Methods and systems for managing accounts payable

A method for managing accounts payable for a business using a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

• receiving at the server system accounts payable (AP) information for the business from the client system, AP information includes at least one of invoices and purchase orders relating to the business;
• storing the AP information received at the server system in the centralized database;
• authorizing a user to access the AP information based on a profile of the user;
• updating the centralized database periodically with newly received AP information to maintain the AP information;
• processing the AP information stored in the centralized database including enabling a user to submit from the client system to the server system at least one invoice for processing and payment;
• utilizing a payment accelerator module to facilitate expedited payment of invoices satisfying a payment accelerator criteria;
• providing a payment accelerator notification page displayed on the client system for prompting a user to register at least one of a supplier and a user to receive notification based on a frequency selected of when at least one invoice satisfying the payment accelerator criteria is received at the server system;
• and
• providing a payment notification page displayed on the client system for notifying at least one of a user and a supplier that a payment has been made relating to an invoice satisfying a payment criteria.

A network based system for managing accounts payable for a business, said system comprising:

• a client system comprising a browser;
• a centralized database for storing information;
• and
• a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said database, said server system further configured to:
• receive accounts payable (AP) information for the business from said client system, wherein AP information includes at least one of invoices and purchase orders relating to the business;
• store the AP information in the centralized database;
• authorize a user to access the AP information based on a profile of the user;
• update the centralized database periodically with newly received AP information to maintain the AP information;
• process the AP information stored in the centralized database;
• and
• access a payment accelerator module to facilitate expedited payment of invoices satisfying a payment accelerator criteria.

A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for managing accounts payable for a business, said program comprising a code segment that receives accounts payable (AP) information for the business and then:

• maintains a database by adding, deleting and updating AP information wherein AP information includes at least one of invoices and purchase orders relating to the business;
• provides users with access to AP information;
• authorizes users to access AP information based on a profile of the user;
• processes AP information stored in the database;
• and
• utilizes a payment accelerator module to facilitate expedited payment of invoices satisfying a payment accelerator criteria.