The honest comparison
Five ways to handle past-due invoices. Here is how they really stack up.
| books.money | Do it yourself | Part-time AR clerk | Flat-fee reminder tools | Let invoices age out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 5% of recovered, capped at $1,500/mo | Your time | About $1,250/mo fixed | Flat monthly fee, no cap on your losses | You write off what you never collect |
| Time you spend | A weekly recap, that is all | Hours every week chasing | You still manage the clerk | You still write and send everything | None, and you get none of it back |
| Recovery rate | Kai works every invoice on cadence | Whatever you get to | Depends on the hire | Only as good as your own follow-up | Zero on aged-out invoices |
| First-party posture | Sends in your company name | It is you | It is your staff | Often sends from the tool brand | Not applicable |
| Escalation handling | Disputes and hostility routed to you instantly | On you | On the clerk | On you | On you |
The clerk figure is a common part-time rate. Flat-fee reminder tools charge whether or not you collect. Kai only earns when you do.