AP Pros Face Growing Layoff Concerns and See Automation as a Career Lifeline
AvidXchange (NASDAQ:AVDX) and IOFM's 2025 survey of 588 AP professionals reveals growing concerns about job security, with 45% worried about potential layoffs in 2025, up from 27% in 2024. The study shows that 86% of finance professionals are concerned about the economy, with half expecting a recession within 12 months.
The report highlights automation and AI as career growth drivers, with 74% of respondents saying technology access supports career growth and 69% believing automation would positively impact their current role. Among "extremely satisfied" AP professionals, 59% work in automated environments, compared to just 2% in manual settings.
Key findings show 53% of professionals are taking on stretch assignments and 59% are actively learning new skills to enhance job security. However, only half report having access to growth opportunities, and 61% left over 25% of their PTO unused in 2024.
AvidXchange (NASDAQ:AVDX) e IOFM, in un sondaggio 2025 su 588 professionisti AP, rilevano crescenti preoccupazioni per la sicurezza del posto di lavoro: il 45% teme possibili licenziamenti nel 2025, rispetto al 27% del 2024. Lo studio mostra che l'86% dei professionisti finanziari è preoccupato per l'andamento dell'economia, e metà di loro prevede una recessione entro 12 mesi.
Il rapporto indica che automazione e intelligenza artificiale spingono la crescita professionale: il 74% degli intervistati afferma che l'accesso alla tecnologia favorisce lo sviluppo della carriera e il 69% ritiene che l'automazione avrebbe un impatto positivo sul proprio ruolo attuale. Tra i professionisti AP «estremamente soddisfatti», il 59% lavora in ambienti automatizzati, contro appena il 2% in contesti manuali.
Tra i risultati principali: il 53% sta assumendo incarichi sfidanti e il 59% sta attivamente acquisendo nuove competenze per rafforzare la propria sicurezza occupazionale. Tuttavia, solo la metà dichiara di avere accesso a opportunità di crescita e il 61% ha lasciato inutilizzato oltre il 25% del proprio PTO nel 2024.
AvidXchange (NASDAQ:AVDX) y IOFM, en su encuesta 2025 a 588 profesionales de AP, detectan mayor preocupación por la estabilidad laboral: el 45% teme posibles despidos en 2025, frente al 27% en 2024. El estudio revela que el 86% de los financieros está preocupado por la economía, y la mitad espera una recesión en los próximos 12 meses.
El informe destaca que la automatización y la IA impulsan el crecimiento profesional: el 74% de los encuestados afirma que el acceso a la tecnología apoya su desarrollo de carrera y el 69% considera que la automatización impactaría positivamente su puesto actual. Entre los profesionales de AP «extremadamente satisfechos», el 59% trabaja en entornos automatizados, frente a solo el 2% en entornos manuales.
Hallazgos clave: el 53% asume tareas desafiantes y el 59% está aprendiendo activamente nuevas habilidades para mejorar su seguridad laboral. No obstante, solo la mitad reporta tener acceso a oportunidades de crecimiento y el 61% dejó sin usar más del 25% de su PTO en 2024.
AvidXchange (NASDAQ:AVDX)와 IOFM이 588명의 AP 전문가를 대상으로 실시한 2025년 설문조사에서 고용 불안이 커진 것으로 나타났습니다. 45%가 2025년 해고 가능성을 우려하고 있어 2024년의 27%에서 크게 증가했습니다. 연구에 따르면 재무 전문가의 86%가 경제를 걱정하고 있으며, 절반은 12개월 내 경기 침체를 예상합니다.
보고서는 자동화와 AI가 경력 성장의 촉매라고 강조합니다. 응답자의 74%는 기술 접근이 경력 발전을 지원한다고 응답했고, 69%는 자동화가 현재 직무에 긍정적 영향을 줄 것이라고 믿습니다. ‘매우 만족’한 AP 전문가 중에서는 59%가 자동화된 환경에서 일하고 있는 반면, 수작업 환경은 단지 2%에 불과합니다.
주요 결과로는 53%가 도전 과제를 맡고 있고 59%가 직업 안정성을 높이기 위해 적극적으로 새로운 기술을 배우고 있다는 점입니다. 그러나 성장 기회에 접근할 수 있다고 답한 이는 절반에 불과하며, 61%는 2024년에 휴가(PTO)의 25% 이상을 사용하지 않았습니다.
AvidXchange (NASDAQ:AVDX) et l'IOFM révèlent, dans leur enquête 2025 menée auprès de 588 professionnels des AP, une inquiétude croissante quant à la sécurité de l'emploi : 45% craignent d'éventuelles suppressions d'emplois en 2025, contre 27% en 2024. L'étude montre que 86% des professionnels de la finance sont préoccupés par l'économie, et la moitié s'attend à une récession d'ici 12 mois.
