Payroll: Frequently Asked Questions
Self-service with AC Data
General
• What is ACH?
• Is direct deposit a requirement of employment at Amherst College?
• Why does Amherst College want employees to use direct deposit?
• How does self-service protect my bank account information?
• I have just been rehired at Amherst College, how do I reactivate my direct deposit?
Bank and Account Information
• What information do I need to provide when adding a bank account?
• Can I deposit my pay to any bank?
• Can I deposit money into an account in another country?
• How many active direct deposit accounts can I have?
• How do I stop money going into one of my accounts?
• Can I stop money from going into one of my accounts for one pay cycle?
• How do I allocate my paycheck to different accounts?
• I set up a direct deposit account, but I am still getting a check for a portion of my pay?
• Why is there a link to a Five College Federal Credit Union form?
Timing
• How long will it take for my money to be deposited into my account?
• How will I know when my bank account is verified and has gone through the pre-note stage?
• How long will it take for any changes to amounts to become effective?
• What happens when I put an end date to stop using a bank account?
• When are the payrolls run?
• Where can I find a list of the pay cycles?
Pay stubs
• How do I view my pay stub on AC Data?
• When will my pay stub be available for viewing on AC Data?
• How long will my pay stubs be available on AC Data?
• What other pay information is available on AC Data?
• How do I access my pay information if I no longer work at Amherst College?
Taxes
Tax Status and Calculations
• How do I change my tax status or exemptions?
• How do I calculate my Federal tax allowance?
• What is ACH?
It stands for Automated Clearing House, which is an electronic network for financial transactions in the United States.
• Is direct deposit a requirement of employment at Amherst College?
All new employees are required to have direct deposit. HR will direct employees to enter their banking information via AC Data. Payroll will follow up if the information is not completed.
• Why does Amherst College want employees to use direct deposit?
Close to 90% of Amherst College employees use direct deposit. It is a fast and secure way to get to your wages. The risk of losing your check or information falling into the wrong hands is greatly reduced.
• How does self-service protect my bank account information?
Self-Service Banking Information financial account numbers are encrypted at rest. Security notifications are sent to your Amherst email address when payroll direct deposit or refund/reimbursement/payment bank account information is changed.
• How do I sign up for, or change, my direct deposit?
Direct deposit accounts can be added or changed on AC Data. Instructions can be found here.
• What information do I need to provide when adding a bank account?
The routing number and account number are required to set up a direct deposit account.
• I have just been rehired at Amherst College, how do I reactivate my direct deposit?
You will need to re-enter your bank account information as a new account.
• Can I deposit my pay to any bank?
You may have your pay deposited to most U.S. banking institutions. Please check with your bank to be sure they can accept an ACH file.
• Can I deposit money into an account in another country?
No, direct deposit is only available for financial institutions located in the United States.
• How many active direct deposit accounts can I have?
There currently is no limit to the number of accounts, but it should be manageable. The more accounts you have, the more confusing it can be.
• How do I stop money going into one of my accounts?
You will need to put an end date on the account and then add the account back in later.
• Can I stop money from going into one of my accounts for one pay cycle?
You will need to put an end date on the account and then add the account back in later.
• How do I allocate my paycheck to different accounts?
Everyone needs at least one bank account where the ‘Balance’ of their paycheck gets directed. Specific dollar amounts can be allocated to additional bank accounts.
• I set up a direct deposit account, but I am still getting a check for a portion of my pay?
Check the amount that you assigned to each account. The balance amount of your paycheck needs to be assigned to one of the accounts. If not, a check will be printed for any unassigned amount.
• Why is there a link to a Five College Federal Credit Union form?
A separate form is required if you would like to split your deposit into multiple accounts at the Five College Federal Credit Union. The form will need to be printed out and submitted directly to Credit Union as it is their requirement and not a requirement of the College.
• How long will it take for my money to be deposited into my account?
All new account information must first be sent to your bank to be verified. It generally takes 10 days for this process which is called a pre-note. When the account information is verified (usually by the next pay) your pay will go directly into your account.
• How will I know when my bank account is verified and has gone through the pre-note stage?
Once the account has been sent to ACH for pre-note, the status will change on the Self-Service Banking screen to ‘Verified’. If there is a problem someone from the Payroll Office will contact you.
• How long will it take for any changes to amounts to become effective?
Changes to the amounts are effective immediately. They will be reflected in the deposits for the next payroll following the change – provided that they were entered before the payroll was run.
• What happens when I put an end date to stop using a bank account?
Entering an end date will remove the associated bank account information on the date entered. If a payroll is run after that date the bank account information will not be included. If no new bank account information is included then a paper check will be issued.
• When are the payrolls run?
Running the payroll means preparing it for the “pay date”. Payrolls are run at different times depending on the pay cycle. Weekly payroll runs on Wednesdays and every other Wednesday for the bi-weekly payroll. The monthly payroll varies by month and is generally run around the 3rd Friday of the month. This can vary due to holidays.
• Where can I find a list of the pay cycles?
Pay dates for the employee payrolls can be found here and student payrolls here.
• How do I view my pay stub on AC Data?
Follow the simple steps listed here.
• When will my pay stub be available for viewing on AC Data?
One day before the check date.
• How long will my pay stubs be available on AC Data?
Three years.
• What other pay information is available on AC Data?
Tax status, leave plans, and pay rate.
• How do I access my pay information if I no longer work at Amherst College?
Contact the payroll office at 542-2813 and they can send you the necessary information.
• How do I change my tax status or exemptions?
Complete IRS Form W-4 for Federal taxes.
Complete Massachusetts Form M-4 for state taxes.
• How do I calculate what my Federal tax allowance should be?
Use the IRS Withholding Calculator.
Reference IRS publication 919 Adjusting Tax Withholding.