Merchant Statement Analyzer
Enter your processing numbers to understand your effective rate — and whether it's low, average, or high for your business type. No savings promises. Just clear, honest context.
Your Processing Numbers
Use figures from your most recent monthly statement
Total card sales processed for the month
All fees deducted or billed for the same month
Optional — calculates per-transaction cost
Adds context about what shapes rates for your industry
What to include in "Total Monthly Processing Fees": All fees deducted from your deposits or billed separately for the same month — interchange, assessments, network charges, transaction fees, monthly fees, and any other processor charges. Use the total fees figure, not just the processor markup.
What Your Effective Rate Doesn't Tell You
Your effective rate is a useful benchmark — but it is only one number. Understanding what drives it requires looking at the statement itself.
Your pricing model
Two businesses can have the same effective rate — one on transparent interchange-plus pricing, the other on a tiered model with significant markups. The rate looks the same; the structure is very different.
Individual fee categories
Monthly minimums, PCI non-compliance fees, batch fees, and statement fees all contribute to your effective rate. A statement review identifies each one by name so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Your card mix
Debit cards, standard credit, rewards cards, and commercial cards all carry different interchange rates. Your card mix is a major driver of your effective rate — and it is only visible in the statement detail.
Free Professional Analysis
Want to know exactly what's on your statement?
Upload your merchant statement and I'll send you a plain-English breakdown — your pricing model, every fee category, your card mix, and what each line item means. No sales pitch. No obligation to change anything.
David Hopwood
Independent Merchant Services Advisor
Typical turnaround: 1–2 business days. You'll receive a written analysis by email.
Request a Professional Analysis
Free — no obligation to change processors
Upload Statement (optional — PDF, JPG, PNG, HEIC · 20 MB max)
Drop your statement here or browse
You can also submit without a statement — David will follow up
Your information is never sold or shared. By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about effective rates, benchmarks, and merchant statement analysis.
What is an effective processing rate?
Your effective processing rate is the total percentage of your card sales that goes to processing fees. It is calculated by dividing total monthly fees by total monthly card volume. For example, $1,200 in fees on $60,000 in volume equals a 2.00% effective rate. It is a useful number for tracking your cost over time and for providing context when comparing pricing proposals.
What affects my effective processing rate?
Your effective rate is shaped by several factors that vary from business to business: your card mix (debit vs. standard credit vs. rewards vs. commercial cards), whether transactions are card-present or card-not-present, your average ticket size, transaction count, how well transactions qualify for interchange, and the markup structure your processor uses. Two businesses in the same industry can have meaningfully different effective rates for entirely legitimate reasons.
Why does my effective rate matter?
Your effective rate is a useful starting point for understanding your total processing cost as a percentage of sales. It helps you see how your overall cost has changed over time and gives context when comparing pricing proposals. However, it does not reveal your pricing model, your card mix, or which specific fees are driving your cost — that requires a line-by-line statement review.
What is a merchant statement analysis?
A merchant statement analysis is a detailed, line-by-line review of your processing statement. It identifies your pricing model (tiered, interchange-plus, flat-rate), breaks down every fee category, and explains what each charge means in plain language. Accurate Payment Systems provides this analysis free of charge with no obligation.
Do I have to upload my statement to get an analysis?
No. You can submit your contact information without a statement and David will follow up to discuss the best way to proceed. Uploading your statement simply allows for a more detailed written analysis to be prepared in advance.
DON'T GUESS. LET'S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.
Whether you're reviewing what you currently pay or setting up for the first time — David can help.
Existing Business
Already accepting cards?
Let David review what you are currently paying.
New Business
Opening a business or accepting payments for the first time?
Get help selecting the right setup.