Enterprise Brokerage Structure and Commission Management

Article Content

---
id: KB-BOM-001
module: backoffice
sub_module: brokerage-management
title: Enterprise Brokerage Structure and Commission Management
category: how-to
applies_to:
- user_type: admin
- role: enterprise_admin
products:
- IFANOW Enterprise
platform_area: backoffice
related_workflows:
- sub_broker_onboarding
- commission_calculation
depends_on:
- KB-TM-001
- KB-MF-001
access_level: admin
source: code_extraction
source_files:
- repo: ifanow-futurewise
files:
- BackOfficeController.java
- BrokerageService.java
- CommissionService.java
- BrokerageDao.java
last_extracted: '2026-02-17'
confidence: medium
version: 1
tags:
- brokerage
- commission
- sub-broker
- trail commission
- branch management
- designation
- hierarchy
- enterprise
---

```

## Overview

The Enterprise Brokerage Management feature allows administrators to create and manage comprehensive commission structures for their brokerage operations. This includes setting up commission categories with trail percentages, creating brokerage rules based on AUM ranges and time periods, managing branch and designation hierarchies, and onboarding sub-brokers with specific commission assignments. The system supports both category-based and scheme-specific commission structures.

Key capabilities:
- Create commission category masters with trail percentages across multiple years
- Set up brokerage rules with AUM-based criteria and date ranges
- Upload scheme-specific commission exceptions via Excel files
- Manage branch and designation hierarchies for organizational structure
- Onboard and assign sub-brokers with specific commission structures

## Prerequisites and Access

**Requirements:**
- IFANOW Enterprise subscription
- Enterprise Admin role
- Active admin account with brokerage management permissions

**Navigation Path:**
Back Office → Brokerage Management → [specific section based on task]

## How-To Steps

### How to Create a Commission Category Master

Set up a new commission category with trail percentages for different years.

1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Commission Categories
2. Click "Add New Category"
3. Enter category details:
- Slab Name (required)
- Description (required)
- Commission percentage or basis points (required)
4. Click "Save Category"
5. On the trail setup page, configure trail percentages:
- First Year Trail percentage
- Second Year Trail percentage
- Third Year Trail percentage
- Fourth Year Trail percentage
- B30 Trail percentage
- Others percentage
6. Select applicable fund categories from the dropdown
7. Click "Save Trail Configuration"

**Result:** The commission category is created and can be assigned to sub-brokers. All trail configurations are automatically logged for audit purposes.

### How to Create a Brokerage Rule Master

Define brokerage rules with AUM ranges and time-based criteria.

1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Rule Masters
2. Click "Create New Rule"
3. Fill in rule details:
- Slab Name (descriptive name for the rule)
- Transaction Start Date and End Date
- Brokerage Start Date and End Date
- AUM Start Range and End Range (in rupees)
- Commission basis (Percentage or Basis Points)
- Type (Base or Additional)
- Internal and External descriptions
4. Select applicable ARN/RIA mappings
5. Review rule summary and click "Save Rule"
6. Set rule status to "Active" when ready to use

**Result:** The brokerage rule is created in draft status and can be activated for assignment to sub-brokers.

**Warning:** Once a rule is activated and assigned to sub-brokers, modifications create a new version while preserving the audit trail.

### How to Upload Scheme-Specific Commission Exceptions

Import custom commission rates for specific mutual fund schemes.

1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Exception Upload
2. Select the target brokerage rule from the dropdown
3. Click "Get Upload Template" to download the Excel format
4. Fill the template with:
- Scheme details (auto-populated in template)
- First through Fourth Year Trail percentages
- B30 Trail percentage
- Other applicable rates
5. Click "Upload File" and select your completed Excel file
6. Review the upload summary showing success/failure counts
7. Check the "Failed Records" tab for any validation errors
8. Fix errors in your file and re-upload if needed

**Result:** Scheme-specific commission rates override category-level defaults for the selected schemes. Processing status updates in real-time.

### How to Set Up Branch Hierarchy

Create and manage organizational branch structure with levels.

1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Branch Master
2. Click "Add Branch"
3. Enter branch information:
- Branch Name (required)
- Branch Code (optional, must be unique)
- Branch Level (hierarchy level, auto-suggested)
4. Click "Save Branch"
5. To create sub-branches, repeat the process with higher level numbers
6. Use the hierarchy view to see the complete branch structure

**Result:** Branch hierarchy is established for assigning sub-brokers to specific organizational units.

### How to Create Designation Levels

Set up job designation hierarchy for sub-broker assignments.

1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Designation Master
2. Click "Add Designation"
3. Provide designation details:
- Designation Name (required)
- Designation Level (hierarchy position)
4. Save the designation
5. View all designations grouped by level in the hierarchy view

**Result:** Designation structure is ready for sub-broker role assignments.

### How to Onboard a Sub-Broker

Add new sub-brokers with commission assignments and hierarchy placement.

1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Sub-Brokers
