In Search Of 20022

The Role of ISO 20022 in Accounts Payable

ISO 20022 is a global standard for electronic data interchange between financial institutions. It plays an increasingly important role in Accounts Payable by enabling standardized payment instructions, richer remittance data, and improved operational efficiency.

What Is ISO 20022?

Developed by the International Organization for Standardization, ISO 20022 is an XML-based messaging standard for financial services such as payments, cash management, and electronic statements. Its structured, data-rich format is gradually replacing many legacy international payment and cash management formats worldwide.

• XML-based messaging standard
• Used across payments, securities, trade finance, and cards
• Mandatory or widely adopted in many global financial systems, including SWIFT

🎥 Understanding ISO 20022

How ISO 20022 Benefits Accounts Payable

• Standardized Payment Instructions: Messages like pain.001 streamline both domestic and international payments with consistent formatting.
• Enhanced Remittance Data: Vendors receive richer, structured data that allows faster and more accurate reconciliation of incoming payments.
• Cross-Border Compatibility: One global format reduces complexity when dealing with international suppliers and banks.
• Automation & Straight-Through Processing (STP): Minimizes manual intervention and reduces errors in the payment lifecycle.
• Fraud Prevention & Compliance: Better structured data improves AML screening, sanctions checking, and overall payment security.

ISO 20022: Empowering the Future of Payments

by Patrick Riesen (Kindle Edition)

📘 View on Amazon

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the AP Professionals community at no additional cost to you.

Common ISO 20022 Message Types for AP

Message Type	Use Case
pain.001	Payment initiation
pain.002	Payment status report
camt.053	Bank statement
camt.054	Credit/debit notification
remt.001	Remittance advice (still developing)

Getting Started with ISO 20022 in AP

1. Talk to your bank about their ISO 20022 file support and migration timeline.
2. Check whether your ERP system (SAP, Oracle, Workday, etc.) can generate and consume ISO 20022 messages.
3. Map your current AP payment and reconciliation workflows to identify improvement opportunities.
4. Run end-to-end tests with key banks and vendors before going live.

The future of Accounts Payable is digital, structured, and global. ISO 20022 sits at the center of that transformation.

Recommended Tools for Accounts Payable Professionals

Best Tools for AP Pros

Optimize your workspace. Protect your health. Boost your accuracy.

Disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, the Accounts Payable Professionals Group may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

We are no longer using Amazon Associate links on this page. The product links below point to Walmart pages or Walmart product searches where the same item, or the closest practical match, may be available.

We only recommend products based on their relevance to the Accounts Payable community. Product availability, pricing, and seller details may change.

🪑 Ergonomic Office Furniture

1. Herman Miller Aeron

Why it stands out: Iconic ergonomic design with three size options, strong adjustability, and a breathable mesh back.

Best for: AP professionals who want premium, long-term comfort for desk-heavy work.

View at Walmart

2. Standing Desk Options at Walmart

Why it stands out: A sit-stand desk can help AP professionals change positions throughout the day and reduce the strain that comes from long invoice, reconciliation, and reporting sessions.

Best for: Versatile sit-stand workflows and home office setups.

Editor’s note: The original article linked to the Uplift V2 Standing Desk. A clean same-product Walmart listing was not found, so this now links to Walmart’s standing desk section.

View at Walmart

⌨️ Keyboards & Accessories

3. Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Keyboard

Why it stands out: Split curved layout and cushioned palm rest may help reduce wrist strain during heavy data entry.

Best for: Invoice processors, AP analysts, and spreadsheet-heavy workflows.

View at Walmart

4. Logitech MX Vertical Mouse

Why it stands out: Natural handshake grip helps reduce muscle strain, while adjustable DPI supports precise spreadsheet navigation.

Best for: AP professionals who spend long hours clicking through invoices, reports, and reconciliations.

View at Walmart

5. 3M Gel Wrist Rest

Why it stands out: Memory-gel padding supports more neutral wrist positioning during long data entry sessions.

Best for: AP professionals who process invoices, key voucher details, or work in spreadsheets for extended periods.

View at Walmart

6. Monitor Stand Riser

Why it stands out: Raises your monitor to a more comfortable viewing height, which may help reduce neck strain during invoice review, spreadsheet work, and reconciliation sessions.

Best for: AP professionals who work with multiple screens, long spreadsheets, or a crowded desk.

View at Walmart

7. LED Desk Lamp

Why it stands out: Adjustable desk lighting can help reduce eye strain when reviewing invoices, vendor statements, check runs, and printed backup documentation.

Best for: Home offices, shared workspaces, and AP professionals who still review paper documents.

