Study guide
AAP study guide
Contents
Chapter 1: ACH Network Overview, Participants & Transaction Flow
Chapter 2: ACH File Architecture & Record Formatting
- 2.1 File Hierarchy: 94-Character Records, Blocking Factors & File Header (Type 1)
- 2.2 Company/Batch Header Record (Type 5) & Service Class Codes
- 2.3 Entry Detail Record (Type 6) & Addenda Records (Type 7)
- 2.4 Batch Control (Type 8), File Control (Type 9) & Entry Hash Calculations
- 2.5 Exception Record Formats: Return (Addenda 99) & Notification of Change (Addenda 98) Layouts
Chapter 3: Nacha Operating Rules Framework & Participant Warranties
Chapter 4: Standard Entry Class (SEC) Codes: Consumer Applications
- 4.1 PPD (Prearranged Payment and Deposit): Direct Deposit & Consumer Debits
- 4.2 WEB (Internet-Initiated Entries): Authorization, Authentication & Validation
- 4.3 TEL (Telephone-Initiated Entries): Inbound vs. Outbound Rules & Recording Requirements
- 4.4 CIE, MTE, POS & SHR: Machine and Point-of-Sale Consumer Entries
- 4.5 Same Day ACH: Windows, Limits ($1,000,000) & Eligibility Rules
Chapter 5: SEC Codes: Commercial, Check Conversion & Specialized Applications
- 5.1 CCD/CCD+ and CTX: Corporate Payments, Addenda & EDI / ASC X12 Formatting
- 5.2 Check Conversion SEC Codes: ARC, BOC & POP Rules and Notices
- 5.3 RCK (Re-presented Checks) & XCK (Destroyed Check Entries)
- 5.4 IAT (International ACH Transactions): Mandatory Addenda & OFAC Screening
- 5.5 Non-Monetary & Specialty Entries: Prenotifications, DNE & ENR
Chapter 6: Authorization Standards, Authentication & Record Retention
Chapter 7: Exception Processing: Returns & Return Reason Codes
- 7.1 Return Processing Overview: Two-Banking-Day Rule vs. Extended Return Rule
- 7.2 Administrative & Operational R-Codes (R01-R04, R08, R16, R17)
- 7.3 Unauthorized Consumer Returns: R05, R07, R10, R11 & The WSUD
- 7.4 Unauthorized Corporate Debits: R29, Contract Rights & the UCC Article 4A Boundary
- 7.5 Dishonored Returns (R61-R70) & Contested Dishonored Returns (R71-R76)
Chapter 8: Exception Processing: Notifications of Change (NOC) & Reversals
Chapter 9: ACH Risk Management, Fraud Monitoring & Exposure Controls
- 9.1 ACH Risk Taxonomy: Credit, Operational, Fraud, Systemic & Compliance Risks
- 9.2 ODFI Originator Onboarding, Underwriting & Exposure Limits
- 9.3 Third-Party Sender (TPS) Due Diligence, Monitoring & Registration
- 9.4 Fraud Schemes: Business Email Compromise (BEC), Account Takeover & Controls
- 9.5 The 2026 Fraud Monitoring Rules: ODFIs, Originators, TPSPs & Third-Party Senders
- 9.6 RDFI ACH Credit Monitoring & the False Pretenses Definition
- 9.7 ACH Data Security: Article One, Sections 1.6 and 1.7 & the ACH Security Framework
- 9.8 Nacha's Risk Management Portal: Contact Registry, TPS & Direct Access Registration, Terminated Originator Database
- 9.9 ACH Risk Assessments, Regulatory Expectations & Operational Resilience
Chapter 10: Legal & Regulatory Framework for ACH
- 10.1 Regulation E (12 CFR 1005): Consumer Protections, Disclosures & Error Resolution
- 10.2 Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Article 4A: Wholesale Funds Transfers & Security Procedures
- 10.3 BSA/AML, SAR/CTR Reporting & OFAC Sanctions Compliance in ACH
- 10.4 31 CFR Part 210 (The Green Book), Reg CC, Reg D & Reg J Interactions