Business ACH Payments: How To Streamline Transfers For Finance Teams

There’s a good chance your team still uses checks. Maybe even wires. And maybe no one’s questioned it because it’s always worked. But now, payment delays are piling up. Fees are cutting into margins. And finance teams are spending more time fixing problems than moving forward.

ACH payments offer a different way to pay and get paid, working behind the scenes to reduce costs and clear bottlenecks in your finance stack.

In this guide, we’ll break down how ACH works, where it fits best, and how to start using it with confidence. We'll also discuss how Wise Business could be a good option for your ACH transfers, especially if you're doing them internationally.

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What Is a Business ACH Payment?

ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. It’s a network that moves money between bank accounts quietly and efficiently.

Most people already use ACH without thinking about it. Things like direct deposit or automatic bill payments often run through the ACH network. But when it comes to businesses, things get more structured.

A business ACH payment is an electronic funds transfer between two business bank accounts. It’s used to send or receive money for things like vendor payments, client invoices, partner payouts, and intercompany transfers.

There are two main types:

• ACH credit is a push. Your business sends money to someone else.
• ACH debit is a pull. You’re giving someone permission to take money from your account.

If you’ve been asked what business-to-business ACH is, it’s this. A digital, bank-to-bank payment method that simplifies how companies move money.

Why ACH Has Become the Default for B2B Payments

In 2024, the ACH network processed 7.3 billion business-to-business payments, marking an 11.6% increase from the previous year.¹
This surge reflects a broader shift in business-to-business money transfers, as companies move away from traditional methods like checks and wires. ACH offers a combination of speed, cost-efficiency, and reliability that aligns with modern business needs.

For recurring vendor payments, ACH provides a scalable solution that simplifies cash flow management. Its digital nature reduces the risks associated with paper-based workflows, enhancing security and ease of reconciliation.

As more partners and vendors adopt ACH, businesses are increasingly expected to offer this payment option. Embracing ACH not only meets these expectations but also positions companies for greater operational efficiency.

ACH vs. Other Business Payment Methods

It’s a fair question: why use ACH at all?

Most finance teams already use multiple ways to move money. But as companies grow, those methods can start to show cracks.

ACH works differently. It’s built for recurring use and integrates more cleanly with tools businesses already rely on. While every method has its merits, one often makes more sense than the others, depending on the context.

Here’s a comparison of common payment methods:

Method	Speed	Cost	Best For
ACH	1–3 business days	Low or free²	Vendor payments, subscriptions
Wire Transfer	Same–day	$25–$40³	Urgent, high-value transfers
Checks	5–10 days	High labor cost	One-off payments to legacy vendors
Credit Cards	Instant	2%–4% of transaction amount⁴	B2C, SaaS, customer invoicing

ACH isn’t perfect for every situation. But when cost and consistency matter, it’s the method many teams rely on.

How ACH Payments Work (Step by Step)

ACH payments don’t feel complicated once you see what’s happening behind the scenes. Whether you’re paying a vendor or collecting from a client, every transfer follows the same basic process.
Here’s how it works.

1. Authorization

Every ACH transfer starts with permission. Your business either authorizes a partner to pull funds from your account or receives permission to push funds to someone else. This step can be handled through an online form, a signed agreement, or a portal built for managing vendor data.

2. Payment Request Is Sent

Once authorized, your bank or payment provider prepares the transfer. This involves formatting the payment file and sending it to an ACH operator, typically the Federal Reserve or a private clearing house.

3. Transaction Moves Through the Network

The ACH operator takes that file, sorts the payment instructions, and sends them to the recipient’s bank. This batching process is what makes ACH so efficient for B2B ACH payments.

4. Funds Are Deposited or Withdrawn

The receiving bank posts the transaction to the recipient’s account. This step usually happens within one to three business days, depending on cut-off times and bank schedules.

5. Same-Day ACH (Optional)

If you need faster processing, same-day ACH is available through most banks and platforms. It comes with a slightly higher fee, but it gets funds settled within hours instead of days. Just be sure to initiate the request early, as same-day ACH has firm cut-off windows.

ACH may be invisible to your customers and vendors, but it’s doing a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes. Once set up, it runs quietly and reliably.

