Tech News: BlackLine adds behavioral analysis to AR

October 14, 2022 8:54 AM

Behavioral analysis is now built into BlackLine's AR Intelligence solution; AltExchange releases Tax Center solution for alternative investments; Bill.com changes branding to just 'Bill'; and other news and updates from the accounting technology world.

Behavioral analysis built into BlackLine’s AR Intelligence

BlackLine, a payments automation company, said its AR Intelligence solution has been bolstered by new behavioral analysis capacities. The software, using behavioral insights gathered in real time during the cash collection and management process, is capable of identifying customers who are at risk of defaulting or delaying their payments; the same capacities can also be used to better identify customers whose credit risk is minimal. These capacities are part of a new Customer Attractiveness Scoring feature that provides real-time comparative data of an entire customer portfolio, configures internal credit scores based on user-defined criteria, and allows for "what-if" scenario analyses. Customer Attractiveness Scoring is generally available now as part of BlackLine AR Intelligence at no additional charge.

Bill.com changes branding to just 'Bill'

Photo: David A. Brown

Payments platform Bill.com, while keeping the actual URL, will be dropping the ".com" from its name to rebrand itself as just "Bill." The name change, according to chief marketing officer Sarah Acton, is more in line with what people have called it colloquially anyway. Furthermore, it was felt the new name better aligns with the CEO's vision, as the business is intended to be for both those who bill and those who pay bills, particularly small and midsized businesses. The name change is part of a wider rebranding effort that includes a new look and doubles down on its focus on small and medium businesses.

AltExchange releases Tax Center solution for alternative investments

intheskies - Fotolia

Private investment solutions provider AltExchange released its new Tax Center solution, which collects and stores tax documents for all alternative investments. The new solution will automatically collect, organize and distribute tax documents (e.g., K-1s and 1099s) for alternative investments; track prior-year and current-year distributions by asset type, make quarterly tax estimates; and integrate with leading advisor portfolio management systems (e.g., Black Diamond, Addepar and Tamarac). Compatible assets include investments from managed private funds, online funding platforms (e.g., Crowdstreet and WeFunder), startups, direct-owned real estate and more.

Integrations and partnerships

MineralTree, a global payments company, announced the ability for users of Sage Intacct's ERP to process multicurrency invoices and make international payments through the MineralTree TotalAP platform. MineralTree TotalAP supports the full invoice-to-pay cycle, from automated capture and approval of foreign-currency invoices to execution of international payments in 130 different currencies. … Intake-to-procure SaaS company Zip has integrated its software with Sage Intacct. The integration automates vendor creation and ensures daily synchronization of records across the Zip platform and Sage Intacct. It also allows joint customers to maintain up-to-date vendor records. … Expense management software provider Rydoo announced a partnership with tax compliance platform Blue Dot that will give Rydoo's customers access to Blue Dot's database of rules and regulations and best practices across national and domestic jurisdictions updated in near real-time to ensure compliance. … Independent contractor management solutions provider ProNovos said it has partnered with eight major CPA firms to bring data-driven insights to construction contractors across the United States. ProNovos will give contractors working with these companies access to its technologies and analytics solutions. Partner firms include Ohio-based GBQ Partners, Albuquerque-based REDW LLC, Tulsa, Oklahoma-based HoganTaylor LLP, Atlanta-based Smith + Howard, Indianapolis-based Somerset CPAs and Advisors, Boston-based AAFCPAs, Salina, Kansas-based Pinion (formerly KCoe Isom) and Portland, Oregon-based Perkins & Co.

Awards and honors

Business communication and automation software provider Quadient received a 2022 Tech Cares Award from software review site TrustRadius; the award celebrates companies that have gone above and beyond to provide impactful corporate social responsibility programs for their employees and surrounding communities. … Accounting and advisory firm Forvis was recognized by Workiva as the 2022 EMEA (Europe, Middle-east and Asia) Workiva Emerging Partner of the Year. The award recognizes business partners that have leveraged significant industry and solution-specific experience to help Workiva customers optimize process transformation and expand their use of the Workiva platform… Accounting software provider Sage named the winners of its annual Sage Intacct Customer Success Awards. This year's top customer award, the Sage Intacct Customer Hero Award, went to Vitamin Angels.

Other news

Accounting-centered client engagement and commerce platform Ignition launched its first continuing professional development course, titled Ignition Certification Program. The free, on-demand program is designed for accountants and bookkeepers who are interested in driving efficiencies in their businesses. … Tax compliance software firm Sovos launched its Sweet Spot for Sales Tax campaign, aimed at helping companies stay compliant without burning out their tax and finance teams or putting the business at risk. The campaign stresses the benefits of consolidating tax compliance processes with one provider.