---
title: Automated payments guide
slug: automated-payments-guide
description: Roster's Automated Payments pay ambassadors on a predictable cadence, without spreadsheets or manual transfers, and without requiring PayPal.
createdAt: 2025-12-09T17:16:20.069Z
---

Roster's Automated Payments feature is a simple, reliable way to pay your ambassadors on a predictable cadence, without spreadsheets, manual exports, one‑off transfers, and without forcing ambassadors to use PayPal for payouts. 

## Overview

This guide will help you understand, set up, and manage Automated Payments for your ambassador programs. Whether you're just getting started or looking to optimize your payment workflow, you'll find everything you need to successfully implement and use Automated Payments.

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## What is Automated Payments?

Automated Payments is Roster's fully-managed payments for brands who are serious about scaling and streamlining their payment process. It includes:

- **Fully Automated Scheduling**: Enroll programs once, and Roster ensurs you ambassadors are paid on schedule each month
- **Persistent Payment Wallets**: Ambassadors set up their payment information once, and it persists across all payment cycles
- **Automatic ACH Transfers**: Roster automatically pulls funds from your brand's bank account at the right time to fund payments
- **Real-Time Status Tracking**: Know exactly where every payment is in the process, from scheduled to received
- **Full Tax Collection and Reporting**: No more collecting W-9s and filing 1099s; Roster handles all of this for you
- **Proactive Ambassador Notifications**: Ambassadors are reminded to set up their wallets well before payment dates
- **Zero Manual Intervention**: After initial setup, payments run on autopilot

***

## How It Works

### Payment Timeline



![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mmAK_JBzN5YWZNnNvmD7r/1U60CVo1Y3l6figsPkD_c_image.png)

The automated payment cycle follows a predictable monthly timeline, with payments being sent on the first Tuesday of each month:

**Before Payment Date:**

- **26 days before**: Ambassadors receive wallet setup reminders if not yet configured
- **17 business days before**: Brands receive upcoming ACH transfer notification email with PDF invoice
- **10 busienss days before**: Roster automatically initiates ACH transfer from brand's bank to fund the payment wallet
- **4 business days before**: Brands receive upcoming payment batch notification email

**Payment Date:**

- Payments are automatically sent to all eligible ambassadors' wallets on the first Tuesday of the month
- Only ambassadors with wallets set up receive payments
- All approved commissions before the cutoff date are included (Commission cutoff is the last day of the prior month. e.g. October 31st for a December payment.)

**After Payment:**

- Brands receive confirmation email with payment summary
- Payment details are available in the Brand Portal
- Timeline events are created for each ambassador

### For Ambassadors

Ambassadors enjoy a streamlined payment experience:

1. Receive notifications to set up their secure payment wallet
2. Add their preferred payout method (bank account, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, etc.)
3. Automatically receive payments on scheduled dates
4. View earnings balance and payment history in their portal
5. Manage payout methods and withdraw funds at their convenience

### For Brands

Brands benefit from complete automation:

1. Connect your bank account for ACH transfers
2. Enroll your referral programs in automated payments
3. Monitor payment readiness and upcoming batches
4. The system handles the rest automatically

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## Key Benefits

### Reduced Operations

No more manual scripts, link management, or payment coordination. The system handles everything automatically.

### Accurate Status Tracking

Real-time payment status updates, so you always know where payments stand.

### Better Ambassador Experience

Professional, automated payment process with clear visibility into earnings, payment schedule, and payment history.

### Scalable Solution

System handles growing ambassador base automatically without additional operational overhead.

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## Payment Methods Comparison

### When to Choose Automated Payments:

- You want to eliminate manual payment processing
- You prefer a predictable, scheduled payment cadence
- You have a large or growing ambassador base
- You want ambassadors to manage their own payment preferences
- You need detailed payment tracking and audit trails

### Alternative Options in Roster:

**PayPal & Venmo Payments**: If you prefer manual control over each payment batch but want integration with Roster. 

See [PayPal & Venmo payments guide](docId:4dpkdiNYcpTNMI8JoP9Mk) 

**External Payments**: If you use a different payment platform (ACH, Stripe, store credit, etc.) and want Roster for commission calculation only. 

See [External payments FAQs](docId\:OHWiBA01M8io0EHNb_Q38) 

***

## Support Resources

### Documentation

Throughout this guide, you'll find links to detailed documentation on specific topics. All guides include step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and video walkthroughs where applicable.

### Getting Help

- **Email Support**: [payments@getroster.com](mailto\:payments@getroster.com)
- **Account Manager**: Contact your Roster account manager for plan-related questions
- **In-App Help**: Access contextual help throughout the Roster platform