ACH Operations Specialist

IDBNY; New York; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

IDB Bank, located in New York, seeks an ACH Operations Specialist to ensure accurate, timely ACH processing in accordance with Nacha Rules and internal controls.

The role requires hands-on ACH experience and the ability to resolve exceptions, returns, and processing discrepancies in collaboration with Treasury, Risk, Compliance, and Technology. Hybrid/onsite schedule with cross‑functional engagement.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of direct ACH Operations experience in a financial institution.
• Strong working knowledge of Nacha Operating Rules and ACH processing requirements.
• Experience with both ODFI and RDFI ACH operations.
• Hands-on experience with origination, returns, reversals, exceptions, settlement, and research.
• Understanding of ACH SEC Codes and return reason codes.

Responsibilities

• Perform and monitor daily ACH processing activities, including files, origination, settlement, returns, and adjustments.
• Monitor processing windows and ensure timely processing within deadlines.
• Review and resolve processing exceptions and posting issues.
• Support ODFI origination activities, including originator activity and exposure limits.
• Monitor originator risk limits and assist with escalations for excess exposure.
• Perform RDFI return processing and determine appropriate return codes.
• Handle unauthorized ACH claims and related processing.
• Research ACH transactions using trace numbers and settlement data.
• Process and review ACH reversals, ensuring Nacha compliance.
• Assist with Proof of Authorization and related documentation.
• Monitor debit return activity and escalation of originators.
• Investigate settlement discrepancies and coordinate resolution.
• Respond to ACH inquiries and provide guidance on processing rules.
• Maintain documentation supporting ACH transactions and investigations.
• Assist with audits, risk assessments, and regulatory examinations.
• Participate in testing of ACH system changes and improvements.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual processing and improve controls.
• Maintain knowledge of Nacha Rules and Regulation E.

Skills

ACH processing

Nacha Rules knowledge

ODFI/RDFI operations

issue research

risk controls

communication

documentation

Excel

Microsoft Office

process improvement

Tools

Copilot

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

1114 Avenue of the Americas, NYC, NY, 10036

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 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.

Core Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong ACH technical knowledge, sound operational judgment, attention to detail, ownership of issues through resolution, effective escalation practices, and the ability to work independently in a deadline‑driven environment.

This role requires an individual who understands not only how to process an ACH transaction, but also why a transaction should or should not be processed and the operational and compliance implications of that decision.

Compensation
The expected annual salary for this position is between $90,000 and $110,000 at the start of employment. A salary offer is determined on an individualized basis, taking into consideration factors such as an individual’s skills and experience. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package also includes eligibility for an annual bonus, medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision plans, life and disability insurance, employee wellness program, retirement and savings plans with employer contributions, generous holiday and paid time off schedules, parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.
Additional Information
The Bank Will Make Reasonable Accommodations To The Following Employees To Allow Them To Perform The Essential Functions Of Their Position, Except Where Doing So Would Result In Undue Hardship To The Bank

• Those with a known mental or physical disability.
• Pregnant individuals and/or individuals with pregnancy or childbirth‑related medical conditions.
• Victims of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking.
• Employees with religious observance and practice obligations.

Any employee who believes he or she needs an accommodation for any of the above reasons should contact their supervisor or a member of Human Resources to request such an accommodation. In each case, the Bank will engage in a good faith written or oral dialogue concerning the individual’s accommodation needs; potential accommodations that may address the individual’s accommodation needs, including alternatives to a requested accommodation; and the difficulties that such potential accommodations may pose for the employer.
The Bank retains the ultimate discretion to choose the appropriate reasonable accommodation. Upon reaching a final determination at the conclusion of the cooperative dialogue, the Bank will provide the requesting individual with a written final determination identifying any accommodation granted or denied. In addition, the Bank will maintain any information regarding the employee’s request and status in the strictest confidence, except as requested by the employee, as required on a need‑to‑know basis or as otherwise required by law.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
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We are operating on a Hybrid schedule.
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