Medius Financial Census: 87% of Finance Professionals Admit to Ignoring Small-Scale Fraud

New research reveals a startling normalization of workplace fraud within finance departments, even as organizations brace for sophisticated AI-driven attacks. For fintech professionals, this highlights a critical gap between high-level security investments and the persistent, low-level internal leaks that continue to drain corporate resources despite widespread accounts payable automation.

What was announced

Medius has released the findings of its 2026 Financial Census, a comprehensive study surveying 2,386 finance executives across the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, and France. The data exposes the rise of "shallowfakes"—minor financial rule-bending such as expense embellishment—which 74% of professionals believe is now common in the workplace. The research indicates that 87% of finance executives have ignored expenses they suspected were fraudulent, while 64% would feel justified committing a small dishonest act if they felt undervalued.

The financial impact is substantial. US organizations reported losing an average of $168,000 annually to invoice fraud, experiencing roughly one successful attempt per month. While 85% of teams have implemented some AP automation, the technology has not yet eliminated manual burdens; nearly half of all invoices still require human intervention. This inefficiency contributes to a cycle of late payments, with 28% of invoices paid past their due date. The consequences are severe, with 43% of respondents reporting that suppliers have terminated relationships due to payment delays, and 42% facing formal legal action.

The census also tracks the rapid adoption of agentic AI. Currently, 38% of finance departments use agentic AI, with another 50% planning deployment within a year. However, governance remains a point of friction: 90% of professionals insist on human approval thresholds, and 75% report that AI usage has actually increased worker fatigue or burnout.

"Costly deepfake fraud gets all the headlines. But while finance professionals keep a sharp eye out for these scams, hundreds of thousands of dollars are slipping out the back door through shallowfake fraud. These seemingly minor 'micro frauds' add up to death by a thousand cuts for organizations without the controls in place to catch them."

Chris Wilmot, Chief Financial Officer at Medius.

The companies involved

Medius is a prominent provider of accounts payable (AP) automation and spend management solutions. The company focuses on streamlining the end-to-end invoice process, utilizing technology to replace manual data entry and approval workflows. By providing tools that manage the entire lifecycle of a transaction, Medius aims to offer businesses greater visibility into their cash flow and reduce the risk of both external and internal fraud.

IDC (International Data Corporation) is a global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends. Kevin Permenter, who contributed to the census findings, serves as Research Director for Financial Applications at the firm. IDC is frequently cited for its benchmarks in digital transformation and its evaluation of how emerging technologies, such as AI and automation, impact operational outcomes in the corporate sector.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously covered the intersection of digital transformation and industry recognition involving IDC, notably when Tru Cooperative Bank Wins National IDC CIO Award for Collaborative Digital Transformation. The broader industry shift toward securing autonomous systems was also highlighted in our report on how Entrust Launches Agentic AI Trust Accelerator to Secure Autonomous AI for Financial Institutions. Additionally, the ongoing evolution of the treasury and cloud infrastructure space has been a focus through coverage of FIS Named World’s Best Treasury Management Software by Global Finance for 2026 and the partnership where Quantinuum and Oracle Partner to Bring Helios Quantum Computing to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

What this means

The industry is facing a "trust paradox" where the fear of external AI threats is distracting from a culture of internal non-compliance. While vendors have successfully sold the promise of automation, these findings suggest that the current generation of tools is failing to deliver the "hands-off" efficiency promised, leaving AP teams stressed and suppliers litigious. The market is now under pressure to move beyond simple workflow automation toward robust autonomous systems that include clear accountability frameworks. The real question for the sector is whether AI can actually reduce burnout, or if it will simply create a new category of "tech-fatigue" while minor frauds continue to erode the bottom line.