2. Click "Add Sub-Broker"
3. Select the team member from existing advisors
4. Configure sub-broker details:
- Branch assignment (from branch master)
- Designation assignment (from designation master)
- Commission category assignment
- Reporting hierarchy (who they report to)
- EUIN number (optional)
- Sub-broker code (optional, must be unique)
- GSTIN (if applicable, must be 15 digits)
5. Assign brokerage rules from available rule masters
6. Add sub-ARN numbers with validity dates if needed
7. Upload supporting documents if required
8. Review all details and click "Save Sub-Broker"

**Result:** Sub-broker is onboarded with assigned commission structure and appears in the organizational hierarchy.

**Warning:** Sub-broker codes and EUIN numbers must be unique across your organization.

## Rules and Limits

- Commission category slab names must be unique within your organization
- Trail percentages can be set to zero but cannot be negative
- AUM ranges in brokerage rules cannot overlap for the same time period
- Branch and designation levels must be sequential positive numbers
- GSTIN numbers must be exactly 15 characters when provided
- Sub-broker codes must be unique across all active sub-brokers
- EUIN numbers must be unique if provided
- File uploads for scheme exceptions must be in Excel (.xlsx) format only
- Maximum file size for uploads is determined by system configuration
- Once a brokerage rule is assigned to active sub-brokers, it cannot be deleted
- Commission categories cannot be deleted if assigned to active sub-brokers
- Branch and designation masters cannot be deleted if assigned to sub-brokers
- Rule activation automatically creates audit trail entries
- Sub-broker hierarchy changes are validated to prevent circular reporting relationships

## Common Questions

**Q: Can I modify a commission category after assigning it to sub-brokers?**
A: Yes, you can edit commission categories, but changes create a new version while preserving the audit trail. Existing assignments continue with previous rates until manually updated.

**Q: What happens if I upload scheme exceptions with errors?**
A: The system processes valid records and provides a detailed failure report for incorrect entries. You can fix errors and re-upload the corrected file without affecting successfully processed records.

**Q: Can a sub-broker be assigned to multiple brokerage rules?**
A: Yes, sub-brokers can have multiple rule assignments. The system applies rules based on priority and criteria matching during commission calculations.

**Q: How do I handle overlapping date ranges in brokerage rules?**
A: The system prevents saving rules with overlapping AUM ranges for the same date period. You must adjust either the date ranges or AUM ranges to avoid conflicts.

**Q: Can I change a sub-broker's reporting hierarchy after onboarding?**
A: Yes, but the system validates changes to prevent circular reporting relationships. All hierarchy changes are logged for audit purposes.

## Troubleshooting

**Problem:** "Slab name already exists" error when creating commission categories
**Cause:** Another commission category uses the same slab name
**Fix:** Choose a unique slab name or check existing categories to avoid duplication

**Problem:** "AUM range overlap detected" when saving brokerage rules
**Cause:** Another active rule has overlapping AUM ranges for the same date period
**Fix:** Adjust AUM ranges or date periods to eliminate overlap, or deactivate conflicting rules

**Problem:** "File format incorrect" during scheme exception upload
**Cause:** File is not in .xlsx format or template structure was modified
**Fix:** Use only the downloaded template and save as Excel (.xlsx) format

**Problem:** "Team member already exists as sub-broker" error
**Cause:** The selected advisor is already onboarded as a sub-broker
**Fix:** Check existing sub-broker list or edit the existing sub-broker record instead

**Problem:** "Branch/Designation master is mapped" when trying to delete
**Cause:** The branch or designation is currently assigned to active sub-brokers
**Fix:** Reassign affected sub-brokers to different branches/designations before deleting

**Problem:** Commission calculations not reflecting uploaded scheme exceptions
**Cause:** File upload may have failed processing or rules are not activated
**Fix:** Check upload status in the file summary and ensure associated brokerage rules are activated

## Related Features

- **Team Member Management:** Required for selecting advisors to convert to sub-brokers and establishing reporting hierarchies
- **Mutual Fund Scheme Master:** Provides scheme data for exception uploads and commission calculations
- **Document Management:** Supports sub-broker document uploads and storage
- **Audit Trail System:** Automatically logs all changes to commission structures and sub-broker assignments
- **User Role Management:** Controls access to brokerage management functions based on admin roles

Edit Article

---
id: KB-BOM-001
module: backoffice
sub_module: brokerage-management
title: Enterprise Brokerage Structure and Commission Management
category: how-to
applies_to:
- user_type: admin
- role: enterprise_admin
products:
- IFANOW Enterprise
platform_area: backoffice
related_workflows:
- sub_broker_onboarding
- commission_calculation
depends_on:
- KB-TM-001
- KB-MF-001
access_level: admin
source: code_extraction
source_files:
- repo: ifanow-futurewise
  files:
  - BackOfficeController.java
  - BrokerageService.java
  - CommissionService.java
  - BrokerageDao.java
last_extracted: '2026-02-17'
confidence: medium
version: 1
tags:
- brokerage
- commission
- sub-broker
- trail commission
- branch management
- designation
- hierarchy
- enterprise
---