Le rapport souligne que l'automatisation et l'IA stimulent la progression de carrière : 74% des répondants déclarent que l'accès à la technologie favorise leur évolution professionnelle et 69% estiment que l'automatisation aurait un impact positif sur leur poste actuel. Parmi les professionnels AP « extrêmement satisfaits », 59% travaillent dans des environnements automatisés, contre seulement 2% en environnements manuels.
Principaux enseignements : 53% relèvent des missions exigeantes et 59% apprennent activement de nouvelles compétences pour renforcer leur sécurité d'emploi. Cependant, seule la moitié déclare avoir accès à des opportunités de développement et 61% ont laissé inutilisé plus de 25% de leur PTO en 2024.
AvidXchange (NASDAQ:AVDX) und IOFM zeigen in ihrer Befragung 2025 von 588 AP-Fachkräften ein wachsendes Sicherheitsbedenken: 45% fürchten mögliche Entlassungen im Jahr 2025, nach 27% im Jahr 2024. Die Studie ergibt, dass 86% der Finanzfachleute sich um die Wirtschaft sorgen, und die Hälfte erwartet innerhalb von 12 Monaten eine Rezession.
Der Bericht hebt hervor, dass Automatisierung und KI Karrierewachstum fördern: 74% der Befragten geben an, dass der Zugriff auf Technologie ihre Karriereentwicklung unterstützt, und 69% glauben, dass Automatisierung ihre derzeitige Rolle positiv beeinflussen würde. Unter den „äußerst zufriedenen“ AP-Fachkräften arbeiten 59% in automatisierten Umgebungen, verglichen mit nur 2% in manuellen Bereichen.
Wesentliche Ergebnisse: 53% übernehmen herausfordernde Aufgaben und 59% lernen aktiv neue Fähigkeiten, um ihre Arbeitsplatzsicherheit zu stärken. Dennoch berichtet nur die Hälfte über Zugang zu Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten, und 61% ließ 2024 mehr als 25% ihres PTO ungenutzt.
- 74% of AP professionals confirm technology access supports career growth
- 69% believe automation would positively impact their current role
- 59% of extremely satisfied AP professionals work in automated environments
- 59% of professionals are actively learning new skills and technologies
- Automation enables flexible work options, enhancing employee satisfaction
- 45% of AP professionals concerned about layoffs in 2025, up from 27% in 2024
- 86% of finance professionals worried about the economy
- Only 50% have access to growth opportunities in current roles
- 61% left over 25% of PTO unused due to job security concerns
- Only 40% believe they have clear career advancement paths
Insights
AvidXchange's survey shows AP professionals embracing automation amid layoff fears, positioning AVDX well in growing enterprise automation demand.
AvidXchange's latest survey with IOFM reveals a significant shift in the accounts payable landscape that signals strengthening market conditions for the company's core offerings. The 45% of AP professionals concerned about layoffs (up from 27% in 2024) represents a dramatic 67% year-over-year increase in job insecurity. This workforce anxiety is creating organic demand for automation solutions as professionals seek to enhance their value.
The survey highlights a compelling business case for AvidXchange's solutions through several key metrics. Most notably, 69% of respondents believe automation would immediately improve their roles, while 72% see long-term career benefits. The direct correlation between automation and job satisfaction is particularly telling – 59% of "extremely satisfied" AP professionals work in highly automated environments, compared to just 2% in manual settings.
From a market positioning perspective, AvidXchange appears well-aligned with evolving customer priorities. The top pain points – manual invoice approvals (46%), data entry (45%), and exception handling (39%) – directly correspond to functions AvidXchange's solutions automate. The company's AI capabilities also address growing interest, with 58% of professionals seeing immediate benefits from AI implementation.
The broader economic context reinforces the company's value proposition. With 86% of finance professionals worried about the economy and nearly half expecting a recession within a year, cost-efficiency solutions like AP automation become increasingly attractive. Companies facing economic uncertainty typically prioritize technologies that can maintain operations with leaner teams – precisely what AvidXchange offers.
While this survey serves partly as marketing material, the substantial sample size (588 professionals) and year-over-year comparative data provide credible insights into market dynamics that suggest strengthening tailwinds for AvidXchange's business model.
AvidXchange and IOFM release 2025 report on the evolving AP workforce
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AvidXchange, a leading provider in accounts payable (AP) automation software and payment solutions for mid-market businesses and their suppliers, in partnership with the Institute of Finance and Management (IOFM), surveyed 588 AP professionals across industries to explore their top challenges and how automation and AI are helping them navigate uncertainty and plan for the future.
Rising Uncertainty Fuels Skill Building and Career Growth
Amid growing concerns about job security, nearly half (
53% are taking on stretch assignments to boost their job security, up significantly from34% last year.59% are actively learning new skills and technologies, including automation and AI.
