When processing a direct deposit, what does the ACH file transmit?

The ACH (Automated Clearing House) file primarily transmits payments from the payroll system. This file contains information about the net pay amounts for employees that are to be directly deposited into their specified bank accounts on a scheduled payday. The ACH network facilitates electronic transfer of funds, and the payroll system generates the ACH file to initiate these transfers.

The other elements involved in a direct deposit process, such as employee authorization and financial institution data, are indeed crucial for establishing and maintaining the direct deposit arrangement, but they are not the primary focus of what gets transmitted through the ACH file itself. The bank details may be part of the authorization and setup but are not the core content of the ACH file generated for the actual payment transaction. The primary purpose of the ACH file is to ensure that employees receive their payroll funds accurately and on time.