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Set Up ABA Files for Bank Payments

ABA (Australian Bankers' Association) files are the standard format for processing direct credit payments through Australian banks. Myaccountant can generate ABA files from your pay runs, which you then upload to your bank's internet banking portal to pay employees.

Prerequisites​

  • Your business bank account details (BSB, account number, account name).
  • Your bank's Direct Entry User ID (also called APCA ID or DE User ID) — contact your bank if you do not have this.

Steps to Configure ABA File Settings​

  1. Navigate to Settings > Bank Details.
  2. Enter your business bank account details:
    • BSB — the 6-digit bank/branch code.
    • Account Number — your business bank account number.
    • Account Name — the name on the bank account.
  3. Enter your Direct Entry User ID (typically a 6-digit number provided by your bank).
  4. Enter the Bank Name (e.g. Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac, NAB).
  5. Click Save.

Generating an ABA File from a Pay Run​

  1. Navigate to Payroll > Pay Runs and open a finalised pay run.
  2. Click the ABA File button (or find it under Actions > Download ABA File).
  3. The ABA file will be generated and downloaded to your computer.
  4. Log in to your bank's internet banking portal.
  5. Navigate to the Payments > Batch Payments (or equivalent) section.
  6. Upload the ABA file.
  7. Review the payment details and authorise the batch payment.
tip

Ensure all employees have their bank account details (BSB, account number, account name) entered correctly under Payroll > Employees. Employees without bank details will be excluded from the ABA file.

Testing​

Before processing your first real payment, many banks allow you to upload a test ABA file to validate the format. Contact your bank for details on test file processing.