AcctVantage 2009.1.1.0 (released March 2010) introduces a new "Brokered Sales" feature. This process is also commonly referred to as "Commission Sales". The purpose of the feature is to allow the tracking and reporting of sales for both a "Principal" and an "End User". Manufacturer's Rep companies will use this feature extensively.

Principal Client is the actual customer that will be invoiced for the sold items. The principal is the client that will pay you for the invoiced amount. The invoiced amount is usually a commission or fee for brokering a sale to the End User on behalf of the Principal.

End User Client is the ultimate destination of the goods/services.

Entering a Brokered Sale

The Quote/Order/Invoice will use the Principal client as the main relation on the sale. when creating the new Quote/Order, enter the Principal's name on the order as if it were a normal, direct sale to the Principal.

On the Bill To/Ship To tab of the Quote/Order, you will see a new entry field for "End User". Key the End User client name here. When you do so, the Ship To address will automatically change to match the End User's default Ship To address. The Ship To Address selection tool will also display any alternate addresses on file for the End User client. Assigning the End User company on the Bill To/Ship To tab will allow you to track and report on this sale at both the Principal AND End User level. Cross-Referencing the Order to the Client list for example will result in BOTH client companies being found and presented.

The Bill To remains associated with the Principal company.

Entering Line Items on a Brokered Sale

Each line item can have both a Unit Price and a Brokered Price captured, along with appropriate extended values for each. The Brokered Price is used to indicate the price quoted to the End User. This price does not effect your accounting or invoicing in any way; it is there just to record the quoted/bid amount to the End User.

Note: To activate the Brokered Price column(s), you will need to go to Administration > System Configuration. On the Line Items tab, make the fields/columns visible and entereable via the Invoice Detail Column Editor (Edit Detail Column Configuration.)

The Unit Price is your actual revenue to be collected from the Principal for this line item. Just like a direct sale, the Unit Price drives your Invoice Amount and the posting to your sales general ledger accounts.

As of March 2010, there are no automated calculations for the Brokered Price or Unit Price based on a change in either value. This can be addressed case by case via scripting; contact your AcctVantage representative for details on adding scripted pricing.

Reporting Brokered Sales

A Custom Form template is available for an "Brokered Sale Document, End User". This is a Custom Form that can be modified as necessary. The form mirrors the standard AcctVantage Order/Invoice/Quote document with the following changes:

• Eliminate the "Bill To" area
• Present the Brokered Price and extensions instead of the Unit Price
• Calculate totals based on Brokered Price extensions

Download the "Brokered Sale Document, End User" here.

To install the Custom Form, go to Administration > Custom Forms. Use the Action Menu to Import the downloaded installer.

The Sales Analysis screen records carry new fields for Brokered Price and extensions for use in Quick Reporting.

The Credit Card Charges window is used to review and report on Credit Card transactions processed through the Receipts screen. Any authorization activity performed through AcctVantage via Authorize.net will be recorded here. An Action Menu item is provided to allow for reconciling transactions.

AcctVantage integrates with various shipping systems, which enables users to fulfill Orders without requiring any re-keying of data from Order Entry to Shipping. The systems that we operate with out-of-the-box are:

• FedEx Ship Manager - AcctVantage can be configured to work directly with FedEx Integrator (FXI).
• UPS WorldShip - AcctVantage can be configured to work directly with UPS World Ship.
• ReadyShipper from TrueShip -  ReadyShipper is available for either Windows or Mac OS. ReadyShipper supports UPS, FedEx, USPS, and others in a single application and supports multiple shipping stations. The integration is easily customizable to support various shipping workflows.
• StarShip from V-Technologies, LLC -  Starship is a Windows based multi-carrier shipping system with support for UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL and others.  
• NRGship from NRG Software, LLC -  NRGship is Mac based and our integration supports UPS shipping. FedEx and USPS integrations with AcctVantage are possible, but have not yet been addressed.

The systems above are third party applications that require a separate purchase. Contact AcctVantage Tech Support for more information on shipping integration.