What You Need to Set Up ACH for Business

Getting started with ACH isn’t complicated. However, it does require a few essentials to make sure payments go out smoothly and securely.

A Business Bank Account & Routing Details

You’ll need a verified business checking account to send or receive ACH payments. Make sure you have your account and routing numbers on hand, as these are used to identify your bank and ensure the funds land where they should.

A Way to Collect & Store Authorization

Before initiating a transfer, you need permission from the other party. This can be as simple as an ACH authorization form or a digital sign-off during onboarding. Just make sure you store that information securely and compliantly.

An ACH Provider or Bank Platform

You can use your bank’s online portal or a third-party provider to handle the actual transfer. If you’re sending multiple payments each month, look for a provider that offers automation and batch processing. Some accounting tools come with built-in ACH features.

Internal Controls & Payment Safeguards

Treat ACH like any other form of money movement. Put clear approval workflows in place, especially for high-value transfers. Double-check account details before hitting send, and monitor transaction reports regularly.

Setting up a corporate ACH payment system will help create a secure, repeatable process your finance team can rely on.

ACH Providers Compared: Features, Pricing, & Setup

There’s no shortage of ways to send ACH payments, but not every platform is designed with finance teams in mind. Some focus on developers. Others bundle ACH into broader AP tools.

Below is a breakdown of how popular providers work, what they cost, and who they’re best suited for.

Wise Business ACH Payments

Wise is an international money transfer service that allows for low-cost ACH payments in various currencies. It's a great option for businesses with global clients or suppliers. It's a business account, not a bank account, which makes it a little less of a commitment financially or otherwise compared to the bank accounts listed above.

Wise allows users to send and receive ACH payments. They will generate a quote based on how much you intend to send or receive for their fees, which are usually minimal and very up-front.

Sound amazing? See for yourself how much time and hassle you can save.

Looking to make or receive payments internationally? Learn more below.

Wise and QuickBooks together

If you have international bills to pay, not only can you pay them at the mid-market rate with Wise, but now you can also sync Wise Business with QuickBooks.

• You can see your unpaid bills in real-time and pay them seamlessly from your ‘Bills’ page on Wise.
• Your bill payments and any other Wise transactions will be synced, matched, and categorized in QuickBooks for simple reconciliation.
• Once connected, all bills you create in QuickBooks Online will automatically sync in real-time to Wise, where you can choose which ones to pay.

Some key features of Wise Business:

Major local account details to receive international payments with ease No monthly account fees just a simple one-off fee for account details Receive payments from e-commerce platforms (such as Amazon or via Stripe). Create invoices using the Wise invoice generator or invoice templates. Accounting integrations, including a QuickBooks Bill Pay connection. Bill payments will be synced, matched, and categorized in QuickBooks for simple reconciliation.

Stripe

Stripe is best known for card payments, but it also supports ACH through a secure integration with Plaid. Customers verify their bank accounts by logging in through a Plaid-powered flow, and Stripe uses that token to process the payment.

It’s a strong fit for platforms that already use Stripe and need more control over billing.

Setup:

1. Log in to your Stripe Dashboard
2. Enable ACH Direct Debit under Payment Methods
3. Connect your Plaid account and use Stripe Checkout on your interface to collect bank details

Pricing: 0.8% per transaction, capped at $5

Square

Square offers ACH as a payment method within its invoice tool. It’s simple to activate and doesn’t require any additional development or integrations. This makes it a solid choice for service-based businesses already using Square, especially those handling one-off or occasional invoices.

However, it’s not currently available for recurring billing or subscriptions.

Setup:

1. Create an invoice in your Square Dashboard
2. Under payment methods, check the box for “Bank Transfer (ACH)”
3. Customers complete the payment by securely logging into their bank via Plaid
   Pricing: 1% per transaction, $1 minimum⁵

Chase Business ACH

Chase offers ACH payment tools through its business banking portal. It’s a reliable option for companies already banking with Chase that want manual control over payments without adding third-party platforms.

While it lacks automation, it fits well in finance teams that prefer centralized access to payment features.

