Decide what belongs in the commission basis

Inventory the item types before the amounts

Read the unique category and item labels in the export. Group them into understood services, understood retail, and items needing a decision. This small inventory often finds a new fee or payment type that would otherwise inherit a default service rate.

For each uncertain type, identify what the line represents and who can confirm the supplied arrangement. A payment method, tip and service price can all be positive money values while serving different purposes. Keep an item-specific decision instead of relying on the sign of the amount.

Build a bridge from the basket to the commission

This fictional basket uses a supplied arrangement of 40% on services and 10% on retail, both after the tax explicitly supplied on those rows. The tip and fee are outside this example’s commission basis. Their tax or entitlement treatment is not determined by this worksheet.

Explain why the source total is larger

The $300.00 source total bridges to $275.00 of included gross sales after removing the $20.00 tip and $5.00 fee. Removing $25.00 of supplied tax leaves the $250.00 commission basis. Applying the two category rates produces $85.00.

Keep these steps separate. If someone compares $85.00 with 40% of $300.00, the problem is the comparison: it uses all categories, ignores the retail rate and uses a different basis. A clear bridge avoids a dispute about arithmetic when the inputs are actually different.

An exclusion needs a reason of its own

Record the original description, source reference, decision, confirming person or document, and the reason the item is outside this calculation. “Not a service” is more useful when followed by “separate tip record; handled in the separate tip process.” The note should point to the relevant process without exposing unnecessary personal details.

Do not use a zero commission result as evidence that no payment is due to anybody. The worksheet only applies the inputs you supply. Resolve employment arrangements and other obligations through the appropriate process, then let the calculation reflect that decision.

Avoid a default category that quietly changes meaning

Trimsum recognises service and retail categories. Other categories need review; they do not become eligible merely because a percentage exists for the staff member. If you import a file without a category column using one default category, first confirm that every imported row actually belongs in that category.

Keep the original export intact and prepare a reviewed copy when necessary. Record exclusions in the workspace where possible. Filtering items out before import should leave a separate reconciliation schedule showing what was omitted, so the reduced total remains explainable.

1. List distinct source categories.
2. Check unfamiliar labels against their underlying records.
3. Record included and excluded totals.
4. Compare the prepared file with the original export before closing.

Revisit new items each period

A repeatable close still needs a check for new labels. A product rename may be harmless; a new package, fee or tip export field may change the meaning of a row. Compare the current category inventory with the previous period rather than copying an old total adjustment.

The finished record should show the original source total, included sales, excluded items, supplied tax and commission by category. Keep unresolved items visible until their treatment is confirmed. That gives the next reviewer a concrete question instead of an unexplained difference.