Yet despite these efforts, only half of AP professionals say they have access to growth or skills development opportunities in their current roles, and just
This heightened sense of job insecurity also affects how they take time off. In 2024,
These workforce concerns reflect broader market pressures. AvidXchange’s 2025 Economic Sentiment Survey found that
“Economic uncertainty is reshaping finance roles, and AP professionals are responding by stepping up. They’re taking on more responsibility, investing in new skills, and using automation to secure their careers and add more strategic value to their companies,” said Dan Drees, President of AvidXchange.
Automation and AI as Career Growth Engines
The report found strong optimism about the role automation can play in improving job performance and long-term career prospects:
74% say access to tools and technology supports their career growth.69% believe automation would have an immediate positive impact on their current role.72% believe automation would positively influence their long-term career trajectory.
AI is also gaining traction as a way to enhance careers:
58% believe AI would have an immediate positive impact on their role.57% believe AI would have a long-term positive impact on their career.
By reducing repetitive, manual tasks, automation is freeing AP teams to focus on strategic, higher-value work that contributes to organizational success.
Automation Supports Satisfaction and Retention
Automation is strongly linked to job satisfaction. Of the AP professionals who said they are "extremely satisfied" in their role,
Manual processes remain a top source of frustration for AP professionals, with the top three tasks AP professionals are eager to eliminate being:
- Manual invoice approvals (
46% ) - Manual data entry (
45% ) - Exception handling (
39% )
Flexible work options are also central to retention. Forty percent of AP professionals say flexible hours are essential, and automation is a critical enabler of that flexibility—allowing teams to work from anywhere without being tied to paper-based processes. In an uncertain economy, that flexibility is not just a perk, it’s a necessity.
Automation: From Efficiency to Workforce Stability
AP automation is more than just a process improvement—it’s a resilience strategy. As professionals face economic uncertainty, job insecurity, and pressure to do more with less, modern tools like automation and AI are becoming essential to maintaining both productivity and morale.
Organizations that embrace these technologies not only increase efficiency—they also cultivate a more empowered, future-ready workforce.
One AvidXchange customer illustrates the difference automation can make. "Since automating, we’ve significantly reduced the need for our AP staff to perform manual data entry, allowing the team to focus on higher-value tasks and enabling growth within the accounts payable function,” said AvidXchange customer, Tairie Santana Mendez, Property Accounting Specialist at Founders 3 Management Company.
To explore the full findings and learn how AP automation can help companies improve employee satisfaction, download the whitepaper: 2025 Accounts Payable Career Satisfaction Report.
Survey Methodology
IOFM conducted a survey, in partnership with AvidXchange, comprising of 588 accounts payable professionals. Survey respondents worked in organizations with annual revenue ranging from less than
About AvidXchange®
AvidXchange (Nasdaq: AVDX) is a leading provider in accounts payable (AP) automation, offering intelligent AP software and payment solutions specifically designed for middle market businesses and their suppliers. With 25 years of industry experience, AvidXchange modernizes the way businesses manage their expenses and payments by offering AI-enhanced software coupled with support from experts. Empowering over 8,500 growth driven businesses, AvidXchange increases efficiency, control, and visibility in financial operations and has securely processed payments to more than 1.3 million suppliers through its proprietary payment network over the past five years. For more information, visit avidxchange.com.
About the Institute of Finance and Management
Accounting and finance professions have each undergone nothing short of a complete transformation since the Institute of Finance and Management (IOFM) was founded in 1982. Since then, our mission has been, and continues to be, to align the resources, events, certifications, and networking opportunities we offer with what companies need from the accounting and finance functions to deliver market leadership. IOFM empowers accounting and finance professionals to maximize the strategic value they offer their employers. Our enduring commitment to serving the accounting and finance professions is unmatched. IOFM has certified over 25,000 accounting and finance professionals and serves several thousand conference and webinar attendees each year. IOFM is proud to be recognized as the leading organization in providing training, education and certification programs specifically for professionals in accounts payable, procure-to-pay, accounts receivable and order-to-cash, as well as key tax and compliance resources for global and shared services professionals, controllers, and their finance and administration (F&A) teams. Learn more at IOFM.com.
Media Contact:
Alexis Riddick
Public Relations Manager
AvidXchange
pr@avidxchange.com
FAQ
What percentage of AP professionals are concerned about layoffs in 2025 according to AvidXchange's survey?
How many AP professionals in the AVDX study are actively pursuing new skills and technologies?
What percentage of AP professionals in automated environments report high job satisfaction?
What are the top manual tasks AP professionals want to eliminate according to the AvidXchange survey?
How many finance professionals expect a recession according to AvidXchange's 2025 Economic Sentiment Survey?
