A commission worksheet is where Rex works out who gets paid what on a sale. It takes the gross commission, subtracts the fees and expenses that come off the top, splits what is left between the agency and the agents involved, and gives you a figure you can invoice and pay against. It replaces the spreadsheet many agencies keep alongside the CRM, and because it lives in Rex the figures flow through to your reporting, your salesperson invoices, and Xero.
This article explains what a commission worksheet is, when you can create one, and how the three worksheet versions differ. For the steps to create one, see Financials & Commissions: Creating Commission Worksheets.
When Can I Create a Commission Worksheet?
A commission worksheet belongs to a listing, and it only becomes available once there is a contract or offer on that listing that has been accepted. Until then the option will not appear.
You will find worksheets on the listing record, under Finance Mode (the dollar symbol) on the Commissions tab.
⚠️ Please Note: Commission worksheets are available in both the United Kingdom and ANZ. Agent Sliding Scales, which can feed an agent's percentage into a worksheet, are available in Australia and New Zealand only.
How Does a Commission Worksheet Work?
Every version of the worksheet follows the same broad shape, working from the top line down to what the office keeps:
- Gross commission is established, either calculated for you from a commission structure or entered manually.
- Fees and expenses that come off the top are deducted, such as referral fees, franchise fees and marketing costs.
- What remains is distributed between the agents involved in the sale, along with any deductions that apply to them.
- The office summary shows what the agency is left with, which is whatever is left of the distributable commission once the agent amounts have been taken out.
If you have set up commission structures, step 1 happens automatically. See Financials & Commissions: Introduction to Commission Settings.
Which Worksheet Version Should I Use?
Rex offers three worksheet versions. All three share Step 1 (Gross Commissions), Step 2a (Referral Fees and Related Expenses), Step 2b (Franchise, Marketing and Related Fees) and a closing Office Commission Summary. They differ in how the middle section handles agent distribution:
| Version | How agent distribution works | Suits you if |
|---|---|---|
| Version 1 | A single Gross Commission Distribution and Deduction Allocation step, then a commission breakdown. You confirm each agent's role and the maximum percentage they can earn. | You want distribution and deductions handled together in one place. |
| Version 2 | Includes an Award Allocation step before the agent commission breakdown. | Your agency splits an agent pool by award allocation. |
| Version 3 | An Agent Distributions and Deductions step, followed by a separate Post-Distribution Deductions step. No award allocation section. | You want deductions that apply after the agent has been given their share kept separate. |
You can set a preferred version as the default for your whole agency, so new worksheets start in the right format without anyone choosing.
⚠️ Please Note: In an award allocation section, splitting "100%" means splitting 100% of the agents' share of commission, not 100% of the total commission and not the agency's share. This is the most common point of confusion on the worksheet. See Financials & Commissions: Commission FAQ's.
Can I Change a Worksheet After It Is Completed?
Yes. Users with the right privilege can unlock a commission worksheet and adjust it. Editing works the same way as every other record in Rex: click the edit button next to the section you want to change, make your changes, and Rex saves when you click out of the section.
What Happens After the Worksheet?
- Commission invoices can be raised from the worksheet. See Financials & Commissions: Creating Commission Invoices.
- Salesperson invoices and Xero pick up the worksheet figures, so payroll does not need the numbers re-entered.
- Printed summaries are available for both the full worksheet and a sales advice. See Financials & Commissions: Print Full Summary and Financials & Commissions: Print Sales Advice.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I not see the option to create a commission worksheet?
A worksheet can only be created once a contract or offer has been created and accepted on the listing. Check the contract status on the listing first.
What does the "100%" in the award allocation section mean? Where is the agency's share?
You are splitting 100% of the agents' cut of the commission, not the full commission. The agency's share is a separate amount and is shown in the Office Commission Summary.
Can I switch an existing worksheet to a different version?
The version is set when the worksheet is created, and your agency default determines what new worksheets use. If you need to change an existing worksheet's version, contact Rex Support.
Do I have to set up a commission structure before I can use a worksheet?
No. Without a structure you enter the gross commission manually. A structure simply means Rex calculates it for you.
Can agent commission be worked out on a tiered scale rather than a flat percentage?
Yes, in Australia and New Zealand. See Financials & Commissions: Using an Agent Sliding Scale on a Commission Worksheet.
Where does the office figure come from?
The office receives whatever is left of the distributable commission once the agent payable amounts and deductions have been taken out. It is a remainder, not a separately calculated percentage.