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): Sign in to your bank to link.

Question 2

How does vendor setup work?

Accepted Answer

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

How does Cleo Pay handle my data?

Accepted Answer

Please see our privacy policy for details on how we handle your data.

Question 5

How do I connect my bank account?

Accepted Answer

Sign in to your bank to link it, or enter your routing and account numbers by hand.

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, and 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 are deposited to your bank account by ACH. Businesses on Growth and higher plans can also send same-day payments.

Question 7

Can I track my payment status?

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 is part of onboarding 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 three paid plans, and receiving payments is free for vendors. Paying yearly saves 20%. Starter ($79/mo yearly, $99 monthly): 20 payments a month, 2 seats, bill pay with AI bill scanning, charge cards, W-9 collection, and QuickBooks sync. Growth ($239/mo yearly, $299 monthly): 100 payments a month, 5 seats, the AI Finance Manager, multi-step approvals, same-day payments, priority support, and guided migration. Max ($399/mo yearly, $499 monthly): 300 payments a month, 15 seats, AI budgeting, API and MCP access so you can manage payments from Claude or ChatGPT, and a dedicated success manager.

Question 16

Are there setup fees or long-term contracts?

Accepted Answer

There are no setup fees and no onboarding charges. Monthly plans have no long-term contract and you can cancel at any time. Yearly plans are paid upfront for 12 months and save 20%.

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 add their bank by signing in to it or by entering their routing and account numbers. Once they're set up, you can issue payments immediately.

Question 19

Can my accounting team access Cleo Pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Starter includes 2 team seats, Growth includes 5, and Max includes 15, all 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 does vendor setup work?

Do I need to download an app to receive payments?

How does Cleo Pay handle my data?

How do I connect my bank account?

How long does it take to receive my payment?

Can I track my payment status?

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

Your Data & Bank

Payments

Taxes & Compliance

Account & Support

For Businesses

Still have questions?