EPP Clerk

FirsTech; Edwardsville (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

FirsTech in Edwardsville, IL is seeking an Electronic Payment Processing Clerk to support daily ACH operations, reconcile activity, and ensure accurate transaction processing. You will generate and validate payment files, balance batches, and resolve exceptions across multiple systems.

The role emphasizes attention to detail, analytical skills, and collaboration with internal teams and banking partners to maintain regulatory compliance and timely client deliverables.

Qualifications

• College degree preferred; equivalent work experience acceptable.
• Minimum of two years of direct experience in banking operations, treasury management services, or enterprise payment processing (ACH, real-time payments such as Zelle® or FedNow®).
• Prior experience working with payment processing platforms, secure file transmissions, and payment risk management tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Generate, review, and distribute daily ACH processing reports for billers, clients, and internal stakeholders.
• Create and process ACH batch files through internal systems and payment processing applications.
• Validate ACH batch files, transaction details, and control totals to ensure accuracy prior to transmission.
• Perform quality control reviews of batch files and balancing activities completed by other ACH team members.
• Upload and transmit ACH files to banking partners in accordance with established processing schedules and procedures.
• Process POP, WEB, and other ACH transaction types, including the creation and validation of associated files and reports.
• Process ACH returns, chargebacks, re-originations, and related exception transactions in accordance with department procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Perform research and analysis on returned and exception items to determine root cause and appropriate resolution.
• Make transaction decisions and execute corrective actions based on research findings and established guidelines.
• Investigate ACH exceptions, processing errors, rejects, and out-of-balance conditions utilizing multiple internal systems and reporting tools.
• Monitor ACH processing queues and ensure daily production deadlines and service-level expectations are met.
• Process Federal Notices of Change (NOCs), update customer information, and ensure required account maintenance is completed accurately and timely.
• Maintain and update tracking logs, spreadsheets, databases, and operational reports related to ACH processing activities.
• Generate and distribute client-specific reports and notifications as required by service agreements.
• Perform specialized processing functions for designated billers and clients, including unique procedures and workflows.
• Reconcile daily ACH activity and verify balancing of transaction totals between processing systems, settlement reports, and bank records.
• Record settlement offsets and provide supporting documentation for accounting and reconciliation purposes.
• Partner with Accounting, Service Support, Research, Banking Operations, and other departments to resolve discrepancies and processing issues.
• Identify trends, recurring issues, and process improvement opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and reduce processing risk.
• Maintain compliance with company policies, NACHA operating rules, banking regulations, and internal controls.
• Participate in cross-training initiatives and provide backup support for other ACH and payment-processing functions as business needs require.

Skills

ACH compliance

Real-time payments

Risk monitoring

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Analytical thinking

Adaptability

Process improvement

Education

College degree preferred

Tools

Payment platforms

Secure file transfer

Risk management tools

Job description

Position Summary

The Electronic Payment Processing Clerk is responsible for supporting the daily processing, reconciliation, and administration of Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions to ensure the accurate and timely movement of electronic payments. This role serves as a key operational resource within the ACH Department by generating and validating payment files, balancing transaction activity, researching exceptions, processing returns and adjustments, maintaining regulatory compliance, and supporting internal and external stakeholders. The position requires strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and the ability to work across multiple systems while ensuring the integrity of financial transactions and client deliverables.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Generate, review, and distribute daily ACH processing reports for billers, clients, and internal stakeholders.


• Create and process ACH batch files through internal systems and payment processing applications.


• Validate ACH batch files, transaction details, and control totals to ensure accuracy prior to transmission.


• Perform quality control reviews of batch files and balancing activities completed by other ACH team members.


• Upload and transmit ACH files to banking partners in accordance with established processing schedules and procedures.


• Process Point of Purchase (POP), WEB, and other ACH transaction types, including the creation and validation of associated files and reports.


• Process ACH returns, chargebacks, re-originations, and related exception transactions in accordance with department procedures and regulatory requirements.


• Perform research and analysis on returned and exception items to determine root cause and appropriate resolution.


• Make transaction decisions and execute corrective actions based on research findings and established guidelines.


• Investigate ACH exceptions, processing errors, rejects, and out-of-balance conditions utilizing multiple internal systems and reporting tools.


• Monitor ACH processing queues and ensure daily production deadlines and service-level expectations are met.


