ACH File - File header Record

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The File Header Record is included once at the beginning of each ACH file and includes the following information (position numbers are listed in parentheses).

An ACH file is a simple ASCII-format file that adheres to Automated Clearing House specifications. A single ACH file holds multiple electronic transactions, much like a manila file folder that is used to store and transmit dozens of sheets of paper with information related to a single topic. Each transaction within an ACH file carries either a credit or a debit value. Typically, a payroll ACH file contains many credit transactions to employees' checking or savings accounts, as well as a balancing debit transaction to the employer's (that is, your client's) payroll account.

Field Name Contents (and position numbers)
Record Type Code

The numeral 1. (01-01) 1 numeric.

Record Type Code, example
ACH head rec type code
Priority Code

The numerals 01. (02-03) 2 numeric.

Priority Code, example
ACH head priority code
Immediate Destination

A blank space, followed by the nine-digit routing number associated with the Immediate Destination field as entered in the Direct Deposit tab (or the Client Direct Deposit tab, if applicable) of the Setup > Bank Accounts screen. (04-13) 10 alphanumeric.

Immediate Destination, example
ACH head imm dest
Immediate Origin

A blank space, followed by the option chosen as the Immediate origin in the Direct Deposit tab (or the Client Direct Deposit tab, if applicable) of the Setup > Bank Accounts screen. (14-23) 10 alphanumeric.

Immediate Origin, example
ACH head imm origin
File Creation Date

The system date when the ACH file was created. (24-29) 6 numeric YYMMDD.

File Creation Date, example
ACH head file creation date
File Creation Time

The system time when the ACH file was created. (30-33) 4 numeric HHMM.

File Creation Time, example
ACH head file creation time
File ID Modifier

This field should start at zero and increment by 1 (up to 9) and then go to letters starting at A through Z for each subsequent file that is created for a single system date. (34-34) 1 numeric 0-9 or uppercase alpha A-Z.

File ID Modifier, example
ACH head fileid mod
Record Size

The numerals 094. (35-37) 3 numeric.

Record Size, example
ACH head rec size
Blocking Factor

The numerals 10. (38-39) 2 numeric.

Blocking Factor, example
ACH head blocking factor
Format Code

The numeral 1. (40-40) 1 numeric.

Format Code, example
ACH head format code
Immediate Destination Name

The bank name associated with the bank selected in the Immediate destination bank field as entered in the Direct Deposit tab (or the Client Direct Deposit tab, if applicable) of the Bank Accounts screen. (41-63) 23 alphanumeric.

Immediate Destination Name, example
ACH head imm dest name
Immediate Origin Name

The choice selected for the Immediate Origin Name as entered in the Direct Deposit tab (or the Client Direct Deposit tab, if applicable) of the Bank Accounts screen. (64-86) 23 alphanumeric.

Immediate Origin Name, example
ACH head imm origin name
Reference Code

Blank or the information entered in the Reference code field as entered in the Advanced Setup dialog, accessed from the Direct Deposit tab (or the Client Direct Deposit tab, if applicable) of the Bank Accounts screen. (87-94) 8 alphanumeric.

Reference Code, example
ACH head ref code

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