Zahara's Blog Archive

Guide to invoice processing: An automated invoice processing graphic features charts and two people working on a laptop, highlighting accurate cash flow management.

Automated Invoice Processing

Automated Invoice Processing: Why More Finance Teams Are Choosing Zahara How to Choose the Best Automated Invoice Processing Software When selecting invoice automation software, three critical facto…

Image showcasing an advertisement for "The Ultimate Accounts Payable Starter Checklist," featuring an illustration of documents and a green checkmark, highlighting the efficiency of accounts payable automation.

New Accounts Payable Starter Checklist

Congratulations on your new accounts payable starter role! The first few weeks of a new job are often tricky no matter the industry- we’ve all been there. Between finding your feet, grappling with o…

Graphic titled "The Best Invoice Approval Automation" by Zahara, showcasing a clipboard with gears and text that highlights enhancing invoice approval automation and streamlining accounts payable processes.

The Best Invoice Approval Automation

Time is money, but how many of us actually live by that mantra? If your business hasn’t yet implemented invoice approval automation, you’re losing both time and money every day. In 2025, businesse…

Man in a suit yelling into a landline phone receiver, sitting at a desk. Text on the left reads, "Dealing with Frustrated Suppliers is a Drag." Zahara logo is in the top right corner.

Better Accounts Payable Practices

For over 20 years, I’ve navigated the challenges of being a supplier to larger companies. My first business was a TV and radio production company, complete with recording studios in central London. …

Ad for an advanced automated invoice processing software system showcases a woman at her desk, surrounded by seamless digital invoice displays. Highlighting features and benefits tailored for UK businesses, this is the ultimate solution to streamline your financial workflow.

#1 Best Invoice Processing Software

Invoice processing software streamlines Accounts Payable processes, which include extracting, populating, and managing invoice data. By automating your invoice processing, you can speed up the process…

A woman smiling while reviewing documents, seated at a table. Text on the image highlights the ease of streamlining the accounts payable workflow with automation.

Improve Your Accounts Payable Workflow

Managing accounts payable (AP) is a critical task. Every finance team must approach it with careful attention and efficiency. If this is done right your accounts payable workflow ensures suppliers are…

What is OCR? The image highlights OCR software, detailing its functionality and time-saving benefits. It encourages viewers to learn more while showcasing the Zahara logo in the top right corner and a sample invoice screenshot included for reference.

What is OCR software?

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a technology that converts images of text into machine-readable text. It plays a crucial role in automating data processes such as invoice management and documen…

Illustration depicting AP Automation benefits with text about enhancing productivity and reducing errors, featuring AI elements and the Zahara logo.

The Benefits of AP Automation

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, efficiency and accuracy are more than just buzzwords—they are necessities. AP automation has emerged as a critical solution for businesses looking t…

Purchase-order-automation featured image 2 (1)

Purchase Order Automation: What is it?

There's more that goes into purchase order automation than you might think.  Purchase order automation allows you to easily raise purchase orders in-app and send them to the relevant people for a…

A woman celebrates at her desk with arms raised, sitting near a laptop. Text on image reads: "Streamline your processes with the best accounts payable automation — leverage Zahara's expert insights for professionals.

Explaining Accounts Payable Automation

We’re often asked, ‘What’s the buzz in accounts payable these days?’ There’s one pretty major answer: automation.   It’s no surprise… recent advancements in technology have allowed com…

What is a Goods Received Note Featrued Image july 2024 2

What is a Goods Received Note?

Every company will have a slightly different invoice processing method, especially if they're automating and using different systems. However, there's one thing that every company must do, regardless …

accountex London with Zahara Featured Image (1)

Accountex London 2024

For the third year in a row, we’re exhibiting at Accountex, and we can’t wait to get back to ExCel and bring you all our exciting updates from last year. Accountex 2024 is going to be bigger than…

Easy International Payments in 2024

Easy International Payments in 2024 If you work in finance, you'll know that managing your company’s transactions is a crucial responsibility for every finance team, especially when it comes to han…

Purchase Order Management - What is it An image showing a banner for Purchase Order Administration by Zahara, featuring an invoice interface with "Reject" and "Approve" buttons. The text discusses learning about the procurement system.

Purchase Order Management

Purchase Order Management (POM) plays a crucial role in the efficient operation of businesses, particularly those scaling up and wanting to take control of costs in a more structured way. So, would y…

The best Accounts Payable Processing Your Ultimate Guide Automating Accounts Payable

Automating the Accounts Payable process

The Accounts Payable process (AP processing) refers to the money a business owes its suppliers for goods or services received on credit. It’s recorded as a short-term liability on the balance sheet.…

What is a Payment Run Featured Image July 2024 (1)

What is a Payment Run?

