Check Processing Software for Remote Deposit Capture
Transform paper checks into structured digital data with AI-powered check OCR. Extract routing numbers, account numbers, amounts, and payee information in seconds—ready for import into QuickBooks, Xero, or any accounting system.
Damin MuttiWhat is Check Processing Software?
Check processing software uses optical character recognition (OCR) and artificial intelligence to extract data from check images. Instead of manually typing check information into spreadsheets or accounting systems, you upload a photo or scan of the check and receive structured data—routing numbers, account numbers, amounts, dates, payee names—in seconds.
Traditional remote deposit capture (RDC) focuses on depositing checks electronically by sending images to your bank. Zera Books extends this concept by extracting the accounting data you need for bookkeeping, reconciliation, and financial reporting. Process the check image once, use the data for your books, then deposit through your bank's normal RDC channels.
For accountants, bookkeepers, and businesses that receive check payments, this eliminates one of the most tedious manual data entry tasks. Whether you're processing client payments, vendor refunds, or customer deposits, check scanner software with AI-powered OCR dramatically reduces processing time while improving accuracy.
How Check OCR Differs from Bank RDC
Bank remote deposit capture deposits funds. Zera Books check OCR extracts structured data for your accounting records. Use both: capture the data with Zera Books, deposit the check with your bank. Together, you eliminate manual entry from your entire check workflow.
Data Extracted from Every Check
Zera AI reads both the MICR line and the visible check fields, extracting all information needed for accounting and reconciliation.
Routing Number
The 9-digit ABA routing transit number identifying the bank
Account Number
The account number from the MICR line
Check Number
Unique check number for tracking and reconciliation
Date
Check date for proper period recording
Amount
Check amount in both numeric and written form
Payee
The person or business the check is made out to
Payer/Drawer
The account holder who wrote the check
Memo Line
Optional memo or reference information
How Check Processing Works with Zera Books
From check image to structured data in four simple steps. No technical expertise required.
Upload Check Images
Upload check images in any format—PDF, JPG, PNG, or scanned documents. Process individual checks or batch upload multiple checks at once.
AI-Powered Data Extraction
Zera AI reads the MICR line using advanced OCR, extracting routing numbers, account numbers, amounts, dates, and more with 99.6% accuracy.
Review and Edit
Review extracted data in an organized table. Make any necessary edits before export. Handwritten fields are flagged for quick verification.
Export to Accounting Software
Download your check data as Excel or CSV. Import directly into QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, or any accounting platform for reconciliation.
Understanding the MICR Line
The MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line at the bottom of every check contains encoded banking information that Zera AI reads with 99.6% accuracy.
Example MICR line showing routing number, account number, and check number
Routing Number
The first 9 digits identify the bank. This ABA routing transit number is used for ACH transfers and wire payments.
Account Number
Following the routing number, this identifies the specific account. Length varies by bank.
Check Number
The final segment typically contains the check number for tracking and reconciliation.
Transaction Code
Some checks include a transaction code indicating the check type (personal, business, etc.).
Why MICR matters for check processing: The MICR line is printed in a standardized E-13B or CMC-7 font designed specifically for machine reading. While the handwritten portions of checks can be challenging to read, MICR data is highly reliable and enables accurate routing number, account number, and check number extraction.
Why Choose Zera Books for Check Processing
Purpose-built check OCR that integrates seamlessly with your accounting workflow.
10-Second Processing
Extract data from check images in under 10 seconds. No waiting in queues or delays during high-volume periods.
99.6% OCR Accuracy
Zera AI achieves 99.6% accuracy on MICR line reading and check data extraction, reducing manual corrections.
Zero Data Retention
Check images are deleted immediately after processing. Your financial data never sits on our servers.
Batch Processing
Upload multiple checks at once. Process an entire day or week of checks in a single batch.
Accounting Integration
Export formats compatible with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, and other major accounting platforms.
Bank-Level Security
Enterprise-grade encryption protects your check data during upload, processing, and download.
Check Processing Use Cases
From accounting firms to property managers, Zera Books check processing serves professionals who need accurate check data extraction.
Accounting Firms
Process client check images for accounts receivable tracking, payment verification, and audit documentation without manual data entry.
- Batch process client checks
- Accurate MICR line reading
- Export for client books
Small Businesses
Convert received checks into structured data for deposit tracking, accounts receivable, and cash flow management.
- Track incoming payments
- Reduce data entry time
- Maintain digital records
Retail & Service Businesses
Process customer checks quickly for daily reconciliation and deposit preparation without retyping amounts.
