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How to Calculate the ROI of Invoice Automation

Before investing in any software, you want to know the return. Invoice automation ROI is straightforward to calculate — here's a framework you can apply to your own numbers.

Step 1: Calculate your current cost

Time per invoice × invoices per month × hourly rate of the person processing them. For example: 5 min × 60 invoices × £30/hr = £150/month in staff time for invoice processing alone. Add your bookkeeper's rate if they do it.

Step 2: Calculate the automated cost

InboxBill subscription (£15–29/month) + review time (about 30 seconds per invoice, so 30 minutes for 60 invoices) × hourly rate. At £30/hr: £29 + (0.5 hrs × £30) = £44/month total.

Step 3: Add indirect savings

  • Late payment penalties avoided (e.g. £50–200/year if you currently miss due dates)
  • Duplicate payment recovery (£200–500 if you currently pay duplicates)
  • Accountant correction time at year end (£150+/hour for fixes)
  • Your own mental overhead (harder to quantify, very real)

Example ROI calculation

BeforeAfter
Monthly staff time cost£150£15
InboxBill subscription£0£29
Error corrections (amortised)£30£5
Late payment fees (amortised)£20£0
Total monthly cost£200£49
Monthly saving—£151
Annual saving—£1,812
For a business processing 60 invoices per month, InboxBill typically saves £1,500–2,500 per year in staff time and error costs. ROI is usually 10–20x the subscription cost.

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