ACH File Formatting

Question 1

File Header Record

Answer 1

Defines the physical characteristics, immediate origin, and destination

Question 2

Entry Detail Record

Answer 2

Contains information necessary to relate the entry to a Receiver
E.g. Account Number, Routing Number of RDFI, Receiver’s Name and Identification Number, Dollar Amount, and Receiver’s Account Type

Question 3

Company/Batch Header Record

Answer 3

1. Identifies the Originator
2. Briefly describes the purpose of the entry
3. Routing number of the ODFI used for settlement
4. Data contained on this record applies to all entry detail records in the batch

Question 4

Company/Batch Control Record

Answer 4

Contains the following for the preceding detail entries within the batch
1. The detail and addenda record counts
2. Hash Totals
3. Dollar totals

Question 5

Addenda Record

Answer 5

Supplies additional information to the Receiver concerning the preceding entry detail record

Question 6

What is the max number of addenda records allowed for TRX, CTX, and ENR entries?

Answer 6

9,999

Question 7

IATs contain how many addenda records?

Answer 7

7 Mandatory, 5 Optional

Question 8

What is the max number of addenda records allowed (excluding TRX, CTX, ENR, and IAT)

Answer 8

One

Question 9

File ID Modifier

Answer 9

• Contained in the File Header Record
• Permits multiple Files created on the same date between the same participants to be distinguished
• Only uppercase A-Z and numeric 0-9 are allowed

Question 10

Describe the difference between “Mandatory” and “Required” ACH Record Field designations.

Answer 10

Mandatory: Omission will cause the ACH Operator to pend or reject the file, batch, or entry. Content of mandatory fields is necessary to ensure proper routing and/or posting
Required: Omission may cause an entry to reject at the RDFI

Question 11

How many records are contained in a block?

Answer 11

10

Question 12

Sending Point

Answer 12

A processing site from which entries are transmitted to the ACH Operator. May be the ODFI (on own behalf), an FI, or a Third-Party Service Provider on behalf of the ODFI.

Question 13

File Control Record

Answer 13

Summarizes the control totals from the batch controls within the file and also contains the number of blocks and batches within the file

Question 14

What is the purpose of an Entry Hash?

Answer 14

To provide a check against inadvertent alteration of data contents due to hardware failure or program error.

Question 15

Entry Hash - Company/Batch Control Record

Answer 15

The sum of all of the RDFI Identification fields contained within the Entry Detail Records in a batch.

Question 16

Entry Hash - File Control Record

Answer 16

Summarizes the control totals from the batch controls within the file and also contains the number of blocks and batches within the file

Question 17

IAT - Transaction Type Code: ANN

Answer 17

Annuity

Question 18

IAT - Transaction Type Code: BUS

Answer 18

Business/Commercial

Question 19

IAT - Transaction Type Code: DEP

Answer 19

Deposit

Question 20

IAT - Transaction Type Code: LOA

Answer 20

Loan

Question 21

IAT - Transaction Type Code: MIS

Answer 21

Miscellaneous

Question 22

IAT - Transaction Type Code: MOR

Answer 22

Mortgage

Question 23

IAT - Transaction Type Code: PEN

Answer 23

Pension

Question 24

IAT - Transaction Type Code: REM

Answer 24

Remittance

Question 25

IAT - Transaction Type Code: RLS

Answer 25

Rent/Lease

Question 26

IAT - Transaction Type Code: SAL

Answer 26

Salary/Payroll

Question 27

IAT - Transaction Type Code: TAX

Answer 27

Tax (lol)

Question 28

Which SEC codes CANNOT contain an addenda record?

Answer 28

ARC, BOC, POP, RCK, TEL, TRC, and XCK
(hint: it’s all the stupid check ones)