ACH Audit & Risk Assessment
ACH Audit & Risk Assessment is an independent evaluation of your Automated Clearing House (ACH) operations, controls, and compliance with NACHA Operating Rules—required by banks, payment processors, and financial regulators.
If you operate: ACH origination, payment processing, payroll services, third-party payment facilitation, or any business that initiates ACH transactions
What Is an ACH Audit & Risk Assessment?
ACH Audit & Risk Assessment provides:
- Independent evaluation of ACH operations
- NACHA Operating Rules compliance verification
- Risk and control effectiveness assessment
- Third-party sender oversight review
- Financial institution agreement compliance
- Fraud prevention and security validation
- Remediation roadmap for deficiencies
Critical compliance tool for:
- ACH Originators (ODFIs)
- Third-Party Senders (TPSs)
- Third-Party Service Providers (TPSPs)
- Payroll processors
- Payment facilitators
- FinTech platforms with ACH
Who Needs an ACH Audit?
NACHA Regulatory Requirement
NACHA Operating Rules require:
- Annual independent audit for ACH Originators
- Third-party sender risk assessments
- TPSP due diligence and monitoring
- Documented compliance programs
- Control validation and testing
Financial Institution Requirements
Your ODFI (bank) requires:
- Annual ACH audit report
- NACHA compliance certification
- Third-party sender oversight evidence
- Risk assessment documentation
- Control testing results
Without audit:
- Bank relationship termination risk
- ACH origination rights revoked
- Business operations halted
Payment Processor Requirements
Processors demand:
- Current ACH audit (within 12 months)
- Clean audit findings
- Control deficiency remediation
- Ongoing compliance evidence
Risk Management & Due Diligence
Internal needs:
- Identify operational vulnerabilities
- Prevent fraud and unauthorized debits
- Reduce return rates and exceptions
- Avoid NACHA fines and penalties
Protect reputation and relationships
Third-Party Sender Oversight
If you use Third-Party Senders:
- NACHA requires TPS oversight
- Due diligence before onboarding
- Annual risk assessments
- Ongoing monitoring
- Audit trail documentation
3.Control Effectiveness Testing
We assess whether your geolocation controls:
- Function consistently across platforms
- Properly flag restricted jurisdictions
- Generate audit trails
- Integrate with compliance escalation processes
Testing results are documented for compliance and examination purposes
NACHA Operating Rules Overview
Key Rule Categories
Authorization & Consent
- Proper authorization for debits
- Written authorization retention
- Consumer disclosure requirements
- Revocation procedures
Risk Management
- ACH security rules
- Fraud detection programs
- Returns and exceptions monitoring
- Risk assessment requirements
Third-Party Sender Rules
- Due diligence requirements
- Annual risk assessments
- Ongoing monitoring obligations
- Termination procedures
Data Security
- PII protection standards
- Encryption requirements
- Access controls
- Incident response
Returns & Exceptions
- Return timeframes
- Unauthorized return handling
- Exception processing
- Administrative return codes
What We Audit
- ACH Origination Controls
- Risk Management Program
- Third-Party Sender Oversight
- Authorization & Consumer Compliance
- Returns & Exception Management
- Financial Institution Agreement Compliance
- Policies & Procedures
