Lauren Hall thought she left flashcards behind with elementary school. But using flashcards proved useful for studying during an intensive, new endeavor she took on alongside two other INB staff.
Lauren, Nathan Van Zele, and Ashley Pond recently earned their designation of Accredited ACH Professional (AAP), giving them a new level of expertise on ACH transactions, rules and guidelines.
“We took about 20 weeks of 2-hour virtual classes together,” Lauren says. “Along with flash cards, I also read the entire rule book on my own time, clocking in more than 120 hours of study over 8 months.”
Ashley estimates that she spent 6 to 10 hours a week reading the rule book, working with flashcards, and taking practice exams to gain a deep understanding of the material.
“I even started to listen to podcasts that talked about the ACH network and current trends in the industry,” she says.
The commitment was quite intensive, Nathan says.
“We started our journey in March 2024 and met weekly together to study and attend webinars aimed at preparing for the exam,” he shares.
And we’re thrilled to say each one passed the exam and achieved this prestigious designation!
What exactly is ACH and how does it affect your banking?
It might seem mundane at first, but all of this behind-the-scenes info is important to know when it comes time for you to move money!
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, which is a system that allows for electronic funds transfers and online payments. Payments are made online, and funds are electronically deposited into financial institutions.
You’ve probably heard of “wiring money” before (especially if you read suspense novels!). A wire transfer has long been a popular way to transfer funds, but ACH works differently than a wire. Wire transfers are in real time, but ACH payments are processed in batches; ACH is also less expensive, so you can save on fees.
The Benefits of Having an Accredited ACH Professional
Not only is having three AAPs on staff beneficial to ACH auditors, but also to INB clients.
“I can better assist INB clients with ACH activity in my day-to-day, and I am also able to educate INB clients and help with troubleshooting if they need it,” Lauren says.
Nathan adds: “It is important for INB to have staff with the AAP designation to build credibility and trust with customers, showing we have the knowledge to successfully navigate the world of ACH and its laws efficiently.”
Ashley notes that her day-to-day duties primarily focus on ACH Operations, and one of her main tasks is to work with commercial clients to ensure that their files are processed accurately. She’s already seeing her efforts pay off.
“I’ve learned a lot from my mentors and various training sessions since I’ve worked in ACH Operations, but obtaining my AAP has proven to me that there is so much more to know than you might see on the job. I’ve already been able to apply what I now know to think through scenarios on a higher level and more completely,” Ashley says.