```

## Overview

The Enterprise Brokerage Management feature allows administrators to create and manage comprehensive commission structures for their brokerage operations. This includes setting up commission categories with trail percentages, creating brokerage rules based on AUM ranges and time periods, managing branch and designation hierarchies, and onboarding sub-brokers with specific commission assignments. The system supports both category-based and scheme-specific commission structures.

Key capabilities:
- Create commission category masters with trail percentages across multiple years
- Set up brokerage rules with AUM-based criteria and date ranges
- Upload scheme-specific commission exceptions via Excel files
- Manage branch and designation hierarchies for organizational structure
- Onboard and assign sub-brokers with specific commission structures

## Prerequisites and Access

**Requirements:**
- IFANOW Enterprise subscription
- Enterprise Admin role
- Active admin account with brokerage management permissions

**Navigation Path:**
Back Office → Brokerage Management → [specific section based on task]

## How-To Steps

### How to Create a Commission Category Master

Set up a new commission category with trail percentages for different years.

1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Commission Categories
2. Click "Add New Category"
3. Enter category details:
   - Slab Name (required)
   - Description (required)
   - Commission percentage or basis points (required)
4. Click "Save Category"
5. On the trail setup page, configure trail percentages:
   - First Year Trail percentage
   - Second Year Trail percentage
   - Third Year Trail percentage
   - Fourth Year Trail percentage
   - B30 Trail percentage
   - Others percentage
6. Select applicable fund categories from the dropdown
7. Click "Save Trail Configuration"

**Result:** The commission category is created and can be assigned to sub-brokers. All trail configurations are automatically logged for audit purposes.

### How to Create a Brokerage Rule Master

Define brokerage rules with AUM ranges and time-based criteria.

1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Rule Masters
2. Click "Create New Rule"
3. Fill in rule details:
   - Slab Name (descriptive name for the rule)
   - Transaction Start Date and End Date
   - Brokerage Start Date and End Date
   - AUM Start Range and End Range (in rupees)
   - Commission basis (Percentage or Basis Points)
   - Type (Base or Additional)
   - Internal and External descriptions
4. Select applicable ARN/RIA mappings
5. Review rule summary and click "Save Rule"
6. Set rule status to "Active" when ready to use

**Result:** The brokerage rule is created in draft status and can be activated for assignment to sub-brokers.

**Warning:** Once a rule is activated and assigned to sub-brokers, modifications create a new version while preserving the audit trail.

### How to Upload Scheme-Specific Commission Exceptions

Import custom commission rates for specific mutual fund schemes.