• Process Federal Notices of Change (NOCs), update customer information, and ensure required account maintenance is completed accurately and timely.


• Maintain and update tracking logs, spreadsheets, databases, and operational reports related to ACH processing activities.


• Generate and distribute client-specific reports and notifications as required by service agreements.


• Perform specialized processing functions for designated billers and clients, including unique procedures and workflows.


• Reconcile daily ACH activity and verify balancing of transaction totals between processing systems, settlement reports, and bank records.


• Record settlement offsets and provide supporting documentation for accounting and reconciliation purposes.


• Partner with Accounting, Service Support, Research, Banking Operations, and other departments to resolve discrepancies and processing issues.


• Identify trends, recurring issues, and process improvement opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and reduce processing risk.


• Maintain compliance with company policies, NACHA operating rules, banking regulations, and internal controls.


• Participate in cross-training initiatives and provide backup support for other ACH and payment-processing functions as business needs require.

Education & Experience

• College degree preferred; equivalent work experience in lieu of degree is acceptable.


• Minimum of two years of direct experience in banking operations, treasury management services, or enterprise payment processing (ACH, real-time payments such as Zelle® or FedNow®).


• Prior experience working with payment processing platforms, secure file transmissions, and payment risk management tools preferred.

Skills and Required Knowledge

• Strong understanding of ACH payment processing rules and NACHA Operating Rules.


• Familiarity with real-time payment platforms (e.g., Zelle®, FedNow®) and corresponding operational workflows.


• Knowledge of risk monitoring practices, dispute management procedures, and fraud prevention controls related to payment processing.


• Ability to interpret and apply payment system regulations and compliance standards.


• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally across business units and external partners.


• High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to maintain focus over extended periods.


• Proven ability to multitask, prioritize, and work independently in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.


• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; able to identify problems, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions independently.


• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to change, evolving technology, and new payment processing platforms.


• Desire and initiative to recommend process improvements and new approaches within established operational guidelines.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary offered is based on factors, including but not limited to, the job duties, required qualifications and relevant experience, and local market trends.


• Base Pay Range: $19.00-$24.00/hour


• The role may be eligible for bonus or incentives based on company and individual performance.


• Busey provides a competitive Total Rewards package in return for your time, talents, efforts and ultimately, results.


• Your personal and professional well-being- now and in the years to come- are important to us.


• Busey's Total Rewards include a competitive benefits package offering 401(k) match, profit sharing, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, company-paid life insurance and long-term disability, supplemental voluntary life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, wellness incentives and an employee assistance program.


• In addition, eligible associates may take advantage of pre-tax health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts.


• Visit Busey Total Rewards for more information.

Equal Opportunity

Busey values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strives to recruit, develop and retain individuals with exceptional talent. A team with diverse talent, working together, is essential to Busey's commitment of delivering service excellence. Busey is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets. Visit Busey.com/Careers to learn more about Busey's Equal Opportunity Employment.

Unsolicited Resumes

Busey Bank, and its subsidiaries, does not accept any liability for fees for resumes from recruiters or employment agencies ("Agency"), without a binding, written recruitment agreement between Busey and Agency describing the services and specific job openings ("Agreement"). Busey may consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the Agency, unless an Agreement is in place. Any email or verbal contact with any Busey associate is inadequate to create a binding agreement. Agencies without an Agreement are requested not to contact any associates of Busey with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Busey respectfully requests no phone calls or emails.

FirsTech Employment Opportunities

FirsTech offers diverse employment opportunities - both remote and onsite - in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. We strive to place talented applicants in positions that fit both their skillset and career goals. As part of FirsTech, we promise to provide challenges that both drive your career progression and allow opportunities for growth, while engaging you in an award-winning culture. As a subsidiary of Busey, FirsTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets. Visit Busey.Com/Careers to learn more about Equal Opportunity Employment, recruiting scam reminders, and other important applicant information. To request assistance or a reasonable accommodation in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]. FirsTech values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strives to recruit, develop and retain individuals with exceptional talent. A team with diverse talent, working together, is essential to FirsTech's commitment of delivering service excellence. FirsTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets. Visit Busey.com/Careers to learn more about FirsTech's Equal Opportunity Employment. Every day, our associates live Busey's core values, doing better business, building stronger relationships and creating thriving communities - while delivering meaningful value to shareholders.