Using variables for percentage calculations

Jul 10, 2023

I have built some content that uses variables to calculate the true rates of employing someone. I have done it for casual workers but am having issues with figuring out the logics of part time or full time workers.

I need to alter the way Superannuation and Workers Compensation Insurance calculates and its beyond my expertise.

The superannuation should calculate at 11% of the base cost + personal leave + allowances.

The workers compensation insurance should calculate at 2.6% of base cost + personal leave + allowances +super.

I have a picture of what it SHOULD calculate too attached but I have something miscalculating in the variables.

Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong please?

4 Replies
Walt Hamilton

Your picture explains what you want, and your story explains why you aren't getting it. Thanks to your excellent post, I can help you.

First, I would recommend you set SUMTOTAL to 0 when the layer timeline starts, so it only has calculations from this visit, and not carryover numbers.

Secondly, (and this is mostly personal preference), I would group the variables. It makes them easier to visualize.

The problem is that you are not adding leaves and allowances to base before you are calculating super. I added those triggers.

You are not calculating allowances until the end of the list, but you need it before you calculate super, so I moved it up in the list, so it is available when you need it.

You are not adding leaves, allowances, and super to base before you calculate work cover. After the triggers to add base, leaves, and allowances, I copied that total to Quotient G, so it is available to calculate work cover, before super is calculated. Then I added super to it and calculated work cover.

I would suggest you don't divide by 100, but use the corresponding decimals to multiply. Instead of dividing base by 100, then multiplying by 7.67 for annual leave, just multiply by.0767. Mathematically, you get virtually (there might be some slight differences in how things are rounded) the same answer, but it only takes half as many steps. With fewer triggers, it is easier to track, and may speed the calculations.

Starting with Staff cost per week, both my version and my calculator diverge from the numbers on the picture. Maybe it's rounding, or I don't know what all should be included when.

Any questions, please ask.