1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Exception Upload
2. Select the target brokerage rule from the dropdown
3. Click "Get Upload Template" to download the Excel format
4. Fill the template with:
   - Scheme details (auto-populated in template)
   - First through Fourth Year Trail percentages
   - B30 Trail percentage
   - Other applicable rates
5. Click "Upload File" and select your completed Excel file
6. Review the upload summary showing success/failure counts
7. Check the "Failed Records" tab for any validation errors
8. Fix errors in your file and re-upload if needed

**Result:** Scheme-specific commission rates override category-level defaults for the selected schemes. Processing status updates in real-time.

### How to Set Up Branch Hierarchy

Create and manage organizational branch structure with levels.

1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Branch Master
2. Click "Add Branch" 
3. Enter branch information:
   - Branch Name (required)
   - Branch Code (optional, must be unique)
   - Branch Level (hierarchy level, auto-suggested)
4. Click "Save Branch"
5. To create sub-branches, repeat the process with higher level numbers
6. Use the hierarchy view to see the complete branch structure

**Result:** Branch hierarchy is established for assigning sub-brokers to specific organizational units.

### How to Create Designation Levels

Set up job designation hierarchy for sub-broker assignments.

1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Designation Master
2. Click "Add Designation"
3. Provide designation details:
   - Designation Name (required)
   - Designation Level (hierarchy position)
4. Save the designation
5. View all designations grouped by level in the hierarchy view

**Result:** Designation structure is ready for sub-broker role assignments.

### How to Onboard a Sub-Broker

Add new sub-brokers with commission assignments and hierarchy placement.

1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Sub-Brokers
2. Click "Add Sub-Broker"
3. Select the team member from existing advisors
4. Configure sub-broker details:
   - Branch assignment (from branch master)
   - Designation assignment (from designation master)
   - Commission category assignment
   - Reporting hierarchy (who they report to)
   - EUIN number (optional)
   - Sub-broker code (optional, must be unique)
   - GSTIN (if applicable, must be 15 digits)
5. Assign brokerage rules from available rule masters
6. Add sub-ARN numbers with validity dates if needed
7. Upload supporting documents if required
8. Review all details and click "Save Sub-Broker"

**Result:** Sub-broker is onboarded with assigned commission structure and appears in the organizational hierarchy.

**Warning:** Sub-broker codes and EUIN numbers must be unique across your organization.

## Rules and Limits

- Commission category slab names must be unique within your organization
- Trail percentages can be set to zero but cannot be negative
- AUM ranges in brokerage rules cannot overlap for the same time period
- Branch and designation levels must be sequential positive numbers
- GSTIN numbers must be exactly 15 characters when provided
- Sub-broker codes must be unique across all active sub-brokers
- EUIN numbers must be unique if provided
- File uploads for scheme exceptions must be in Excel (.xlsx) format only
- Maximum file size for uploads is determined by system configuration
- Once a brokerage rule is assigned to active sub-brokers, it cannot be deleted
- Commission categories cannot be deleted if assigned to active sub-brokers
- Branch and designation masters cannot be deleted if assigned to sub-brokers
- Rule activation automatically creates audit trail entries
- Sub-broker hierarchy changes are validated to prevent circular reporting relationships

## Common Questions

**Q: Can I modify a commission category after assigning it to sub-brokers?**
A: Yes, you can edit commission categories, but changes create a new version while preserving the audit trail. Existing assignments continue with previous rates until manually updated.

**Q: What happens if I upload scheme exceptions with errors?**
A: The system processes valid records and provides a detailed failure report for incorrect entries. You can fix errors and re-upload the corrected file without affecting successfully processed records.

**Q: Can a sub-broker be assigned to multiple brokerage rules?**
A: Yes, sub-brokers can have multiple rule assignments. The system applies rules based on priority and criteria matching during commission calculations.

**Q: How do I handle overlapping date ranges in brokerage rules?**
A: The system prevents saving rules with overlapping AUM ranges for the same date period. You must adjust either the date ranges or AUM ranges to avoid conflicts.

**Q: Can I change a sub-broker's reporting hierarchy after onboarding?**
A: Yes, but the system validates changes to prevent circular reporting relationships. All hierarchy changes are logged for audit purposes.

