Accounts receivable automation is one of the biggest opportunities in finance today. AR clerks spend much of their time chasing customers for payments, sending invoice reminders, and answering billing questions. These tasks are conversational in nature — emails and calls — and therefore still done manually by humans. While robotic process automation (RPA) has streamlined other finance processes, accounts receivable is still largely manual.
AI agents now make it possible to automate accounts receivable end to end. Unlike rule-based dunning software that only sends reminders, AI-powered collections tools can manage two-way conversations with customers, handle both inbound finance inbox queries and outbound collections workflows, and escalate only when human expertise is needed. The result is faster collections, lower DSO, and improved working capital.
Automating the inbound finance inbox with AI
For companies with thousands of customers, the finance inbox is a daily flood of requests: invoice copies, payment confirmations, PO updates, and billing changes. Traditionally, AR teams triage these manually, adding headcount as volumes rise.
AI agents can now automate this workflow by:
Responding automatically to common invoice queries.
Pulling data directly from ERP systems.
Sending invoice copies and payment confirmations in seconds.
Flagging disputes or sensitive cases for human review.
Suggesting draft replies for approval.
By automating inbound accounts receivable workflows, AI reduces manual workload while giving customers faster, more accurate responses.
AI in outbound collections and dunning workflows
Outbound accounts receivable work, including dunning and debt collection, is equally repetitive. Standard dunning emails are easily ignored because they feel automated, while human collectors are effective but costly and hard to scale.
AI agents bring intelligence and context to collections automation:
Chasing overdue payments in open threads so every reminder feels like part of a human-led conversation.
Personalising dunning workflows at scale, adjusting tone and timing to customer payment behavior.
Automating contextual dunning outreach that references invoice details and previous interactions.
Capturing promise-to-pay dates and following up after expiry.
Identifying unresponsive contacts and suggesting alternative data.
Segmenting collection workflows by customer size, risk level, or industry.
Automating escalatory measures when invoices remain unpaid.
This is not just automation for its own sake. It is AI-powered dunning: every message is contextual, every follow-up builds on the last, and every collection workflow feels human.
The future role of AR clerks with AI
AI does not replace accounts receivable clerks, but it transforms their role. Instead of spending their days sending reminders and managing inboxes, AR teams will increasingly manage a team of AI agents that do the heavy lifting.
Clerks will handle exceptions, resolve disputes, and manage escalations while training agents to handle new scenarios. The job moves from repetitive manual work to exception management and strategy. Humans will guide the process while AI executes most of the collection workflow autonomously.
Conclusion
AI accounts receivable automation is reshaping the way finance teams work. By automating both inbound inbox queries and outbound dunning workflows, AI agents reduce DSO, improve collections, and free finance teams to focus on higher-value work.
The future of AR is not about replacing clerks, but about empowering them to manage intelligent agents that handle the repetitive tasks. Companies that embrace AI in accounts receivable collections will accelerate cash flow, reduce bad debt, and build stronger customer experiences.