ACH Operations Specialist

Position Summary
The ACH Operations Specialist is responsible for supporting the IDB Bank’s day-to-day ACH processing activities and ensuring transactions are processed accurately, timely, and in accordance with Nacha Operating Rules, regulatory requirements, Bank policies, and established operational controls.

This position requires solid hands-on ACH Operations experience and the ability to independently research and resolve ACH-related exceptions, returns, client issues, and processing discrepancies. The role supports both ODFI and RDFI activities and works closely with Treasury Management, Client Service, Account Officers, Risk, Compliance, Fraud, Technology, and other operational areas.

Key Responsibilities
Perform and monitor daily ACH processing activities, including incoming and outgoing ACH files, origination, settlement, returns, exceptions, reversals, and adjustments.
Monitor ACH processing throughout established processing windows and ensure files and transactions are processed within applicable deadlines.
Review and resolve ACH processing exceptions, suspended transactions, rejected files, posting issues, and other operational discrepancies.
Support ODFI ACH origination activities, including review of originator activity, exposure limits, transaction exceptions, return activity, and unusual processing patterns.
Monitor ACH originator risk limits and assist with the review and escalation of transactions exceeding established credit or debit exposure limits.
Perform RDFI return processing and determine appropriate ACH return reason codes based on transaction type, SEC Code, account classification, applicable timeframes, and Nacha Operating Rules.
Handle unauthorized ACH transaction claims and related operational processing, including appropriate treatment of consumer and non-consumer transactions.
Research ACH transactions using trace numbers, Company IDs, settlement information, transaction history, and other available ACH data.
Process and review ACH reversals and ensure reversal requests meet applicable Nacha requirements before processing.
Assist with Proof of Authorization, Written Statement of Unauthorized Debit, Permission to Return, and other ACH-related documentation and requests.
Monitor ACH debit return activity and assist with identification and escalation of originators approaching or exceeding applicable Nacha return-rate thresholds.
Investigate ACH settlement and reconciliation discrepancies and coordinate resolution with Accounting, Deposit Operations, Technology, ACH Operators, and other appropriate parties.
Respond to ACH-related inquiries and escalations from internal business units and provide guidance regarding ACH processing requirements and operational procedures.
Maintain complete and accurate documentation supporting ACH transactions, exceptions, approvals, investigations, and operational decisions.
Assist with ACH audits, risk assessments, regulatory examinations, and remediation activities by gathering documentation and demonstrating adherence to established controls.
Participate in testing and implementation of ACH system enhancements, new products, processing changes, and operational improvements.
Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, reduce manual processing, improve efficiency, and mitigate ACH operational and fraud risk.
Maintain current knowledge of Nacha Operating Rules, Regulation E requirements applicable to ACH transactions, Bank policies, and industry developments.
Provide operational backup and cross-training within ACH Operations as needed.
Required Qualifications
Minimum of 3–5 years of direct ACH Operations experience within a bank, credit union, payment processor, or comparable financial institution environment.
Strong working knowledge of the Nacha Operating Rules and ACH processing requirements.
Demonstrated experience with both ODFI and RDFI ACH operations.
Hands-on experience with ACH origination, returns, NOCs, reversals, exceptions, settlement, and transaction research.
Strong understanding of ACH SEC Codes and return reason codes, including appropriate return timeframes.
Experience researching and resolving complex ACH processing issues independently.
Understanding of consumer versus non-consumer ACH requirements, including Regulation E considerations.
Experience working with ACH risk controls, exposure limits, debit return monitoring, or similar operational risk processes.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple processing deadlines and priorities in a time-sensitive payment operations environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate ACH requirements clearly to both operational and non-operational stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Copilot and other Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred Qualifications
Accredited ACH Professional (AAP) certification strongly preferred.
Experience using Fiserv PEP+, including ACH processing, reporting, exception handling, or Risk Manager functionality.
Experience working with commercial online banking or Treasury Management platforms.
Familiarity with ACH Positive Pay, ACH fraud controls, originator exposure monitoring, and ACH risk-management programs.
Experience supporting internal or external ACH audits and regulatory examinations.
Experience with ACH Operators such as The Clearing House EPN or the Federal Reserve.