Check Format

The Check Format option of the Configuration Properties screen is used to control the printing of the data onto the checks. The default check design is in the stub, check, stub format with only one copy printed, however, additional copies of each check can be printed automatically by changing the default setting in the Copies field. Checks can also be set up to print in alphabetical order or in order of the vendor number or employee number.

If you are a new AccuBuild user, your existing checks may be compatible with the AccuBuild program depending on the pre-printed format of the check. AccuBuild may be configured to print on laser checks in the standard stub, check, stub format or in the check, stub, stub format (see Alternate Check Format below). If your checks only contain one stub, then be sure to disable the Bottom Stub print option(s) located in the Payroll Checks and Vendor Checks section of the screen.

•MAR - The following check formats are found in the Reports > All Reports > Payroll Forms or Accounts Payable Forms. Each format is customizable but be sure to read the documentation on MAR before attempting to customize any form or report.

A/P Checks - Prints a maximum of 30 invoices on a stub. With the Traditional Checks, the stub will be blank if there is more than 30 invoices. With MAR checks, the stub will not be blank; you must pay careful attention to include a Remittance Statement with your payment to make sure that the check is applied properly to your account.

Payee Name - If your current style of checks requires the employee name or vendor name to be printed by itself on the face of the check, then the MAR format can be customized for this purpose. The traditional format of the checks only prints the payee name and address as a single block of text on the check, and does not allow for the name to be reprinted separately.

The Auto Check Settings are used to control the printing of the non-stub portion of the check. The Default Check Layout Format option may be tested first to determine if these settings are compatible with your check. If the default settings need to be adjusted, then select the Custom Check Layout option.

Default Check Format (Stub, Check, Stub)
Field	Row	Column
Check Number.: Desc	23	61
Date Format	25	49
Check Amount (Numeric)	25	64
Check Amount (Literals)	28	6
Payee's Name & Address	30	9
Check Memo Information	25	6
Top Stub Adjust	0
Bottom Stub Adjust	-2

If the custom option is selected, then the first field that can be modified is the Check Number field. The check number can have an optional label that will print just before the check number. AccuBuild will automatically define the Check Number:Desc label as 'CONTROL NO'. You can change this description, or you can simply delete the description to eliminate any label from printing in conjunction with the check number. The check number is printed on each check as a means to verify that the system check number (the check number as recorded by AccuBuild) matches the pre-printed check number. In addition to changing the check number label, you can specify which row and column that you want the check number to print on.

The Date Format option allows you to select either MMM DD, YYYY or MM/DD/YY, as the format in which the date will print on the check. The first format uses twelve spaces on the check while the second format uses only up to eight spaces. On some checks, the date field is enclosed by a box and only the MM/DD/YY format will fit the space. In addition to the date format, you can also specify the date field position on the check via the row and column fields.

The remainder of the check fields do not allow for any format changes other than the row and column positions. The remaining fields are the 'Check Amount (Numeric)', the 'Check Amount (Literals)' (the check amount is spelled out), and the 'Payee's Name & Address'.

Please note that the payee's name may not be printed separately from the payee's address. In some cases, the Check Memo Information field can be used to print the name of the vendor. This data comes from the client database utilizing the Account/Check Memo Info field. Typically, this field is used for the account information for your vendor but it can be temporarily used for the vendor's name if you need to use up old check stock. Note that the employee database does NOT have the same field so it cannot be used for payroll checks.

AccuBuild will default the check stubs to print with the Letter Gothic font but depending on the laser printer used, the stubs may not print properly with the default font. As not every printer contains the same fonts, select the Change Check Stub Font button to list all true type fonts found for the default printer. True type fonts are fonts that print the same as they appear on the screen. Select an alternate font and try printing a check with the new font to adjust the look of the stub.

Checks may also be printed with the check at the top of the page with the two check stubs printed below. In order to configure the system for this style of check, the Custom Check Layout option must be selected. The Top Stub Adjustment fields of both the payroll and vendor checks must be adjusted to a row that would print in the middle of the page. In addition, all of the rows in the Custom Check Layout Fields would be adjusted to print at the top of the page. Remember, the single settings are used for both the payroll and vendor checks. Please refer to the following table for an example of the settings to be used for this check style.

Alternate Check Format (Check, Stub, Stub)
Field	Row	Column
Check Number.: Desc	3	61
Date Format	5	49
Check Amount (Numeric)	5	64
Check Amount (Literals)	8	6
Payee's Name & Address	10	9
Check Memo Information	5	6
Top Stub Adjust	18
Bottom Stub Adjust	-4