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ACH File Structure and Record Types Flashcards

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  1. In a NACHA ACH file, what is the 'blocking factor' and what value does it have?

    Answer: The number of records per block; value is 10

    The blocking factor is 10, meaning ACH files must be padded with '9' records so the total record count is a multiple of 10 (one block = 10 records × 94 characters = 940 bytes).

  2. How is the 'Hash Total' in an ACH Batch Control Record calculated?

    Answer: By summing the 8-digit RDFI routing transit numbers of all entries

    The hash total is the sum of all 8-digit routing transit numbers (RTNs) of the RDFIs for entries in the batch, used to detect data integrity errors.

  3. What format does the 'Effective Entry Date' field use in the ACH Batch Header Record?

    Answer: YYMMDD

    The Effective Entry Date field uses the 6-character YYMMDD format as specified by NACHA, with the two-digit year appearing first.

  4. What is the length of the 'Individual Name' field in an ACH PPD Entry Detail Record?

    Answer: 22 characters

    The Individual Name field in an Entry Detail Record is 22 characters long and identifies the name of the receiver (individual or company) for the transaction.

  5. In an ACH Entry Detail Record, the 'Transaction Code' field (2 digits) specifies which of the following?

    Answer: The account type (checking/savings) and debit or credit direction

    The Transaction Code identifies both the account type (checking or savings) and the direction (debit or credit), for example '22' for a checking credit and '27' for a checking debit.

  6. What dollar amount must a 'Prenote' ACH entry always contain?

    Answer: $0.00

    Prenote entries always carry a dollar amount of zero; they are zero-dollar test transactions used to validate receiver account information before live entries are sent.

  7. What fills the unused record positions at the end of an ACH file to satisfy the blocking factor requirement?

    Answer: Records filled entirely with the digit '9'

    Padding records consisting entirely of the digit '9' are appended to the end of an ACH file so the total record count is a multiple of 10 (the blocking factor).