How an Embedded Treasury Can Help SMEs Thrive Accounting may be the language of business, but let's be honest, it's not exactly fluent in innovation. For something that's meant to keep everything ticking over smoothly, traditional systems still leave a lot to be desired.

The truth is, they were built for a different time, slower, less connected, and definitely less demanding. That's where the quiet revolution begins. Enter embedded treasury. It's not just a helpful add-on; it's a rethink of how you manage cash flow, customer demands, and operational agility. When it's done right, it doesn't just support your business, it actively powers it.

Forget firefighting overdue invoices or scrambling for visibility, with the right tools and mindset, finance becomes a growth engine. And this is just the beginning. Let's dig into how embedded treasury is reshaping the game.

The current problem facing SMEs when managing cash flow
As a founder yourself, you'll know most small businesses don't have a dedicated finance department. Instead, you take on multiple roles office manager, accountant, sales representative, marketing chief, and more. This means you're often relying on outdated software to keep things running and prevent your mind from spinning. Consequently, the battles become:

• Late Payments - Many businesses don't have the time or tools to chase payments efficiently. Money comes in slower than it should.
• Cash Flow Surprises - Without real-time insights, it's easy to get blindsided by cash shortfalls, leading to last-minute loans or missed supplier payments.
• High Fees - Traditional financial services often charge SMEs more relative to their size, eating into already thin profit margins.
• Wasted Time - Time spent moving money around, reconciling transactions, or applying for loans is time not spent growing the business.

What can an embedded treasury do for me?
Think of an embedded treasury as like having a smart financial system built directly into your business tools. It helps you track cash, manage payments, access financing, and control spending without jumping between multiple banks or apps. Everything happens in one place - inside the software you already use to run your business.

For example, imagine your invoicing tool not only sends invoices but also tracks incoming payments, pays suppliers, forecasts your cash flow, and even offers a credit line if you need to cover a shortfall. All without logging into a separate banking portal. That's what embedded treasury is about: simplifying financial management so you can focus on growth. Some tools can seem nifty but be a hinderance, embedded finance instead works for you with personalised recommendations, enabling complete control. So, how does it solve those issues SME's face? Let me tell you…

Four ways an embedded treasury helps SMEs succeed

1. Cash flow visibility without the guesswork
Many SMEs operate on instinct when it comes to cash flow. They glance at their bank balance and hope it holds up until the next sale or payment. Embedded treasury tools can offer a clear, up-to-date view of your cash position. For example, your payment platform can show incoming payments, highlight overdue invoices, and predict how long your cash will last based on current expenses, all within the app you already use. This clarity helps businesses avoid dangerous dips in cash and plan more confidently.

2. Faster, cheaper access to credit
Small businesses often struggle to get loans from traditional banks because they can't provide enough paperwork or collateral. Embedded treasury flips this around. Since the platform already sees your business activity, from sales to expenses, it can offer credit based on real-time data. For instance, an online store could receive an instant loan offer based on monthly revenue trends, with repayment linked to future sales. No need for long applications or paperwork. This kind of financing is faster, fairer, and more accessible to growing businesses.

3. Automated payments save time and reduce errors
Paying suppliers, contractors, and employees often involves logging into banking systems, checking balances, and scheduling transfers. Embedded treasury features can automate all of this. For example, once a sale happens, a percentage can be set aside for taxes, bills can be paid automatically on due dates, and payroll can run on autopilot — all without switching systems. Automation not only saves time but reduces the risk of costly payment mistakes and late fees.

4. Financial tools built into everyday workflows
One of the biggest benefits of embedded treasury is reducing complexity. You don't have to manage multiple bank accounts or financial dashboards. Whether you use a point-of-sale system, invoicing app, or e-commerce platform, treasury features can be baked into your regular workflow. This reduces the friction in managing money and frees up time for strategy and growth.

The future: Finance that works behind the scenes
Big companies have had treasury departments for decades, handling cash management, payments, and risk management. Now, technology is making these advanced financial tools available to smaller businesses, without the need for extra staff or complicated systems. Every function of your business deserves an upgrade. No matter how small its role, when everything works seamlessly, you can relax and focus on harnessing those opportunities to take it to the next level.

The change is happening now, not in the distant future. If you are hesitant, that's ok because embedded finance is a flexible tool at your service that you can trial at any time. For BIZ Experiencess and tech leaders building or running SMEs, the message is simple: the less time you spend chasing payments and managing cash, the more time you have to build a thriving, and resilient business.