Interesting side note on this issue. I noticed today that, in sample data, when choosing the error account in the Edit>Banks screen in AP 9.3A (180201) it allows me to enter the expense account and when I tab to the department field it's blank and forces me to choose a department. So it doesn't default to the first available department like the invoice or check entry windows do. And the sample data has the validate option set to Account-Dept.

I checked the invoice and check entry again just to be sure this behaviour didn't change in the service pack. I knew it couldn't have been fixed that fast.

So the behaviour Steve and we are looking for already exists in that window. I didn't check any other set up fields in company profile defaults or the like. Just thought I'd point this out in case it means anything to R&D.