Commish › Sales accelerator calculator
Sales accelerator calculator
An accelerator pays a higher commission rate on sales above a threshold, usually 100% of quota. With a 10% base rate and a 15% accelerator on a $1,000,000 quota, $1,200,000 in sales pays $130,000.
Formula
Commission = (Sales up to quota × Base rate)
+ (Sales above quota × Accelerator rate)Example
Quota $1,000,000. You sell $1,200,000. Base rate 10%, accelerator 15%.
$1,000,000 × 10% = $100,000, plus $200,000 × 15% = $30,000. Total $130,000, an effective rate of 10.8%. Every extra $50,000 now adds $7,500 instead of $5,000.
Check that your accelerator actually accelerates
On bonus-style plans, the rate below quota isn't printed anywhere. Work it out as target variable pay divided by quota. If that's higher than the rate paid above quota, overperforming pays less per dollar. The sales bonus calculator runs this check for you.
Common questions
What is a typical sales accelerator?
Accelerators are commonly set at 1.5x to 2x the base rate above 100% of quota, and some plans add a second, higher tier at 125% or 150%. Your plan document is the only source that counts.
Do accelerators apply to all my sales or only sales above quota?
Most apply only to sales above the threshold, so earlier dollars keep the base rate. Some plans are retroactive and re-rate every dollar once you cross it. Tick the retroactive box in the calculator to compare.
When are accelerators paid?
Many plans pay accelerated commission as you earn it. Others hold it until year end and calculate it on full-year results, which means a strong first half can stop counting if the second half is weak.
What is a decelerator?
A decelerator pays a lower rate after a threshold, or below a minimum. Some plans reduce the rate on deals above a size limit, and some bonus plans pay less per dollar above quota than below it.
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