I am sorry but I do not understand what you mean with "checking access-lists".

If it is syntax then it is quite easy to actually make syntax guidelines and search and replace what youo need to change.

If it is the result of the adding of the access-list how do you want to test it ?

if it is that connections actually get through I tend to use Netcat and it is possible to do that via scriptiong.

however there are limits to what you can test in this way,

Simple tests are quite straight forward but more complex testing needs programming expertise.