## Troubleshooting

**Problem:** "Slab name already exists" error when creating commission categories
**Cause:** Another commission category uses the same slab name
**Fix:** Choose a unique slab name or check existing categories to avoid duplication

**Problem:** "AUM range overlap detected" when saving brokerage rules
**Cause:** Another active rule has overlapping AUM ranges for the same date period
**Fix:** Adjust AUM ranges or date periods to eliminate overlap, or deactivate conflicting rules

**Problem:** "File format incorrect" during scheme exception upload
**Cause:** File is not in .xlsx format or template structure was modified
**Fix:** Use only the downloaded template and save as Excel (.xlsx) format

**Problem:** "Team member already exists as sub-broker" error
**Cause:** The selected advisor is already onboarded as a sub-broker
**Fix:** Check existing sub-broker list or edit the existing sub-broker record instead

**Problem:** "Branch/Designation master is mapped" when trying to delete
**Cause:** The branch or designation is currently assigned to active sub-brokers
**Fix:** Reassign affected sub-brokers to different branches/designations before deleting

**Problem:** Commission calculations not reflecting uploaded scheme exceptions
**Cause:** File upload may have failed processing or rules are not activated
**Fix:** Check upload status in the file summary and ensure associated brokerage rules are activated

## Related Features

- **Team Member Management:** Required for selecting advisors to convert to sub-brokers and establishing reporting hierarchies
- **Mutual Fund Scheme Master:** Provides scheme data for exception uploads and commission calculations  
- **Document Management:** Supports sub-broker document uploads and storage
- **Audit Trail System:** Automatically logs all changes to commission structures and sub-broker assignments
- **User Role Management:** Controls access to brokerage management functions based on admin roles

Changes from Previous Version

--- 
+++ 
@@ -2,240 +2,209 @@
 
 ## Overview
 
-The Enterprise Brokerage Management System allows you to set up and manage comprehensive commission structures for your organization, including trail commissions, sub-broker hierarchies, and branch/designation management. This system enables you to define commission slabs, manage team members as sub-brokers, upload scheme-specific commission exceptions, and maintain organizational hierarchies for accurate commission distribution.
+The Enterprise Brokerage Management feature allows administrators to create and manage comprehensive commission structures for their brokerage operations. This includes setting up commission categories with trail percentages, creating brokerage rules based on AUM ranges and time periods, managing branch and designation hierarchies, and onboarding sub-brokers with specific commission assignments. The system supports both category-based and scheme-specific commission structures.
 
 Key capabilities:
-• Create and manage commission category masters with trail percentages across multiple years
-• Set up brokerage rule masters with AUM ranges and date-based commission structures
-• Manage sub-broker onboarding with branch and designation assignments
-• Upload bulk scheme-wise commission exceptions via Excel files
-• Maintain organizational hierarchies with reporting structures
+- Create commission category masters with trail percentages across multiple years
+- Set up brokerage rules with AUM-based criteria and date ranges
+- Upload scheme-specific commission exceptions via Excel files
+- Manage branch and designation hierarchies for organizational structure
+- Onboard and assign sub-brokers with specific commission structures
 
 ## Prerequisites and Access
 
 **Requirements:**
 - IFANOW Enterprise subscription
-- Enterprise Admin role with brokerage management permissions
-- Completed organization setup with basic team member structure
+- Enterprise Admin role
+- Active admin account with brokerage management permissions
 
 **Navigation Path:**
-Back Office → Brokerage Management → [Select specific function from dashboard]
+Back Office → Brokerage Management → [specific section based on task]
 
 ## How-To Steps
 
 ### How to Create a Commission Category Master
 
-Set up basic commission structures that can be applied across different brokerage rules.
+Set up a new commission category with trail percentages for different years.
 
 1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Commission Categories
 2. Click "Add New Category"
-3. Enter Slab Name (descriptive name for the commission tier)
-4. Fill in Description field with detailed explanation
-5. Enter Commission Percentage or Basis Points value
-6. Click "Save Category Master"
-
-**What happens:** The system creates a new commission category that appears in your master list and becomes available for trail commission setup.
-
-### How to Configure Trail Commission Percentages
-
-Define year-wise trail commission percentages for each commission category.
-
-1. Select an existing Commission Category from the list
-2. Click "Configure Trail Commissions"
-3. For each fund category, enter:
+3. Enter category details:
+   - Slab Name (required)
+   - Description (required)
+   - Commission percentage or basis points (required)
+4. Click "Save Category"
+5. On the trail setup page, configure trail percentages:
    - First Year Trail percentage
-   - Second Year Trail percentage  
+   - Second Year Trail percentage
    - Third Year Trail percentage
    - Fourth Year Trail percentage
-   - B30 Trail percentage (for schemes older than 30 months)
-   - Others percentage (miscellaneous trail)
-4. Click "Save Trail Configuration"
-
-**What happens:** Trail percentages are saved and will be applied to sub-brokers assigned to this commission category.
+   - B30 Trail percentage
+   - Others percentage
+6. Select applicable fund categories from the dropdown
+7. Click "Save Trail Configuration"
+
+**Result:** The commission category is created and can be assigned to sub-brokers. All trail configurations are automatically logged for audit purposes.
 
