ATL240
Accounting Technology Lab – Episode ATL240
Guest: Nick Chandly, Founder & CEO, Forwardly
Hosts: Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
Runtime: 25:08 Podcast: Accounting Technology Lab (CPA Practice Advisor)
Episode Summary
In this episode of Accounting Technology Lab, hosts Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley welcome Nick Chandly, Founder and CEO of Forwardly, to discuss the evolution of accounts receivable and accounts payable automation for U.S. businesses. Chandly explains how Forwardly was architected from day one around AI, APIs, and automation to solve persistent cash flow challenges, payment delays, and fraud risks. The conversation explores AI-driven invoice capture, automated approvals, real-time payments through FedNow, vendor management, and fraud prevention. Chandly emphasizes how eliminating manual bill pay processes allows accounting professionals to shift their focus toward higher-value advisory services and strategic client support.
Notable Quotes
Nick Chandly (03:38): “We were founded almost at the same time AI emerged, so our architecture is very much focused on AI, APIs, and automation.”
Nick Chandly (06:14): “We’re not just saving money on payments — we’re eliminating delays, bad debts, and wasted time.”
Nick Chandly (09:27): “AI isn’t just advising anymore. On our platform, it’s actually doing the work for you.”
Nick Chandly (11:52): “Accounts payable is becoming like a self-driving car — you set the rules once, and it runs automatically.”
Nick Chandly (14:18): “Bill payment hasn’t changed in 20 or 30 years. We’re changing that by connecting accounting systems directly.”
Nick Chandly (24:18): “AI will never replace accountants, but it will replace repetitive manual work.”
Social Media Promotion Ideas
Cash flow problems don’t come from lack of revenue — they come from broken payment processes. #ATL240 Forwardly was built AI-first, not retrofitted later. What if invoices coded, approved, and paid themselves? Accounts payable is moving toward “self-driving” workflows. AI isn’t replacing accountants — it’s replacing busywork. Real-time payments via FedNow are changing last-minute cash management. Why pay more for bill pay than you have to? Fraud prevention starts with eliminating email-based invoices. Forwardly reads invoices line-by-line — not just totals. Automated approvals don’t mean loss of control. Vendor management is a hidden time drain — until it’s automated. Checks are expensive, slow, and risky. Digital payments win. Client Accounting Services need modern payment infrastructure. AI can approve routine invoices with more consistency than humans. Payment delays are optional — technology just has to be designed right. U.S.-only payments today, global roadmap tomorrow. Forwardly connects accounting systems instead of siloing data. Advisory work grows when transactional work disappears. AI-powered AP reduces fraud before it happens. The future of accounting payments is already here.
Products, Services, and Companies Mentioned
| Name | Type | X (Twitter) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forwardly | Payments Platform (AR/AP) | https://x.com/forwardlypay | https://www.facebook.com/forwardlypay | https://www.linkedin.com/company/forwardly | https://www.instagram.com/forwardlypay |
| QuickBooks Online | Accounting Software | https://x.com/quickbooks | https://www.facebook.com/QuickBooks | https://www.linkedin.com/company/intuit | https://www.instagram.com/quickbooks |
| Xero | Accounting Software | https://x.com/xero | https://www.facebook.com/Xero | https://www.linkedin.com/company/xero | https://www.instagram.com/xero |
| FreshBooks | Accounting Software | https://x.com/freshbooks | https://www.facebook.com/FreshBooks | https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshbooks | https://www.instagram.com/freshbooks |
| FedNow | Real-Time Payments Network | https://x.com/federalreserve | https://www.facebook.com/FederalReserve | https://www.linkedin.com/company/federal-reserve-system | — |
| CPA Practice Advisor | Media / Accounting Publication | https://x.com/cpapracticeadv | https://www.facebook.com/CPAPracticeAdvisor | https://www.linkedin.com/company/cpa-practice-advisor | — |