View at Walmart

🛠️ Time-Saving Tools for AP Workflows

8. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX1600

Why it stands out: Wi-Fi scanning, duplex support, and fast document handling can help AP teams move paper invoices and receipts into digital workflows.

Best for: AP teams that still handle paper invoices, mailed backup, receipts, or vendor files.

View at Walmart

9. DYMO LabelWriter 450 Turbo

Why it stands out: Prints labels for folders, vendor files, and mailing checks without ink.

Best for: AP teams that still organize physical documentation, check runs, or vendor folders.

The Strangest Things People Have Submitted on Expense Reports

The Strangest Things People Have Submitted on Expense Reports

Even seasoned AP professionals can’t help but shake their heads when strange items show up on expense reports. Below are a few stories—including real examples—from both our own desks and broader industry reports.

Head-Scratching Reimbursements We’ve Seen

1. Ripped Pants Emergency 
   An employee submitted a $200 reimbursement for pants ripped while getting out of a NYC taxi—right before a big client meeting. That’s one pricey wardrobe malfunction!

2. Two Seats, One Traveler
   Another employee booked two airline seats for the same flight—because they needed the extra space. In an awkward conversation, the airline confirmed it was required for comfort, and the extra ticket was indeed billed.

Top 10 Most Unusual Expenses (via AccountingToday)

Based on Oversight Systems data, here are some of the most outrageous expense claims reported:

• A sports bra and yoga class submitted as a “client gift”
• $99,000 worth of discounted Lenovo laptops — purchased to resell for profit
• Eyelash extensions billed as a business necessity
• Personal catering, car rentals, and bulk office supplies — all under one employee
• A “survivalist” stocking up on doomsday prep books

Even More Wild Submissions from CFOs:

According to a survey of finance leaders, other shocking expense claims included:

• Flat-screen TVs, rental homes, luxury vacations, and cosmetic surgery
• Doggie day spas, toilet paper, and even dance classes
• And perhaps the boldest: a welder... and someone else’s salary

What Have You Seen? AP pros, your stories are the best:

• What’s the most outrageous thing you've processed?
• Did you ever approve something that made you question your sanity?
• Or did a bizarre claim slip through the cracks before you caught it?

Share your stories in the comments—anonymously preferably—and let’s have a good laugh (or cringe) together.

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Robert Ruhno Director Accounts Payable Professionals Group

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Let's look at 1099 Filing Websites

Which 1099 Filing Websites Show When Your Forms Were Accepted by the IRS and the States?

If you're new to accounting or just getting started in a finance role, you might be surprised at how big of a deal it is to send out 1099 forms each year. These forms are how businesses report payments made to contractors or vendors—not employees—to the IRS and state tax agencies.

But here’s the part that gets stressful: once you hit “submit” on those forms, how do you know the IRS or your state actually accepted them?

“Can anyone recommend a good website for 1099 filing like eFile4Biz but would have reporting to show date/time of state & federal acceptance?” – Beck N.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through four websites that not only help you file 1099s online, but also let you track exactly when your filings are accepted. That’s super helpful if you ever need to prove you submitted them on time.

Why Does It Matter When the Forms Are Accepted?

If you’re in accounting, just sending the 1099s isn’t enough. You need to make sure the forms were:

• Actually received by the IRS and state agencies
• Accepted without errors or rejections
• Delivered to the people you paid (called recipients)

Some sites only confirm that you submitted the form. But the sites below go a step further by telling you when the IRS and states accepted it—which is key if there’s ever a compliance audit.

Four 1099 Filing Sites That Give You Timestamped Acceptance

✅ Tax1099

Website: tax1099.com

• Shows the exact time your form is accepted by the IRS or the state
• Matches Taxpayer ID Numbers (TIN) to avoid errors
• Works with tools like QuickBooks and Xero

What people are saying:

• “I used Tax1099 for the first time last year… There is a bit of a learning curve but I got the job done.” (Reddit)
• “Tax1099 has messed up too many things for me to trust them anymore…” (Reddit)
• “It was easy to use and great customer service.” (Capterra)

✅ Track1099 (by Avalara)

Website: track1099.com

• Shows the time your 1099 was accepted by the IRS and states
• Tracks whether the contractor received the form by email
• Collects W-9 forms securely

What users say:

• “The easy format and helpful suggestions make it easy to file 1099s…” (G2)
• “Easy setup, reasonable cost, synced quickly with Xero…” (Xero App Store)

✅ 1099 Pro

Website: 1099pro.com

• Real-time acceptance status
• Bulk uploads and corrections
• Designed for large-scale companies

What users say:

• “Straightforward product that expedites 1099 filings…” (Capterra)
• “Affordable and quick… UI could use some modernization.”

