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What is a check payment?

A check is a paper order telling your bank to pay someone — still common in B2B, especially with older AP departments. Downsides: mail delays, manual reconciliation, and fraud risk (check washing is real). If a client insists on checks, deposit them the day they arrive.

In practice

A supplier receives a $8,000 check 12 days after invoicing — 10 of them in the mail. The funds clear 3 business days after deposit.

Related terms

  • ACH transfer — Low-cost electronic bank-to-bank payment (1–3 days).
  • Cash payment — Payment in physical currency — immediate and final.
  • Receipt — Written proof that a payment was received.

Make checks easy to send

Clear 'payable to' and mailing details on every invoice — no excuses, no delays.

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Frequently asked questions

Are checks still common for business payments?

Surprisingly yes — especially in construction, government, and older industries. Many AP departments still run on checks.

How do I protect against check fraud?

Use positive pay with your bank, deposit checks immediately, and watch for altered amounts. Never accept an overpayment check and 'refund the difference' — that's the classic scam.

Should I offer a discount for electronic payment instead?

It's often worth it — a small prompt-payment nudge toward ACH saves you mail float, deposit trips, and fraud exposure.