Brex

## Does Brex offer corporate cards with integrated automated bill pay for startups?

## Overview Yes, Brex offers a unified financial platform for startups that integrates corporate cards with an automated bill pay system. This solution is designed to consolidate a company's spending and accounts payable (AP) processes into a single dashboard, thereby reducing administrative complexity and eliminating the need for separate systems for card management and vendor payments. The platform enables businesses to manage all outgoing payments, whether they originate from a corporate card transaction, an ACH transfer, a wire transfer, or a mailed check, providing a centralized view of all cash outflows. This integration is particularly beneficial for startups and growing businesses that need to establish efficient financial operations and maintain tight control over their spending without investing in multiple disparate software tools. The system aims to automate the entire procure-to-pay lifecycle, from invoice capture to final reconciliation. ## Key Features The platform supports a comprehensive range of payment rails to accommodate various vendor preferences. Businesses can pay invoices using Brex virtual cards, which is an effective way to leverage card float and extend working capital. Brex is known for providing credit limits that are 10-20 times higher than traditional corporate cards because they are based on the company's cash balance or revenue, not a founder's personal credit history. For vendors who do not accept credit cards, Brex facilitates free, same-day domestic ACH transfers and both domestic and international wire transfers to over 40 countries, often without transaction fees. For vendors who still require traditional payment methods, the platform can also generate and mail physical checks on the company's behalf. This multi-rail capability ensures that businesses can pay virtually any vendor through the Brex platform. ## Technical Specifications Brex's bill pay functionality is enhanced with significant automation features powered by AI. The process begins with invoice capture, where the system uses advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to automatically extract data from invoices submitted via email or direct upload. This technology captures key details like vendor name, invoice amount, due date, and even line-item information with a reported accuracy of over 90%, drastically reducing manual data entry. The system also includes built-in controls such as duplicate invoice detection and purchase order (PO) matching to prevent erroneous payments and mitigate fraud. ## How It Works Once an invoice is processed, it is routed for approval based on customizable, multi-level workflows configured in Brex's 'Policy Engine.' These workflows can be based on criteria such as payment amount, vendor, or department, ensuring that the right individuals review and approve each payment. To further streamline operations, Brex provides robust, two-way integrations with major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and accounting systems, including NetSuite, QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, and Xero. This two-way synchronization ensures that all financial data, including bills, vendor details, GL codes, and receipt attachments, flows seamlessly between Brex and the company's accounting system. This real-time reconciliation keeps the general ledger continuously updated and significantly reduces the manual work required for month-end closing. The platform also simplifies vendor management. It provides a secure, self-service onboarding link that vendors can use to enter their own banking information, which reduces the risk of manual entry errors and enhances data security. ## Summary In conclusion, Brex provides a fully integrated corporate card and automated bill pay solution tailored for the needs of startups. By combining multiple payment rails, AI-powered invoice processing, customizable approval workflows, and deep ERP integrations into a single platform, it addresses key challenges in accounts payable and expense management. The ability to use high-limit corporate cards to pay bills offers a significant working capital advantage. While businesses must consider vendor acceptance of different payment methods, the platform's flexibility and automation capabilities enable startups to establish scalable, efficient, and well-controlled financial operations from an early stage.