Can we automate payment of dwyler invoices?

[iteles]

• Ask Xero why their batch exports don't work on the Santander system (this was because they don't support BACS at all)
• Test batch payments using "Faster Payments" system in Santander on next pay run
• Resolve between Xero and Santander how to export batches from Xero and import into Santander

At the moment, @markwilliamfirth has to go in every week and manually pay all dwyler invoices. This process also involves an OTP which is even more time consuming.

This is hugely time consuming and a total waste of Mark's time.

Is there a way we can automate these payments? Or make the process more efficient? Maybe through Xero? Or by using a different bank for paying out?

[ghost]

https://teller.io/

https://help.xero.com/uk/Accounts_AP_AddBatch

[iteles]

If we're looking to consolidate with one bank (this seems wise) as per #26 (comment), is Metro bank also a good candidate for this issue?

[ghost]

@iteles how do you mean? Metro also works with Xero

[rub1e]

Not really following what's going on here, but we can certainly bundle together payroll into a BACS export, then import it into Santander as long as we have the appropriate Santander account, (Connect Plus) and we might need to check with our "relationship manager" or whatever they're called.

[rub1e]

UPDATE: after going around the houses a bit, we've confirmed that we are able to do batch payments, but we need to apply for BACS sponsorship so we can use that system (yes, it might have been nice of Santander to inform us).

So now we need to apply and wait till we have a Service User Number (no, it's not actually documented anywhere in their help centre, since you ask) 😒

[iteles]

@rub1e This is exactly the kind of thing I was after, thanks for your diligence 🎉

[rub1e]

You spoke too soon! After a bizarre call during which I ascertained that the person who told me we could do BACS payments had probably misheard me and said we could do BATCH payments... we're back to manual payments.

I am, however, confident that I can set up a payment profile to do payroll all in one go, and possibly apply that to individual freelancer invoices.

There is also the possibility that Xero can export batch payments (I tried, but Santander rejected the files), but I need to get in touch with them directly, as Santander were no help.

And then we can put this whole sorry time-draining affair behind us 🤞

[rub1e]

UPDATE: process as it stands is captured in the process handbook

It will be updated and this issue closed when we have resolution on importing batches

[rub1e]

The upshot is that we can do multiple payments in one go, but not export batch payments

This means that we can streamline the process to the extent that we pay everything in one go and so only require one passcode, but we can't just export the payments as a csv from Xero - we have to enter manually.

Shall we close until Xero supports batches for the Faster Payments system, @iteles ?

[iteles]

@rub1e I agree, thank you for investigating rather than passing it back to me to investigate 👍 ❤️