How does the Professional Payments Network work?

A client’s AP department or bank initiates a payment through the network, typically as a virtual card. That payment is automatically processed within your 8am account, without any manual entry. Funds are deposited in 1–2 business days, and the transaction appears in your dashboard for reconciliation. The full flow is handled within the platform, from acceptance to recordkeeping.

Does the Professional Payments Network cost extra?

No. The Professional Payments Network is included with every 8am payment account, including ClientPay, CPACharge, LawPay, and AffiniPay. Virtual card transactions are processed at standard credit card rates, with no setup fees or additional subscriptions.

What are virtual card payments?

Virtual cards are secure, single-use card numbers issued by a client’s bank or AP provider for a specific payment. They guarantee funds, reduce fraud risk, and typically settle within 1–2 business days. Through PPN, these payments are automatically accepted and reconciled inside the 8am platform.

Which 8am products include the Professional Payments Network?

The Professional Payments Network is included with all 8am payment solutions: ClientPay, CPACharge, LawPay, and AffiniPay. Every account is automatically enrolled, with no additional setup required.

8am Professional Payments Network

Integrated payment processing across banks, bill pay, and virtual cards

Get paid with more certainty, without changing how your firm works. The 8am™ Professional Payments Network (PPN) is integrated payment processing that connects you to accounts payable (AP) vendors and banks to process virtual cards automatically, guarantee funds, and keep transactions ready to reconcile. Included with every 8am payment account at no additional cost.

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A woman smiles as she discusses the payment methods she can accept - eCheck, Card (Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Discover), Pay Later with Affirm

What is the Professional Payments Network?

Make it easy for clients to pay you

Clients pay you through their existing systems

The Professional Payments Network connects you to the systems your clients already use—like their bank or accounting platform—so they can pay you without changing their process.

For example, if a client wants to pay through their bank app, they can search for your business and send payment directly.

Payments are processed automatically

When clients send payments through their bank or accounts payable system, they’re delivered via virtual cards with secure, single-use card numbers created for each transaction.

These payments are processed automatically within your account, without manual entry.

Built-in security and guaranteed funds

Payments sent through the PPN are processed with built-in security and guaranteed funds. Virtual cards help reduce the risk of failed payments or fraud, while maintaining a consistent, trackable payment process.

How the professional payments network works

Step 1: Payment is initiated

Your client pays through a bill pay system or bank network, often using a virtual card.

Step 2: Payment is processed

The virtual card is received and processed for your 8am account. There’s no manual entry or extra handling required.

Step 3: Funds are deposited

Payments settle with guaranteed funds and are deposited into your account within 1–2 business days.

Step 4: Transactions are ready to reconcile

Each payment appears in your dashboard as it’s processed, so your records stay current and aligned.

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Professional Payments Network benefits

More ways to get paid, less to manage

Spend less time chasing payments

Make it easier for clients to pay you by meeting them where they already manage money. Clients can pay through their bank’s bill pay system or app, instead of logging into a separate payment page. With more ways to pay, fewer invoices sit unpaid, and your team spends less time following up.

Get paid without complications

Know when payments are coming and count on them arriving. With faster processing and more dependable payment methods, you improve cash flow and reduce the uncertainty that slows down your business.

All included at no extra cost

You get all of these benefits automatically as part of your 8am account. No additional tools to manage, no extra fees to justify—just a simpler way to handle payments without changing how you work.

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Payments that exceed industry security standards

8am is built to meet the security and compliance standards professional service firms expect. With PCI Level 1 certification, payment data is stored in a secure card vault and protected through encryption. Your team doesn’t need to manage sensitive data directly, and clients can pay with confidence.

Explore 8am security Why 8am?

8am solutions

Payment solutions that fit how you work

Support compliant payment handling with proper separation of client funds. Expand payment options while staying aligned with trust accounting requirements.

Explore LawPay
Track payments across multiple methods with consistency and clarity. Simplify reconciliation and gain better visibility into your firm’s cash flow.

Explore CPACharge
Accept a wide range of client payment methods—including virtual cards and AP payments—without changing how you invoice. Reduce friction with enterprise clients and get paid faster.

Explore ClientPay
Handle dues, donations, and event payments with ease. Deliver a secure, consistent payment experience for members while maintaining reliability at scale.

Explore AffiniPay

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions: Professional Payments Network

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