How Do I Split An Employee's Pay Across Multiple Bank Accounts?

Lightning Payroll supports paying an employee into more than one bank account. You set a Default Account (which always receives the remainder of net pay) and any number of Additional Accounts (each with a fixed dollar amount that is paid first).

In the desktop app

1. Open the employee and go to Employees >> Details >> Bank Accounts.
2. The Default Account section shows the account that receives whatever is left after all additional accounts are paid. Enter the account details there if you have not already done so.
3. Under Additional Accounts, add each extra account and enter a fixed Amount for that account. The amount is deducted from the employee's net pay first; the remainder goes to the default account.
4. Use the up and down arrow buttons in the table to change the order in which additional accounts are paid.
5. Save the employee record.

The Priority column shows Default for the default account and a number for each additional account. Any amount you enter against the default account is ignored ÔÇö it always receives the remainder.

In the online (web/mobile) app

1. Open the employee and select Details >> Bank Accounts.
2. The Default Account section explains that all pay goes to the default account unless additional accounts are defined. The remainder always goes there.
3. Under Additional Accounts, add an extra account. Fill in the account details and enter a fixed Amount.
4. Use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to change the priority order of additional accounts.
5. Changes save automatically when you add, edit, delete, or reorder an account.

If a fixed Amount is entered on the default account itself, the app will warn you that it is ignored ÔÇö the default account always receives the remainder, not a fixed amount.

Field reference (AU)

• Account Name ÔÇö a label for your reference.
• BSB ÔÇö 6-digit BSB number.
• Account Number ÔÇö the bank account number.
• Amount ÔÇö the fixed dollar amount to pay into this account each pay run (additional accounts only).
• Alt. Transaction Reference ÔÇö an optional reference that appears on the employee's bank statement instead of the default payroll reference.

Portal-owned accounts

If the employee has been granted permission to manage their own bank accounts through the employee portal, the Bank Accounts tab will be locked in both the desktop and online apps. To make changes on the employee's behalf, you must first disable that permission or use the portal refresh option. See also: Why Are Employee Details or Bank Account Changes Not Saving?

For NZ bank account number format requirements, see What Format Should I Use For An Employee's Bank Account Number?