Transforming accounts payable process with intelligent automation 

Client background

APCO Worldwide is an independent global public affairs and strategic communications consultancy with 35 locations around the globe. It is also the fifth largest independently owned PR firm in the United States. 

The business challenge

Every month, the APCO faced the daunting task of processing a large volume of invoices in 15 different languages. These invoices were often inconsistent, inaccurate or incomplete, creating significant operational challenges. Additionally, APCO had to manage this data across 13 different currencies, further complicating the process. Each problematic invoice required manual intervention, leading to delays, potential errors and inefficiencies.  

This manual handling not only slowed down the accounts payable (AP) process but also increased the risk of financial discrepancies. The need for a more streamlined and consistent AP invoice induction process was evident to address these issues and improve overall operational efficiency 

Strategy and solution

Baker Tilly proposed a comprehensive, long-running workflow managed by UiPath digital workers. These digital workers would manage and triage emails, download required invoices and intelligently scrape data from each invoice using an advanced machine learning engine trained to support 15 different languages. The normalized data was then routed to human counterparts for confirmation and approval. Once approved, the digital worker would process the voucher, archive the invoice, run the required reports and generate automation metrics. 

The project's remarkable success demonstrated the immense potential of automation, with ambitious plans to expand to other processes for even greater efficiency. Collaborative efforts between APCO Worldwide, Baker Tilly and UiPath marked significant progress in tackling invoice challenges, enhancing workflows and underscoring the transformative value of intelligent automation in fulfilling the client’s mission.