 ### How to Create a Brokerage Rule Master
 
-Establish comprehensive brokerage rules with AUM ranges and transaction date criteria.
-
-1. Go to Brokerage Management → Rule Masters
+Define brokerage rules with AUM ranges and time-based criteria.
+
+1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Rule Masters
 2. Click "Create New Rule"
-3. Enter Slab Name for identification
-4. Set Transaction Date Range (start and end dates for applicability)
-5. Set Brokerage Date Range (when commissions will be calculated)
-6. Define AUM Start Range and AUM End Range
-7. Choose Basis Point or Percent calculation method
-8. Select Base or Additional commission type
-9. Add Internal Description (for your reference)
-10. Add External Description (visible to sub-brokers)
-11. Select applicable ARN/RIA mappings from the list
-12. Click "Save Rule Master"
-
-**What happens:** A new brokerage rule is created with Draft status and becomes available for assignment to sub-brokers.
-
-### How to Activate a Brokerage Rule
-
-Change a brokerage rule from Draft to Active status for implementation.
-
-1. Find the rule in Rule Masters list
-2. Click on the rule to view details
-3. Review all settings for accuracy
-4. Click "Activate Rule"
-5. Confirm activation in the popup dialog
-
-**What happens:** The rule status changes to Active and can now be assigned to sub-brokers. The system creates a backup copy of the previous version.
-
-**Warning:** Once activated, modifications will create new versions and may affect existing sub-broker assignments.
-
-### How to Set Up Branch Master
-
-Create organizational branches for sub-broker assignment and hierarchy management.
-
-1. Navigate to Brokerage Management → Branch Management
-2. Click "Add New Branch"
-3. Enter Branch Name
-4. Enter Branch Code (unique identifier)
-5. Set Branch Level (hierarchy level number)
-6. Click "Save Branch"
-
-**What happens:** The branch is created and becomes available for sub-broker assignment during onboarding.
-
-### How to Set Up Designation Master
-
-Define job designations for organizational structure and reporting.
-
-1. Go to Brokerage Management → Designation Management
-2. Click "Add New Designation"
-3. Enter Designation Name
-4. Set Designation Level (hierarchy level)
-5. Click "Save Designation"
-
-**What happens:** The designation is created and available for sub-broker assignment.
-
-### How to Onboard a Sub-Broker
-
-Add team members to the brokerage system with full commission and hierarchy setup.
-
-1. Navigate to Brokerage Management → Sub-Broker Management
-2. Click "Add New Sub-Broker"
-3. Select Team Member from dropdown (existing advisor/team member)
-4. Choose Reporting To (immediate supervisor in hierarchy)
-5. Select Branch from Branch Master list
-6. Select Designation from Designation Master list  
-7. Choose Commission Category for this sub-broker
-8. Enter EUIN (if applicable)
-9. Enter unique Sub-Broker Code
-10. Add GSTIN (if GST registered)
-11. Select Bank Details (if different from default)
-12. Assign Brokerage Rule Masters (multiple can be selected)
-13. Add Sub-ARN details with start and expiry dates
-14. Click "Save Sub-Broker"
-
-**What happens:** The sub-broker is added to your organization hierarchy, assigned commission structures, and can begin earning commissions based on assigned rules.
+3. Fill in rule details:
+   - Slab Name (descriptive name for the rule)
+   - Transaction Start Date and End Date
+   - Brokerage Start Date and End Date
+   - AUM Start Range and End Range (in rupees)
+   - Commission basis (Percentage or Basis Points)
+   - Type (Base or Additional)
+   - Internal and External descriptions
+4. Select applicable ARN/RIA mappings
+5. Review rule summary and click "Save Rule"
+6. Set rule status to "Active" when ready to use
+
+**Result:** The brokerage rule is created in draft status and can be activated for assignment to sub-brokers.
+
+**Warning:** Once a rule is activated and assigned to sub-brokers, modifications create a new version while preserving the audit trail.
 
