Explain the difference between reported and calculated commission
A commission variance CSV with expected and source amounts, a consistent signed difference, supporting evidence and a fictional refund discrepancy.
A difference is a prompt to investigate, not proof that either calculation is wrong. This log puts the source-reported amount beside a calculation under explicitly supplied assumptions. It records the signed difference, the reason it arose and the reviewed outcome for each line.
The useful part
Use one convention throughout: difference equals calculated commission minus source-reported commission. Keep a missing source value distinct from zero.
Your working files
Download blank templateCSV · Column headings only. Add your own records to a copy.Download fictional exampleCSV · Completed sample records in AUD. Use for practice, not a live close.Compare like with like
Start with the same item, earning person, source date and category. Record the basis and rate used for your calculation so another reviewer can reproduce it. If the source uses a different rule, investigate that rule before deciding how to resolve the variance. Do not fill a blank source amount with zero just to produce a numerical result.
Keep the sign convention visible
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Variance ID / Reference / Sale date | Local review reference and original source line. |
| Staff / Category | Earning person and classification used in the comparison. |
| Basis AUD / Rate % | Supplied commission basis and percentage. |
| Calculated commission AUD | Your result using the recorded assumptions. |
| Source commission AUD | Reported source amount; blank if unavailable. |
| Difference AUD | Calculated minus reported; blank when a required value is unknown. |
| Explanation | Why the figures differ, or what still needs investigation. |
| Reviewer / Status | Who checked the case and whether it remains open. |
| Evidence reference | Source file, calculation instruction or reviewed decision. |
The sample difference comes from one refund
The fictional service and retail lines match at $80.00 and $3.00. The source reports $0.00 on the refund, while the supplied calculation gives −$40.00. Calculated commission totals $43.00 and source commission totals $83.00, so the signed difference is −$40.00. The explanation records the refund assumption rather than describing the entire source report as incorrect.
| Line | Calculated | Reported | Calculated − reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service | 80.00 | 80.00 | 0.00 |
| Retail | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0.00 |
| Refund | −40.00 | 0.00 | −40.00 |
| Total | 43.00 | 83.00 | −40.00 |
Work through the likely causes
A one-cent rounding difference and a missing refund are different problems. Keep the explanation specific enough that a later reviewer can tell which one occurred.
- Check whether both amounts use the same supplied tax basis.
- Check rates, item classification and earning staff attribution.
- Inspect discounts, refunds and rounding at the original line level.
- Record the agreed treatment and retain both original amounts.
Resolve without erasing the comparison
After review, retain the reported amount, calculated amount and original signed difference. Changing one side to make the difference disappear destroys the reason for the log. A confirmed outcome should point to the evidence for the chosen treatment; an unresolved outcome should name the missing evidence. This CSV is a supporting worksheet and does not apply decisions to an application automatically.
Put it to work.
Inspect the size and direction of a difference using supplied inputs.
Compare commission amounts