Whether you're new to the world of finance and in training, or you're curious how you can bring your payment methods into the 21st century, we've got all the fundamentals covered.  What is a payment…

Invoice Processing Software

Zahara Speeding Up Invoice Processing

If you're reading this article, you may have heard much about AP automation and wondered if it lives up to the hype. Perhaps you're considering invoice processing software, but feel overwhelmed by the…

What is Accounts Payable Management?

What is Accounts Payable Management?

Accounts payable management refers to the process of managing a company's outstanding debts to third-party vendors for purchases made on credit. This includes various tasks, such as seeking trade cred…

Two pencils, one broken and scribbling, illustrate the need for a "PO System: It's Time for a Finance Revamp in 2024" text in a straightforward, matter-of-fact tone.

Purchase Order Solution:

A classic line we hear at Zahara all too often is “We are too small for POs". We completely agree that an owner-managed business is too small; however, if employees are buying for the business and u…

Yellow caution sign with skull and crossbones labeled "Danger." Text reads: "Are You in a Toxic Relationship" and "Escape the frustration of an inefficient invoice processing system." Don't let an outdated invoice processing system become your next toxic relationship.

Are You in a Toxic Relationship?

It’s a story as old as time. You don’t feel heard. Your loyalty is tested. You feel devalued as a customer. You give more than you’re getting. The price skyrockets while functionality plummets. …

Zahara Approval Workflows FAQs

Zahara Workflows

During setup, and further into your Zahara journey, there are certain queries that pop up most often. Our goal when we made Zahara was to create a system that is infinitely customisable, and though in…

PO Sytem for small businesses Illustration promoting streamlined purchase orders for small businesses, showcasing a large smartphone as people engage with various purchasing elements.

PO System for Small Businesses

Running a small business can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when it comes to managing finances. Many small business owners find themselves juggling their own bookkeeping and financial m…

Promotional image for Zahara Accounts payable automation software. Text highlights a comparison of the best accounts payable software, featuring an image of a smiling person working on a laptop.

Accounts Payable Automation Software

If you’re searching for the best accounts payable automation software to elevate your finance operations, you’re in the right place. The world of AP automation is growing rapidly, offering a weal…

A woman sits on an orange bean bag chair with a laptop, raising her arms in excitement. "Accounts Payable Workflow Guide" and the "Zahara" logo is in the top corner.

Accounts Payable Workflow for Approvals

We all want smooth financial processes (unless you’re someone who thrives on chaos), but when you’re struggling it can be hard to see the best path to take to streamline your accounts payable syst…

Purchase Orders for SMEs

Purchase Orders for SMEs

It’s no secret that running a small business comes with its fair share of challenges, with  finances and purchase order management being a top concern. Many business owners end up managing their ow…

Hand,Man,Doing,Finances,And,Calculate,On,Desk,About,Cost

Man Maths and the Science of Buying

Have you heard about Man Maths? It’s the logical decision making that men (this one in particular) often use to justify a purchase they are planning to make. The second biggest purchase most of us …

See you at Accountex 2023!

2022 was our first year exhibiting at Accountex and we cannot wait for Accountex 2023. The buzz and excitement, the bright colours, all the people we’ll meet. We just can’t wait! 2022 was our firs…

Finance Teams Problems

Finance teams are facing new challenges as businesses evolve. The focus is shifting toward efficiency, spend control, and real-time visibility. Automation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. O…

A man in a hard hat and safety vest stands with arms outstretched. Text reads: "Purchase Requisition vs Purchase Order," sparking curiosity about their differences and how each is approved.

Purchase Requisitions vs Purchase Orders

A purchase requisition (PR) is a request. The request to buy something for the organisation and that request will likely be subject to an approval process.  A purchase order is a formal document sen…

Silhouette of a cow standing on a grassy hill against a purple-tinted sky.

Being a purple cow when job hunting

This advice is aimed at younger people. Perhaps graduates. Those looking to get their first step on the ladder into a career. I write this as someone who runs a business and interviews people regularl…

What’s New

Updates & Maintenance Schedule Regular Maintenance Window Zahara undergoes regular updates and maintenance to ensure optimal performance, security, and reliability. These updates are typically c…

A woman stands at the Zahara booth at ACCOUNTS 2022, ExCeL London. The Accountex booth highlights AP automation solutions with various promotional materials on display, including a laptop, pamphlets, and water bottles.

Zahara visit Accountex 2022

A few weeks ago Zahara exhibited at Accountex 2022 at the ExCel centre London with 250 other global brands and 8,000 accounting and finance professionals. After months of planning, the Zahara team wer…

A group of elderly people from local care homes with their arms raised, smiling and cheering enthusiastically in a brightly lit indoor setting.

Accounts Payable Software for care homes

It has been a turbulent year for care homes, hospices, and other community-based non-profits with many unforeseen challenges. Now that restrictions are lifting care homes are looking to make 2022 a su…

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