Setup:

1. Log in to your Chase Business account
2. Enroll in ACH payment Services through the Payments Center
3. Initiate transfers manually or upload NACHA-formatted files

Pricing: $2.50 per payment for the first 10 payments each month, then $0.15 per transaction after that. Same-day ACH is available for 1% of the payment amount, capped at $25.⁶

GoCardless

GoCardless is designed to collect recurring payments via bank debit, making it a strong choice for subscription-based businesses, service retainers, and invoice installments.

Once a customer authorizes a direct deposit via a secure link, payments run on autopilot, which is ideal for teams looking to reduce late payments and automate collections.

Setup:

1. Sign up for a GoCardless account and connect your business bank account
2. Create a payment link or integrate it with billing software like Xero or QuickBooks
3. Customers authorize payment online; future transfers are handled automatically
   Pricing: Starts at 1% + £0.20 per transaction, capped at £4 (approx. $USD). Fees vary by plan and region.⁷

Tipalti

Tipalti is a comprehensive accounts payable automation platform that includes ACH as one of several payment options.
It’s designed for businesses managing high payment volumes, offering features like tax compliance, global payments, and multi-entity support.

Setup:

1. Sign up for a Tipalti account and configure your business profile
2. Invite vendors to register through the self-service portal
3. Once vendors are onboarded and approved, schedule ACH payments alongside other methods

Pricing: Tipalti’s pricing starts at $99 per month for the Accounts Payable Starter Plan. Advanced features and higher-tier plans are available at additional costs.⁸

Traditional Business Banks

Local and regional banks typically offer ACH services through their business banking portals. These services often involve manual processes, such as entering payment details individually or uploading batch files.

While not the most modern option, this approach can be suitable for businesses with occasional payments and a strong relationship with their bank.

Setup:

1. Contact your bank to enable ACH services for your business account
2. Access the ACH tools through your bank’s online business banking portal
3. Initiate transfers by manually entering payment details or uploading NACHA-formatted files

Pricing: Typically $0.20-$1.50 per transaction, with some banks charging $5-$30 monthly.⁹

Common Use Cases for ACH in Mid-Sized Companies

ACH is more than just a replacement for checks. For mid-sized businesses, it’s a practical way to streamline payments across departments, partners, and geographies.

Here’s where it tends to show up most:

• Vendor and supplier payments: For recurring invoices, purchase orders, or contract work.
• Customer invoicing: An alternative to card payments for large or repeat B2B clients.
• Partner payouts: Ideal for affiliate commissions, revenue shares, or marketplace partners.
• Cross-entity transfers: Move funds between subsidiaries or internal accounts with clear records.
• Employee reimbursements: Pay out expenses to remote or hybrid teams without mailing checks.

As companies grow, so does the number of people and processes involved in moving money. ACH helps simplify that flow, keeping things centralized, trackable, and consistent.

How to Accept ACH Payments from Customers

Offering ACH gives your customers a lower-cost way to pay, especially for high-value or recurring invoices.
Here’s how to make it work smoothly:

• One-time vs. recurring: Use one-time ACH for individual invoices, or set up recurring pulls for subscriptions or retainers.
• Secure collection: Gather bank details through a secure platform—Plaid or micro-deposit verification are common options.
• Simple UX: Use hosted payment forms or portals so customers can authorize ACH with minimal friction.
• Workflow integration: Make sure ACH ties into your invoicing or billing system so payments post automatically.

Once it’s set up, ACH runs in the background, saving time, reducing costs, and improving the payment experience.

Is ACH the Right Fit for Your B2B Workflow?

ACH offers a faster, more efficient way to handle payments. It reduces fees, cuts manual work, and brings more control to your finance stack. If you’re still using checks or wires, start by testing ACH with a few recurring vendors.

Small changes like this can free up your team to focus on strategy instead of chasing paperwork.

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Sources

1. Same Day ACH Passes Major Milestone in 2024 as the ACH Network Shows Higher Growth | BusinessWire
2. ACH VS Wire Transfer | Investopedia
3. Wire Transfer Fees | NerdWallet
4. Passing on Credit Card Fees to Customers | POS Nation
5. Pricing | Square
6. ACH and Real-time Payments | Chase
7. Pricing | GoCardless
8. Pricing | Tipalti
9. A Guide to ACH Processing Fees | Ramp