Question 1

What information do I need to provide during signup?

Accepted Answer

All vendors on the Cleo Pay platform will need to sign up using a tax ID number — either your Social Security Number if filing as an individual, or your EIN (Employer Identification Number) if you're registering as an LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, or other entity. This ensures all payments are sent to verified businesses, whether you're self-employed as an independent contractor or a larger company. You'll also need to provide a mailing address so you can receive a 1099 form at year-end, and connect your bank account. We offer two options: Option 1 (Recommended): Through our partner Plaid, which lets.

Question 2

How long does vendor setup take?

Accepted Answer

Most vendors complete the setup process in under 15 minutes. You'll receive a link from the business paying you — just follow the steps to enter your tax info and connect your bank account. No app download required.

Question 3

Do I need to download an app to receive payments?

Accepted Answer

No. Vendor onboarding is done entirely through a simple web link sent by your client. There is no app to download and no account fees. You can receive unlimited payments at no cost.

Question 4

Is Cleo Pay safe to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Cleo Pay uses bank-level encryption to keep all of your sensitive data and information safe and secure. Please see our privacy policy for details on how we handle your data. Our partner Plaid keeps all bank account information secure and encrypted. For more information, visit Plaid's Security Information page.

Question 5

How does Cleo Pay keep my bank information secure?

Accepted Answer

Bank connections are established through Plaid using OAuth, which means your banking credentials are never shared with Cleo Pay directly. Payments are processed through Dwolla, a certified ACH payment processor. All sensitive data is encrypted at rest and in transit.

Question 6

How long does it take to receive my payment?

Accepted Answer

Once your invoice is submitted, the paying business receives a notification that it's ready for review. They'll approve your invoice and issue payment — you'll be notified at each step. Timelines depend on the business and their accounting process. Once you're notified that payment has been initiated, funds will be deposited to your bank account via ACH within one to two business days. Some businesses offer same-day or next-day ACH for faster delivery.

Question 7

Can I track my payment status in real-time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your vendor portal shows the full payment lifecycle: Awaiting Approval, Ready to Pay, Processing, and Paid. You'll also receive email notifications at each stage so you always know where things stand.

Question 8

Can payments be scheduled in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Businesses using Cleo Pay can schedule payments for a future date. If a payment is scheduled, you'll see the expected payment date in your vendor portal.

Question 9

Will I receive a 1099 from Cleo Pay?

Accepted Answer

Vendors who receive over $20,000 and 200 or more payments via Cleo Pay will receive a 1099-K in accordance with updated IRS guidance on 1099-K reporting. 1099 forms will be available in your Cleo portal and mailed out in January following the previous tax year.

Question 10

What is the W-9 and why do I need to provide one?

Accepted Answer

A W-9 provides your tax identification number (SSN or EIN) so the business paying you can file accurate tax forms at year-end. Completing your W-9 takes about 5 minutes during the onboarding process and is required before you can receive your first payment.

Question 11

Do I get access to a vendor portal to track payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once your vendor account is created, you can see the status of all your invoices and payment requests. Once payments are made, you'll see whether the payment is processing or has been deposited to your bank account.

Question 12

What support is available if I have payment issues?

Accepted Answer

Cleo Pay's support team is here to help with any questions. Reach us at support@cleo-pay.com. We're also happy to schedule a personalized 15-minute onboarding call to walk you through the platform and get you set up with anything you need.

Question 13

Am I entering into any contractual obligations with Cleo Pay directly?

Accepted Answer

No. Cleo Pay acts only as a payment processor on behalf of the business inviting you to receive a payment. Cleo Pay has no affiliation or involvement with any invoice items, payment terms, or other contractual matters between you and the business issuing payment to you.

Question 14

What is Cleo Pay and what problem does it solve?

Accepted Answer

Cleo Pay is an accounts payable automation platform built for small and mid-sized businesses. It replaces manual check writing, spreadsheets, and back-and-forth emails with a single system that handles invoices, ACH payments, W-9 collection, 1099 compliance, and QuickBooks sync. Businesses save hours every week and reduce the risk of errors and missed payments.

Question 15

How much does Cleo Pay cost?

Accepted Answer

Cleo Pay offers four plans: Free — Receive-only access for vendors at no charge. Basic ($99/mo) — Up to 15 outbound payments per month and core AP automation. Plus ($199/mo) — Up to 50 outbound payments per month, next-day ACH, 1099 filing, and 3 team seats. Built for venues and promotion companies. Pro ($299/mo) — Up to 100 outbound payments per month, 10 team seats, 1099 filing included, and dedicated support.

Question 16

Are there setup fees or long-term contracts?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no setup fees, no onboarding charges, and no long-term contracts. You can cancel your subscription at any time.

Question 17

Does Cleo Pay sync with QuickBooks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every payment made through Cleo Pay syncs automatically with QuickBooks Online. Each transaction is matched to the correct vendor, category, and reference number — so your books stay accurate without manual data entry.

Question 18

How does contractor onboarding work?

Accepted Answer

Send your contractor a unique invite link or QR code. They follow a guided flow to enter their W-9 information and connect their bank account via Plaid. Most contractors complete setup in about 15 minutes. Once they're set up, you can issue payments immediately.

Question 19

Can my accounting team access Cleo Pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Basic plan includes 3 team seats and the Pro plan includes 10 seats, both with role-based permissions. You can give your accountant or bookkeeper access to view, approve, or process payments without sharing your owner credentials.

What information do I need to provide during signup?

How long does vendor setup take?

Do I need to download an app to receive payments?

Is Cleo Pay safe to use?

How does Cleo Pay keep my bank information secure?

How long does it take to receive my payment?

Can I track my payment status in real-time?

Can payments be scheduled in advance?

Will I receive a 1099 from Cleo Pay?

What is the W-9 and why do I need to provide one?

Do I get access to a vendor portal to track payments?

What support is available if I have payment issues?

Am I entering into any contractual obligations with Cleo Pay directly?

What is Cleo Pay and what problem does it solve?

How much does Cleo Pay cost?

Are there setup fees or long-term contracts?

Does Cleo Pay sync with QuickBooks?

How does contractor onboarding work?

Can my accounting team access Cleo Pay?

Getting paid shouldn’t be complicated.

What is Cleo Pay?

Getting Started

Security & Safety

Payments

Taxes & Compliance

Account & Support

For Businesses

Still have questions?