Accounting Services Information Frequently Asked Questions

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General

1. What Accounting Information Services (AIS) offerings are available in the respective FedLine^® Solutions?

   Please see the 2023 FedLine Solutions Services Comparison Matrix (PDF).

2. What are the advantages of the AIS offerings?

   Advantages are:

   • The Account Management Information (AMI) application is available through FedLine Web^® and FedLine Advantage^® and is an instrumental tool in helping institutions manage and reconcile accounting information on a near real-time basis. AMI also enables financial institutions to review and reconcile monthly billing activity. Through AMI, Master Accounts can access near real-time account balance, Daylight Overdraft and available funds information. Master Accounts, Secondary RTNs (Subaccounts and OSRTNs) and Respondents can access the Account Activity’s drill down and search features to view near real-time, intraday account information, the daily Statement of Account, monthly billing activity and the monthly Statement of Service Charges. AMI is an excellent solution for all institutions.
   • CMS Plus files include transaction details and help financial institutions confirm and reconcile accounting transactions in a timely manner. Also, Master Accounts can receive the Intraday file with transaction details through a FedLine Direct or FedLine Command connection.
   • For institutions that reconcile their account the next business day, the end-of-day Statement of Account may provide the information needed. All institutions can receive the end-of-day Statement of Account in a print format via FedMail^® or in a PDF format via AMI.
   • Master Accounts can subscribe to receive the Financial Institution Reconcilement Data (FIRD) file and Master Accounts can subscribe to the Statement of Account Spreadsheet File (SASF). The FIRD and SASF also provide transaction details for Fedwire^® Funds and Fedwire Securities. The FIRD file is available via AMI and/or a FedLine Direct/FedLine Command connection, and the SASF is available via AMI.
   • The monthly Statement of Service Charges includes billing activity for your own institution, Secondary RTNs and Respondents. All institutions can receive the monthly Statement of Service Charges in print format via FedMail or in a PDF format via AMI.
   • Master Accounts can subscribe to receive the Service Charge Reconcilement Data (SCRD) File, which includes monthly billing activity in a machine readable format. The SCRD file is available via AMI and/or a FedLine Direct/FedLine Command connection.

Account Management Information

1. Who should have Account Management Information (AMI) access?

   Staff members who perform account management, cash management and accounting and billing reconcilement functions should have access to AMI.

2. How do I enroll in AMI Services?

   To subscribe to the AMI application via FedLine Web^®, you must complete an End User Authorization Contact (EUAC) form, if one is not already on file. In addition to the EUAC form, a Federal Reserve Bank External Subscriber Request Form must be submitted for each user. Please refer to the FedLine Web Setup page for further instructions.

3. Can a Respondent have access to real-time information via AMI?

   Yes, Respondents can access intraday drill-down and search inquiries as well as the end-of-day Statement of Account in AMI. Statements can also be received via FedMail^®.

4. What resources are available to assist with educating my staff on AMI and/or AIS Services?

   Reference guides will provide the institution with information that will assist them in understanding how to use the accounting tools to obtain account information. Reference guides available consist of:

   • AMI User Guide (AMI Home Page – need credential to access)
   • Account Management Guide

Cash Management Services

1. What is CMS Plus?

   CMS Plus is an intraday file that includes all transactions, excluding Fedwire^® Funds and Fedwire Securities, in spreadsheet format via the AMI application.

2. What are the benefits of CMS Plus?

   CMS Plus allows you to download, in Comma Separated Values (CSV) format, transaction details at the service category level, excluding Fedwire^® Funds and Fedwire Securities details. Using spreadsheet software, the data can be analyzed, shared or loaded into other back-end programs. You can use the files to streamline internal processes and methods to manage and reconcile Federal Reserve account transactions and confirm transactions with business units. You can also provisionally post transactions to your own account, Secondary RTNs and Respondents.

Intraday File - FedLine Direct/FedLine Command

1. What is the Intraday File?

   The Intraday file includes all transactions, excluding Fedwire^® Funds and Fedwire Securities, in a machine readable file available through a FedLine Direct^® or FedLine Command^® connection.

2. What are the benefits of using the Intraday file via FedLine Direct^® or FedLine Command^®?

   The intraday File is available to Master Accounts and designed to flow straight into internal accounting systems to make it easier for customers to reconcile accounting entries by presenting a consistent format and level of detail. You can use the files to streamline internal processes and methods to manage and reconcile Federal Reserve account transactions and confirm transactions with business units. You can also provisionally post transactions to your own account, Secondary RTNs and Respondents.

Financial Institution Reconcilement Data (FIRD) File – FedLine Direct/FedLine Command or AMI

1. What is the FIRD File?

   FIRD is a machine-readable Statement of Account Reconcilement file designated to flow straight into an institution's internal accounting system.

2. What are the advantages of subscribing to the FIRD file?

   The FIRD file allows institutions to streamline internal processes, improve and/or automate posting and reconcilement functions and gain efficiencies, such as the use of auto matching. The information provided on the reconcilement file is the same as that provided on the print display copy and also includes Fedwire^® Funds and Fedwire Securities details.

Statement of Account Spreadsheet File

1. What is the SASF?

   SASF provides your end of day statements using spreadsheet software.

2. What are the advantages of using the SASF?

   The institution can download and/or open the SASF in software such as Microsoft Excel, which allows the institution to streamline their reconcilement and posting functions.

Service Charges Reconcilement Data (SCRD) FedLine Direct/FedLine Command or AMI

1. What is the SCRD file?

   Service Charge Reconcilement Data (SCRD) file is a machine readable data file of the monthly billing statement.

2. What are the advantages of the SCRD file?

   The SCRD is in a machine readable format that allows the institution to automate the billing reconcilement function.

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