CFOs See Payments Modernization as Key to Cash Flow, but Few Have the Infrastructure in Place, New Research Finds

Survey of U.S. and Canadian finance leaders highlights persistent challenges with invoicing, payment delays and real-time cash visibility, as businesses face mounting financial pressures.

PLANO, Texas, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly three-quarters (72%) of finance leaders believe modernizing payments would significantly help address their cash flow challenges, yet just 21% report having modernized and effective payments infrastructure in place, according to new research from Fortis. The findings come as businesses face rising operating costs, inflation and an increasingly complex economic environment, putting greater pressure on finance leaders to improve cash flow.

For many businesses, outdated payment systems and manual financial processes can contribute to delayed collections, limited cash visibility and mounting pressure on working capital.

"Increased automation is a real opportunity to change what finance can contribute to the business. When finance teams spend less time on manual processes and more time analyzing payment data, they can identify opportunities to manage risk and make better business decisions," said Brent Coles, CFO of Fortis. "Instead of simply reporting on what happened last month, CFOs can help shape decisions around pricing, investments and growth, becoming true strategic partners to the business."

The findings are from a new report, Signal: The B2B Finance Report, which surveyed 100 senior finance leaders at small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) across the U.S. and Canada, from Fortis, in partnership with Avalara and Traild. The research examines how CFOs are navigating mounting financial pressures, modernizing payment operations and adapting to an increasingly complex business environment.

The research also points to opportunities for finance teams to close this gap through better-connected payment systems and greater automation, particularly in areas such as invoicing, where manual work can contribute to payment delays and cash flow challenges.

Other key findings include:

• Cash flow remains a major concern: 61% cite high Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) as a top working capital concern, while 59% point to a lack of real-time cash visibility.
• More integrated financial systems are linked to better outcomes: Those with more connected financial systems report higher invoice accuracy, lower average DSO and greater use of payments data to inform business decisions. They're also more likely to be seen by the CEO and board as strategic growth partners rather than functional resources.
• Complexity and resistance to change are major barriers to automation: 75% cite the difficulty of integrating automation with existing systems and tools, while 64% point to organizational inertia or a preference for maintaining current processes, despite their limitations. For CFOs, the challenge of improving automation extends beyond any single technology. Financial operations often span multiple systems, departments and payment methods, making it difficult to streamline processes and access accurate timely financial data. Improving system connectivity and infrastructure can help address these challenges, with AI offering additional opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity.

The consequences of inefficient financial processes can also extend directly to cash flow, and one area where these challenges become particularly apparent is invoicing. Inaccurate or delayed invoices can slow collections, create additional administrative work and leave businesses waiting longer to receive payments. Automating invoice creation and improving the accuracy of financial data can help address these inefficiencies, with AI offering additional opportunities to streamline more complex processes.

For example, 10 days of DSO represents approximately $1.37 million in receivables for a business with $50 million in annual credit sales.

"High DSO isn't just a result of customers paying late, the delays often start within a company's own financial processes," said Coles. "Invoices go out late or contain errors that lead to disputes, while manual reconciliation and payment matching can leave cash sitting unaccounted for. Much of this is within a company's control. By improving invoice accuracy and automating these processes, finance teams can accelerate collections, gain a clearer picture of their available cash and free up working capital that's already been earned."

As finance leaders look ahead to 2027, the findings highlight differences between organizations that have established the infrastructure and processes needed to improve financial operations and those still working to modernize. These efforts are also helping to reshape the role of the CFO, who is increasingly expected to help shape the technology investments and strategic decisions that drive business growth and long-term competitiveness.

To review the full findings, you can download Signal: The B2B Finance Report here.

About the Research

Signal: The B2B Finance Report is based on a survey of 100 senior finance professionals at small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) across North America, conducted in Q3 2026. Respondents included CFOs, finance directors and other senior finance professionals, with 90% based in the United States and 10% in Canada. Participating companies reported annual revenues ranging from $1 million to $100 million and represented industries including professional and field services, construction, wholesale and distribution, manufacturing, and agriculture.

About Fortis

Fortis is the leader in embedded payments for software providers and ERP systems, processing billions annually through its proprietary technology. The company's mission is to forge holistic commerce experiences that seamlessly integrate within software workflows—transforming payment processing from cost center to strategic advantage. With expertise in software platforms, Fortis moves commerce closer to invisible by strengthening the payments capabilities of software partners, guiding businesses to reach uncharted growth. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Fortis is redefining the $100 trillion B2B payments landscape. Learn more at www.fortispay.com.

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SOURCE Fortis Payment Systems