Accounts Payable:
The Quiet Powerhouse of Private Equity Value Creation

One of the most undervalued levers of performance and scalability

In private equity-backed and high-growth companies, finance strategy often centers on revenue growth, working capital management, and operational KPIs. Yet one of the most undervalued levers of performance and scalability sits inside finance operations: Accounts Payable (AP).

Our new research among US finance leaders shows that while awareness of AP’s importance is high, many organizations still struggle with manual processes, limited visibility, and growing operational pressure, creating a significant opportunity for value creation.

AP - The Quiet Powerhouse explores:

• Why Accounts Payable is an overlooked driver of performance, cash flow, and scalability in PE-backed and high-growth companies

• What finance leaders are experiencing today, including manual processes, limited visibility, and rising operational pressure

• How CFOs and PE teams are turning AP from a cost center into a repeatable value creation engine

• The financial and operational gains from modernizing AP, including working capital improvements and stronger controls

• Practical steps to assess your current AP maturity and identify opportunities for impact quickly

Kefron AP recently conducted a survey exploring key aspects of accounts payable (AP) operations, focusing on process maturity, the level of automation, operational challenges, risks and inefficiencies, and priorities for future AP transformation. 

The insights gathered provide a comprehensive view of the current state of AP and the opportunities for improving efficiency and effectiveness across finance functions.

Sample size: 1,201 professionals
Fieldwork period: 21 November 2025 - 19 January 2026
Audience: CFOs, Heads of Finance, Finance Directors, Finance Managers