efficiency: The Future of Accounts Receivable Management

Let's quickly recap the key points we've discussed in this article:

The challenges of managing AR for remote teams include communication barriers, invoice tracking, timely payments, and data security.
Strategies for streamlining AR for remote teams include implementing a robust AR management system, regular communication, clear payment terms, automation, and regular team training.
The role of tools and software, like Tesorio, in enhancing AR management.
The benefits of streamlining AR include improved cash flow, enhanced team productivity, reduced errors, and better customer relationships.

Streamlining AR for remote teams is not just a necessity but a strategic move that can enhance your business operations and growth. With the right strategies and tools, like Tesorio, you can turn the challenges of remote AR management into opportunities for success.