My file uploaded fine, but I have several red “Edit” buttons. What does this mean?
Why can't my agents download their statements?
I keep getting an error when I try to upload my commission statement using the carrier map. What is wrong?
The most common answer to this question is that the carrier changed the format of their file so your AMS+ Import Map is no longer accurate.
How to fix it: Go back into your import history (located within the Import Carrier Data section) and find a file from a previous month that worked correctly for that carrier. Open that file and compare the columns to the file that just failed. Check to make sure the data is located in the same columns on each spreadsheet. If you find a difference that means the carrier has indeed changed their file. You will need to submit the new file to our developers so they can update your map. This can be done within the Import Carrier Data section under the Modify Existing Import Map tab. You will receive an email when the update has been finished. Typical turnaround time is about 24-48 hours.
Learn more about importing commission data.
My file uploaded fine, but I have several red “Edit” buttons. What does this mean?
The system couldn’t find the policy as it came in on the spreadsheet
-OR-
The system found the policy but there is an issue with the payee (who gets paid and how much)
(these issues are described in more detail later in this section)
A policy wasn’t found when I uploaded a statement so I clicked on the red edit button and the policy record is showing in the list. Why didn’t it link up?
- The policy number must be an exact match- Check for leading zeros, special characters, etc. If there is any variation the policy will not automatically link up.
- If the policy number matches exactly check to make sure there is complete data for Status, Carrier, and Coverage Type. If any of those are blank the policy won’t automatically link.
- If the policy number matches and all fields are completed and it still won’t link up chances are that particular carrier is set up to match on Policy Number and Coverage Type.
- If the coverage type on the spreadsheet doesn’t match the coverage type associated with the policy record in AMS+ the payment won’t link up.
Learn more about reconciling commissions.
A policy wasn’t found when I uploaded a statement so I clicked on the red edit button. I know this policy is in the system but it’s not finding the policy number. How can I find it?
When you click on the red Edit button a new window will open and there is a search field. The system automatically fills in that search field with the policy number that came in on the spreadsheet. Delete out this number and search for the policyholder’s last name instead. This should find the record.
Learn more about reconciling commissions.
My policy didn’t link up, but I found it when I clicked on the red Edit button. I clicked on Select to the left of the policy and a new box opened up. What is this telling me?
This announcement box is telling you that if you click on “OK” the policy record in AMS+ will be updated to match the information that came in on the spreadsheet. This way the policy will match automatically on any future statements that are uploaded.
Learn more about reconciling commissions.
My entries all linked up with Policies, but there are still several red Edit buttons. What does this mean?
This means there is an issue with the payee(s) on the policy. This could mean one of the following:
- There is no payee assigned to the policy
- There is a payee assigned, but something is wrong with a rate table that is assigned to the policy.
Learn more about reconciling commissions.
My entries were linking up with Policies just fine the other day, but now I'm getting red Edit buttons. What is wrong?
This could mean the carrier started using a different number from the policy number in their commission statements.
If so, you will need to add these numbers to the commission number field on your policy records and change the matching criteria in carrier setup from policy number to commission number. See the Carrier Setup & Matching Criteria article for step-by-step instructions.
Note: If the commission number is in a different column than it was before, you may also need to modify or submit a new import map.
Learn more about reconciling commissions.
I don’t need to match on Policy Number and Coverage Type for some of my carriers. How do I change this?
Go into the main commission menu and select “ Carrier Setup ”. Select the carrier name from the drop down menu. You will see 3 options with check boxes- Policy Number has to be checked, Coverage Type and Effective date are optional. If you don’t need to match on anything other than Policy Number then just make sure the boxes next to Coverage Type and Effective Date are unchecked.
Learn more about carrier setup and matching criteria.
We sometimes receive bonuses from our carriers. We need to split up bonuses differently than normal payments that come in for our agents. How do I override the existing split to account for these special scenarios?
Bonus amounts can be split up differently than regular payments. This will be done with a Manual Entry in the Commission tab:
- From the main Commission menu click on View & Edit Entries
- On the far right hand side click on the Add New button
- On the window that opens up search for the policy that applies to the payment you are bringing in. Click on Select next to the policy.
- On the next window fill in Statement Date and Bill From Date.
- Here is the important part: From the Entry Type drop down select One-Time Adjustment
- Continue filling in the payment information - key in Premium (if you have it), Rate Type will be Flat Amount, and Total Commission will be the full dollar amount the carrier paid you.
- Hit Save
- The Payees box will open at the bottom and it shouldn’t have any payees in it. Click on Create New (or Use Payee Schedule).
- Enter in the payee information how it is to be calculated for this payment. Hit Save.
- You will now be back to the payment detail window. Hit Save and Close and that payment is done.
***Important*** Make sure to use the One-Time Adjustment from the Entry Type drop down. If you don’t, it may change the regular payee information for any payments going forward.
Learn more about reconciling commissions.
Why can't my agents download their statements?
Agent Statement Users and Agent CRM Users can access and download statements only for locked statement dates. You can lock statement dates on the Commission > Date Utilities page. Please note, locking a date prevents further edits to the commission entries of that particular date. You should lock a date only after finalizing its commissions.
Learn more about locking statement dates.
I often see a "Bill from Date" field when importing carrier statements into AMS+. I also see it in some reports. What is it and what is it used for?
Often found on carrier statements, the Bill from Date tells you what premium period you are getting paid FOR. It does not tell you what month you are getting paid IN. That's typically the statement date.
In AMS+, the Bill from Date can help you find missing commissions using reports and project commissions.
Please note, carriers could use different names for Bill from Date on their statements. We've seen it go by names such as "Paid from Date," "Premium Due Date," and "Billed Date." Look at your statement. Sometimes the column header might not look anything like it but it should be there.
There's also a chance that the carrier does not include a Bill from Date in their statements. In this event, we have an option to mass add it. For more details, please reach out to the Client Success Team at help@agencybloc.com.
Learn more about using the Bill from Date to identify missed commission payments.
I keep getting an error when I try to upload a commission statement using the Standard Format template. What is wrong?
Common things to check:
- Make sure the columns have not been moved or altered. Also, make sure no columns have been added or deleted.
- Make sure the Carrier name is spelled and appears exactly like it is entered in the Carriers tab of AMS+.
- Make sure all dates are in the format of MM/DD/YYYY
- Make sure all the number columns are set to “General” as the format- No dollar signs, no commas, etc. (this only applies to premium and commission information)
- Make sure the file is saved as an .xls format (shown as “Excel 97-2003” as the file type)
- Make sure Coverage Type for each entry is exactly how it appears in AMS+ (spelled the same)
- If you have a value in the InRate column, you must have a value in the Premium column or the Lives column.
- If you don’t have a Premium amount (carrier didn’t provide it) it is best to put a “0” in the Premium column.
Learn more about importing commission data.