What Is a Payment Run?
A scheduled batch process where approved invoices are grouped and payments are issued to vendors.
Definition
A payment run is the periodic batch processing of approved invoices into actual payments. Finance teams typically execute payment runs on a set schedule (weekly, biweekly, or monthly). The run selects approved invoices, groups them by vendor or payment method, and generates checks, ACH transfers, or wire payments.
Why It Matters
Payment run timing and frequency directly impact cash flow, vendor relationships, early-payment discount capture, and fraud risk. Too infrequent and you miss terms or delay vendors; too frequent and you weaken cash control and create unnecessary work for AP and treasury.
Examples
Weekly payment run
Every Friday, all approved invoices are batched. Checks are printed for small vendors; ACH payments are issued for others.
Expedited payment
A critical vendor invoice is added to an off-cycle payment run to maintain supply chain continuity.
Controlled payment release
Invoices approved by department owners are grouped by due date and payment method, then released only after a finance approver confirms exceptions, bank balances, and discount opportunities.
How Nexus AP Helps
Nexus AP optimizes payment runs by prioritizing discount-eligible invoices, grouping by payment method, surfacing invoices approaching due dates, and preserving a complete audit trail from approval through payment release.
Start Free TrialFrequently Asked Questions
How often should you run payments?
Most companies run weekly. High-volume operations may run daily. The right frequency balances cash management with vendor satisfaction and discount capture.
What payment methods are used in a payment run?
Common methods include ACH/EFT, checks, wire transfers, virtual cards, and increasingly real-time payments. ACH is most common for domestic B2B.
What controls should exist before a payment run is released?
Best practice is to verify invoices are fully approved, confirm no unresolved duplicate or matching exceptions remain, separate invoice approval from payment execution, review discount and due-date prioritization, and retain a timestamped audit trail of the final payment release decision.
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