 ### How to Upload Scheme-Specific Commission Exceptions
 
-Override default commission rates for specific mutual fund schemes using bulk upload.
-
-1. Go to Brokerage Management → Rule Masters
-2. Select the Rule Master for exceptions
-3. Click "Scheme Exceptions" → "Bulk Upload"
-4. Click "Get Upload Template" to download Excel format
-5. Fill the Excel file with:
-   - Scheme Master ID
+Import custom commission rates for specific mutual fund schemes.
+
+1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Exception Upload
+2. Select the target brokerage rule from the dropdown
+3. Click "Get Upload Template" to download the Excel format
+4. Fill the template with:
+   - Scheme details (auto-populated in template)
    - First through Fourth Year Trail percentages
    - B30 Trail percentage
-   - Additional incentive percentage
-   - Others percentage
-6. Click "Choose File" and select your completed Excel
-7. Click "Upload File"
-8. Monitor upload status on the processing screen
-9. Review any failed entries in the error log
-
-**What happens:** Successfully uploaded schemes override default commission rates for the selected rule master. Failed entries are logged with specific error reasons.
-
-### How to Manage Sub-Broker Documents
-
-Upload and manage required documents for sub-broker compliance.
-
-1. Navigate to Sub-Broker Management
-2. Select a sub-broker from the list
-3. Click "Documents" tab
-4. Click "Add Document"
-5. Select Document Type from dropdown
-6. Choose file to upload
-7. Click "Upload Document"
-
-**What happens:** Documents are stored securely and linked to the sub-broker profile for compliance tracking.
+   - Other applicable rates
+5. Click "Upload File" and select your completed Excel file
+6. Review the upload summary showing success/failure counts
+7. Check the "Failed Records" tab for any validation errors
+8. Fix errors in your file and re-upload if needed
+
+**Result:** Scheme-specific commission rates override category-level defaults for the selected schemes. Processing status updates in real-time.
+
+### How to Set Up Branch Hierarchy
+
+Create and manage organizational branch structure with levels.
+
+1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Branch Master
+2. Click "Add Branch" 
+3. Enter branch information:
+   - Branch Name (required)
+   - Branch Code (optional, must be unique)
+   - Branch Level (hierarchy level, auto-suggested)
+4. Click "Save Branch"
+5. To create sub-branches, repeat the process with higher level numbers
+6. Use the hierarchy view to see the complete branch structure
+
+**Result:** Branch hierarchy is established for assigning sub-brokers to specific organizational units.
+
+### How to Create Designation Levels
+
+Set up job designation hierarchy for sub-broker assignments.
+
+1. Navigate to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Designation Master
+2. Click "Add Designation"
+3. Provide designation details:
+   - Designation Name (required)
+   - Designation Level (hierarchy position)
+4. Save the designation
+5. View all designations grouped by level in the hierarchy view
+
+**Result:** Designation structure is ready for sub-broker role assignments.
+
+### How to Onboard a Sub-Broker
+
+Add new sub-brokers with commission assignments and hierarchy placement.
+
+1. Go to Back Office → Brokerage Management → Sub-Brokers
+2. Click "Add Sub-Broker"
+3. Select the team member from existing advisors
+4. Configure sub-broker details:
+   - Branch assignment (from branch master)
+   - Designation assignment (from designation master)
+   - Commission category assignment
+   - Reporting hierarchy (who they report to)
+   - EUIN number (optional)
+   - Sub-broker code (optional, must be unique)
+   - GSTIN (if applicable, must be 15 digits)
+5. Assign brokerage rules from available rule masters
+6. Add sub-ARN numbers with validity dates if needed
+7. Upload supporting documents if required
+8. Review all details and click "Save Sub-Broker"
+
+**Result:** Sub-broker is onboarded with assigned commission structure and appears in the organizational hierarchy.
+
+**Warning:** Sub-broker codes and EUIN numbers must be unique across your organization.
 