✅ Yearli by Greatland

Website: yearli.com

• Tracks state and federal form status
• Prints and mails 1099s for you
• Easy templates for entering data

What About eFile4Biz?

Beck’s original question mentioned eFile4Biz. It’s a decent tool for basic filing, but it doesn’t give you the same level of detail about when your forms are accepted. If you need that level of reporting, one of the four options above would be a better fit.

Summary: What Real People Think

Tool	What Users Like	What They Don’t Like
Tax1099	Great support, IRS/state timestamping	Buggy near deadlines, unclear status for some users
Track1099	Simple to use, good support, Xero integration	Some cost concerns
1099 Pro	High-volume friendly, very customizable	Outdated interface
Yearli	Easy to learn, good for small businesses	Less suited for big teams

Final Thoughts

If you're just getting into accounting, this might feel like a lot. But the main thing to remember is this:

Not all 1099 websites are created equal. If you want to stay compliant and sleep better during audit season, pick one that tells you exactly when the IRS and your state accepted each form.

Try out a free demo if you can—and always download your acceptance records!

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Robert Ruhno Director Accounts Payable Professionals Group

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Typing Toward Trouble? AP & Carpal Tunnel

Is Your Desk Job Hurting You? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Accounts Payable

Many years ago, at the start of my career in Accounts Payable, I remember having an ache in my hands and wrists that I now recognize may have been early signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Back then, everything was paper-based. There was no automation, no scanning — just stacks and stacks of invoices. I was typing in the details for up to 200 invoices a day. The repetitive motion of entering invoice numbers, dates, amounts, and vendor codes, all while flipping through paper and filing documents, took a physical toll. Somehow I was lucky and it never developed into anything serious or permanent.

Recently, I spoke with a friend who works in AP and she mentioned feeling numbness and tingling in her fingers. She’s still dealing with loads of mail, paper statements, and manual filing. It hit me that, even with all the technology we now have, many AP professionals are still exposed to the same repetitive stress risks I experienced early on.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs through the wrist. This pressure can come from repetitive hand and wrist movements, often leading to:

• Tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Wrist pain, especially at night
• A weakened grip or tendency to drop objects

It’s incredibly common among office workers — and even more so for people in roles like ours that involve repetitive tasks all day.

Why AP Professionals Are Especially At Risk

While we often focus on accuracy, compliance, and deadlines, we don’t always pay attention to the physical demands of the job. Think about a typical AP day:

• Opening dozens of envelopes
• Sorting and filing statements
• Flipping through long vendor histories or invoice packets
• Keying in payment data for hours on end

Even small, repeated movements can cause strain over time — especially if your workstation isn’t ergonomically set up.

Tips to Reduce Risk and Protect Your Hands

• Take short breaks every hour — Just 2–3 minutes to stretch your fingers, shake out your wrists, or stand up can go a long way.
• Use keyboard shortcuts and templates to reduce keystrokes where possible.
• Invest in ergonomic tools — A supportive mouse, keyboard wrist rest, and a proper chair can make a big difference.
• Digitize what you can — Tools like OCR, automated workflows, and vendor portals can reduce the need for manual data entry.
• Stretch regularly — Simple hand and wrist stretches during lunch or at your desk can help keep nerves and muscles healthy.

What About Legal Rights and Workers’ Comp?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a recognized repetitive strain injury (RSI) and is often covered by workers’ compensation laws.

You Can File for Workers’ Compensation

If your job duties significantly contribute to CTS, you may be entitled to:

• Medical treatment
• Wage replacement if you're unable to work
• Possible compensation for permanent limitations

You don’t have to prove employer negligence — just that your job was a factor. But report symptoms early and follow your company's procedures.

Suing Your Employer? Rarely a Good Idea

In most states, workers’ comp is your only remedy. Trying to sue your employer may:

• Disqualify you from workers’ comp
• Drag you into a lengthy and expensive legal process
• Require substantial proof that your employer was intentionally negligent

Smart Next Steps

• Document symptoms and report them to HR
• Request an ergonomic evaluation or light-duty adjustment
• See a doctor and follow medical guidance
• Consult a workers' comp attorney if your claim is denied or mishandled

Protecting your health and your rights doesn’t require a legal battle — but it does require action.

Final Thoughts

AP professionals are some of the hardest-working, detail-oriented people I know. We often pride ourselves on pushing through discomfort to get the job done. But pain isn't a badge of honor — it's a warning.

Take care of your hands — they’re one of your most important tools. And don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself, both physically and professionally.

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Robert Ruhno

Director
Accounts Payable Professionals Group