Answer
The quickest and most accurate way to make bulk payments through Lightning Payroll is by using a Direct Entry (.ABA) file.
These files can be generated for pays and for super and then uploaded to most Australian banks, resulting in an automated, batch funds transfer. This means you can pay multiple employees at once or multiple super funds at once.
To create a direct entry file for Pays click Pays >> Direct Entry.
To create a direct entry file for Super click the Direct Entry button after sending Superstream messages within:
- Super Fund Deposits >> Superstream Contribution >> Superstream Summary
- Super Fund Deposits >> Create Deposits >> Superstream Summary
- Super Fund Deposits >> Superstream Mailbox >> Direct Entry (at the bottom). This is where you can recreate a direct entry at a later time, should you need to.
If you need to regenerate a Direct Entry file, please refer to our guide here: How do I regenerate an ABA Direct Entry file?
Your bank should be able to guide you through the process of importing a direct entry file, but to help get you started we've rounded up some direct entry instructions for the most common banks. These instructions may change and are current as at March 2016. Please contact your financial institution for the most up-to-date instructions.
NAB Connect Instructions - (1300 888 413)
Westpac Instructions - (1300 655 505)
CBA CommBiz Instructions - (13 23 39)
ANZ Instructions - (13 33 50)
User IDs
When creating a payment file you may be prompted for a User ID, which belongs under Company >> Bank Account >> User ID. This is always a six digit number. For most major banks (ANZ, Westpac, NAB) it is six zeroes (000000). For CBA it is 301500. For any other financial institution you will need to contact them and ask for the Direct entry User ID, or APCA ID.