When to Use This
A rep has earned a commission increase based on performance
You need to adjust commission percentages for a specific rep
A rep is moving to a different tier in your commission structure
You need to change upfront pay amounts
Override percentages need to be updated
A temporary commission adjustment is needed for a promotion or incentive
Who Can Update Commission Rates
Updating commission rates requires admin-level access. If you're a manager without admin access, you'll need to contact your admin to make commission changes.
Before You Begin
Before updating a rep's commission, make sure you understand:
What the new rates should be for each product or commission type
When the changes should take effect (retroactively, immediately, or on a future date)
Whether the changes are permanent or temporary
If upfront pay or overrides are also changing
Having this information ready will make the process smoother.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Accessing the Rep's Profile
There are two ways to find the rep whose commission you need to update:
Option 1: Through User Management
Click the gear icon in the upper right corner.
Select "User Management." This opens a list of all users in the system.
Search for the rep you need to update. Type their name in the search bar.
Click on the rep's name. This opens their profile.
Option 2: Through the Management Tab
Click on "Management" in the left-hand menu.
Click on "Personnel." This shows all reps you have access to view.
Find and click on the rep's name. This opens their profile.
Starting the Commission Update
On the rep's profile, click "Update Employment Package" in the upper right area. This button opens the options for making changes to the rep's agreement.
Select "Update Commissions." This is the third option in the list.
Click "Proceed." This starts the commission update process.
Choosing When Changes Take Effect
Before making changes, you'll need to select when they should apply:
Review the four timing options:
Apply to all open sales (past and future) – The new commission rates will apply to all accounts, including ones already in the pipeline that haven't been paid yet
Apply immediately – The new rates take effect from today forward, but past accounts keep their original commission rates
Select a specific start date – The new rates take effect on a future date you choose
Temporary changes – Set both a start and end date for a temporary commission adjustment
Select the option that fits your situation. Think carefully about this choice, as it affects how commissions are calculated on existing accounts.
Click "Confirm."
Updating Commission Percentages
Now you'll go through each commission type and make your changes.
Review the current commission structure. The system shows you the rep's existing commission settings.
Update the base commission percentage. Enter the new percentage for the rep's primary commission rate.
Check the effective date. The system may ask you to confirm when this rate takes effect.
Click "Continue" to move to the next section.
Updating Product-Specific Commissions
If your company has different commission rates for different products, you'll update each one:
Review the first product's commission settings. You'll see the current rate and can enter the new rate.
Update the commission percentage for this product.
Click "Continue" to move to the next product.
Repeat for each product. The system will walk you through each product type that has commission settings.
Be thorough. Make sure you update all products that need changes. The system is designed to have you review each one individually to avoid missing anything.
Updating Upfront Pay
If the rep receives upfront payments (pay at time of sale before completion), you may need to update those as well:
Review the current upfront pay settings. You'll see how much the rep receives upfront for each product or sale type.
Update the upfront pay amounts if they're changing. Enter the new amounts.
Click "Continue" to proceed.
If upfront pay isn't changing, you can leave the values as they are and move forward.
Updating Override Percentages
If the rep earns overrides and those are changing:
Review the current override settings. You'll see the rep's override percentages by type (direct, indirect, office, etc.).
Update the override percentages as needed. Enter the new rates.
Click "Continue" to proceed.
If overrides aren't changing, leave them as they are.
Reviewing and Confirming Changes
Review the summary of all changes. The system will show you an audit of what's being updated, including:
Old commission rates vs. new rates
Old upfront pay vs. new amounts
Old override percentages vs. new rates
When the changes take effect
Verify everything is correct. Double-check that all the new rates are accurate and the timing is right.
Click "Save and Finish." The commission update is now complete.
Look for the green checkmark. This confirms the changes were saved successfully.
Understanding How Changes Apply
The timing option you select determines how the new commission rates affect existing and future accounts:
Apply to All Open Sales
All pending accounts are recalculated with the new rates
Future accounts use the new rates
This can change what the rep earns on accounts already in the pipeline
Apply Immediately
Only accounts sold from today forward use the new rates
Pending accounts from before today keep their original rates
Clean separation between old and new commission structures
Specific Start Date
Accounts sold on or after that date use the new rates
Accounts sold before that date keep their original rates
Useful when you know a change is coming but want to delay it
Temporary Changes
New rates apply only during the specified period
After the end date, rates automatically revert to previous levels
Great for temporary promotions or incentive periods
Tips and Common Mistakes
Double-check your math before starting. Know exactly what the new percentages should be before you begin the update process.
Choose the timing option carefully. Applying to all open sales can significantly change what a rep earns on pending accounts. Make sure that's what you intend.
Communicate changes to the rep. Let them know their commission structure has changed, what the new rates are, and when they take effect.
Review each product carefully. If you have multiple products with different rates, make sure you update each one correctly. Missing a product could cause unexpected pay issues.
Use temporary changes for incentives. If you're offering a temporary commission bump for a contest or promotion, use the temporary option so rates automatically revert when the period ends.
Check the rep's profile after saving. Go to their Commissions tab to verify the new rates are showing correctly.
Keep a record of changes. Note what was changed and why, in case questions come up later.
Consider the impact on payroll. If you apply changes to open sales, pending pay amounts may change. Make sure you're prepared for any differences in the next payroll.
What to Do Next
Now that you know how to update commission rates, explore these related topics:
Adding Manual Overrides – Add one-time overrides to specific accounts
Customizing Payroll Fields – Create custom fields for tracking additional pay items
Managing Employment Packages – Make comprehensive changes to rep agreements
Resigning a Rep – Create a new contract with updated terms
If you have questions about updating commission rates or need help with a specific situation, reach out to your admin or our support team and we'll be happy to assist!