When Vendors Keep Calling:

Handling Payment Pressure in Accounts Payable

Anyone who has worked in Accounts Payable knows the feeling of getting call after call from vendors asking when they are going to be paid. It can be stressful, especially when you know that payments are scheduled but not yet released, and you may not even have the authority to release them yourself.

The first thing to remember is that these calls are not always personal. Most vendor representatives in Accounts Receivable are required to make regular follow-up calls as part of their process. They have checklists and call logs to complete, and their job performance often depends on showing that they have made contact. So even if they do not get a firm payment date, logging the call still counts as progress on their end.

From the AP side, it helps to have clear internal communication. If payments are being delayed due to cash flow decisions, that decision should not sit solely on the shoulders of the AP team. Once vendor inquiries become frequent or escalate in tone, it is time to involve the decision makers, such as the CFO, controller, or accounting manager.

AP’s role is to ensure invoices are received, processed, and ready for payment. But if funds are being strategically held, the responsibility to explain or manage vendor expectations should be shared by leadership. This not only relieves pressure on AP but also ensures consistency in messaging.

At the end of the day, vendor relationships are built on communication and trust. A professional, empathetic response, supported by management, goes a long way toward maintaining both.

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