# ABA file downloads

Australian Banking Association (ABA) file format, sometimes called Direct Entry or Cemtext, is commonly used by Australian Banks to process batch transactions. An ABA file (\*.aba) uses the ASCII character encoding to store data which can be uploaded into the Internet Banking systems.

The Advanced and Ultimate editions of seSQue Payroll can generate these files for you from your lodged pay runs. This functionality can be enabled from the *Business* settings section. `Edit` your business record and look for the `Generate payment files` toggle in the *General* tab page:

{% hint style="info" %}
Before enabling this feature make sure your payroll bank account is defined in the *Banking* tab. If not present, add it and `Save` before turning the toggle ON.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://2379102928-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lrq9oeKSkBYyajIcEKm%2Fuploads%2FKNDFLesdwUpY0c20UHMl%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a3b9fb91-ffb2-4aba-b72e-fce50b3edf0b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Turn the toggle ON, fill in the details as advised by your financial institution and  `Save` when done:

{% hint style="info" %}
Some Australian banks provide generic APCA (Australian Payments Clearing Association) ID numbers you can use when submitting ABA files:

* ANZ - `000000`
* CBA - `301500`
* NAB - `000000`
* Westpac - `037819`

You should always confirm with your bank, as they may provide a specific APCA ID (sometimes called a Direct Entry User ID) unique to your business.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://2379102928-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lrq9oeKSkBYyajIcEKm%2Fuploads%2FmyywTzEyw7X0F7QP9n5B%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=0607c7c9-15fc-43ed-a646-abb6e248771b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Then move on to your *Payees* and ensure you have their bank account details recorded:

<figure><img src="https://2379102928-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lrq9oeKSkBYyajIcEKm%2Fuploads%2FgQqniNHSvJ33Xp750cUQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7278713a-2b97-4a57-aeff-44620f185c80" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

And finally, go to *Pay runs* and look for the `Download ABA file` button on your lodged pay runs:

<figure><img src="https://2379102928-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lrq9oeKSkBYyajIcEKm%2Fuploads%2FmrV6Qb30nKrxCLJBnKiz%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=805ccd26-32d6-4855-8dbb-36b43bc73d01" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

A generated ABA file will look similar to this:

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that this sample file does not contain a self-balancing transaction.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://2379102928-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-Lrq9oeKSkBYyajIcEKm%2Fuploads%2FdY0AaBb0h4sWI8FAhvxB%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6ee362ea-0ba3-432a-84da-12c77fd0461c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The transaction description that appears on your own bank statement will follow this format:\
`PAYROLL<PayDate><PayCycle>`

For example, for a monthly pay run with a pay date of 4 January, the description will be `PAYROLL0401M`.

Your employees will see the following transaction description on their bank statements:\
`SALARY <PayeeNumber>`

For example, for an employee with the number EMP00001, the description will be `SALARY EMP00001`.