- Daily batch processing
- Speed up reconciliation
- Reduce errors
Property Management
Handle tenant rent checks efficiently by extracting payment data for property accounting and tenant ledgers.
- Tenant payment tracking
- Property-level reporting
- Simplified bookkeeping
Construction & Contractors
Process client payments and subcontractor checks for job costing and project-level accounting.
- Project payment tracking
- Vendor check records
- Job costing integration
Nonprofit Organizations
Process donation checks and grant payments with accurate data extraction for donor management and grant reporting.
- Donor check tracking
- Grant payment records
- Audit-ready exports
"We were drowning in bank statements from two provinces and multiple revenue streams. Zera Books cut our month-end reconciliation from three days to about four hours."
Manroop Gill
Co-Founder at Zoom Books
Complete Financial Document Processing
Check processing is one part of Zera Books' comprehensive document extraction platform.
Check Processing
- Extract routing, account, and check numbers
- Read amounts, dates, and payee names
- Batch process multiple checks at once
- Export for accounts receivable tracking
Bank Statement Processing
- Convert PDFs to Excel/CSV
- Extract all transactions with categories
- Zera AI trained on millions of documents
- Direct import to accounting software
One platform for all your financial document processing needs. Unlimited conversions at $79/month.
Frequently Asked Questions About Check Processing
Everything you need to know about check OCR, MICR reading, and remote deposit capture.
What is remote deposit capture?
Remote deposit capture (RDC) allows businesses to deposit checks electronically by scanning or photographing them, rather than physically visiting a bank. While traditional RDC focuses on depositing funds, Zera Books extends this concept by extracting structured data from check images for accounting and bookkeeping purposes. You capture the check data, then deposit the check through your bank's RDC system.
What data can Zera Books extract from checks?
Zera Books extracts all key data points from check images: routing numbers (9-digit ABA numbers), account numbers, check numbers, payee names, payer/drawer names, check dates, amounts (both numeric and written), and memo line content. This structured data exports to Excel or CSV for import into your accounting software.
How does check OCR work?
Check OCR (Optical Character Recognition) uses AI to read the printed and handwritten content on check images. Zera AI is specifically trained on financial documents, including the MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line at the bottom of checks. Our OCR reads the E-13B font used in MICR lines with high accuracy, then extracts the date, amount, payee, and other handwritten or printed fields.
Does Zera Books handle handwritten checks?
Yes. Zera AI processes both printed and handwritten check data. The MICR line is always printed, so routing, account, and check numbers are extracted with high accuracy. For handwritten fields like amounts, dates, and payee names, our AI handles most legible handwriting. Illegible or uncertain fields are flagged for manual review.
Can I process multiple checks at once?
Absolutely. Zera Books supports batch check processing. Upload a multi-page PDF containing multiple check images, or upload several individual image files. Each check is processed separately, and all extracted data appears in a single organized export file with one row per check.
What file formats work for check uploads?
We accept PDF, JPG, PNG, HEIC, and most common image formats. Scanned documents work well, as do mobile phone photos taken with adequate lighting. For best results, ensure the entire check is visible and the MICR line at the bottom is clearly legible.
Is my check data secure?
Yes. Zera Books uses bank-level encryption for all uploads and processing. Critically, we delete your check images immediately after extraction—your financial documents never persist on our servers. This zero-retention policy addresses compliance and privacy concerns for sensitive financial data.
How accurate is MICR line reading?
Zera AI achieves 99.6% accuracy on MICR line data extraction. The MICR line uses standardized E-13B or CMC-7 fonts designed for machine reading, which our AI handles reliably. Routing numbers, account numbers, and check numbers are extracted with very high precision.
Can I export check data to QuickBooks or Xero?
Yes. Zera Books exports check data in CSV and Excel formats compatible with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, and other accounting platforms. You can import the extracted data for accounts receivable tracking, payment recording, and reconciliation workflows.
What's the difference between check processing and check scanning software?
Check scanning software typically captures check images for deposit. Check processing software like Zera Books goes further by extracting structured data—amounts, dates, payee names, routing numbers—from those images. This data powers accounting workflows, while the scanned image is used for bank deposits.
Start Processing Checks Today
Join accountants and businesses who've eliminated manual check data entry with Zera Books. Extract routing numbers, amounts, and payee information in seconds.
$79/month unlimited processing - Cancel anytime - Zero data retention