 ## Rules and Limits
 
-• Slab names must be unique within your organization
-• AUM ranges cannot overlap within the same rule master for the same date period
-• Sub-broker codes must be unique across your organization
-• EUIN format must be valid if provided
-• GSTIN must be exactly 15 characters if provided
-• Branch and designation levels must be positive integers
-• Trail commission percentages cannot exceed 100%
-• File uploads are limited to Excel format (.xlsx) only
-• Maximum file size for uploads is determined by system configuration
-• Sub-brokers cannot report to themselves in the hierarchy
-• Circular reporting relationships are not allowed
-• ARN/RIA mappings are required for rule masters to be functional
-• Commission categories must have at least one trail commission configured
-• Rule masters in Active status cannot be deleted if assigned to sub-brokers
-• Branch masters cannot be deleted if assigned to active sub-brokers
-• Designation masters cannot be deleted if assigned to active sub-brokers
+- Commission category slab names must be unique within your organization
+- Trail percentages can be set to zero but cannot be negative
+- AUM ranges in brokerage rules cannot overlap for the same time period
+- Branch and designation levels must be sequential positive numbers
+- GSTIN numbers must be exactly 15 characters when provided
+- Sub-broker codes must be unique across all active sub-brokers
+- EUIN numbers must be unique if provided
+- File uploads for scheme exceptions must be in Excel (.xlsx) format only
+- Maximum file size for uploads is determined by system configuration
+- Once a brokerage rule is assigned to active sub-brokers, it cannot be deleted
+- Commission categories cannot be deleted if assigned to active sub-brokers
+- Branch and designation masters cannot be deleted if assigned to sub-brokers
+- Rule activation automatically creates audit trail entries
+- Sub-broker hierarchy changes are validated to prevent circular reporting relationships
 
 ## Common Questions
 
-**Q: Can I modify a commission structure after assigning it to sub-brokers?**
-A: Yes, but modifications to active rules create new versions while preserving historical data. Existing assignments continue using the previous version unless explicitly updated.
-
-**Q: What happens if I upload duplicate schemes in the exception file?**
-A: The system will process the last occurrence of each scheme and log warnings for duplicates. Previous entries for the same scheme will be overwritten.
-
-**Q: How do I handle sub-brokers who change reporting relationships?**
-A: Edit the sub-broker profile and change the "Reporting To" field. The system automatically updates the organizational hierarchy and creates audit logs of the change.
+**Q: Can I modify a commission category after assigning it to sub-brokers?**
+A: Yes, you can edit commission categories, but changes create a new version while preserving the audit trail. Existing assignments continue with previous rates until manually updated.
+
+**Q: What happens if I upload scheme exceptions with errors?**
+A: The system processes valid records and provides a detailed failure report for incorrect entries. You can fix errors and re-upload the corrected file without affecting successfully processed records.
 
 **Q: Can a sub-broker be assigned to multiple brokerage rules?**
-A: Yes, sub-brokers can have multiple rule assignments. The system applies rules based on transaction criteria like dates and AUM ranges.
-
-**Q: What if I need to temporarily deactivate a sub-broker?**
-A: Use the deactivation option in Sub-Broker Management. This stops new commission calculations while preserving historical data and hierarchy relationships.
+A: Yes, sub-brokers can have multiple rule assignments. The system applies rules based on priority and criteria matching during commission calculations.
+
+**Q: How do I handle overlapping date ranges in brokerage rules?**
+A: The system prevents saving rules with overlapping AUM ranges for the same date period. You must adjust either the date ranges or AUM ranges to avoid conflicts.
+
+**Q: Can I change a sub-broker's reporting hierarchy after onboarding?**
+A: Yes, but the system validates changes to prevent circular reporting relationships. All hierarchy changes are logged for audit purposes.
 
 ## Troubleshooting
 
-**Problem:** "Slab name already exists" error when creating commission category
+**Problem:** "Slab name already exists" error when creating commission categories
 **Cause:** Another commission category uses the same slab name
 **Fix:** Choose a unique slab name or check existing categories to avoid duplication
 
-**Problem:** Rule master shows "Cannot activate - validation failed"  
-**Cause:** Missing required ARN/RIA mappings or invalid date ranges
-**Fix:** Ensure ARN/RIA mappings are selected and transaction/brokerage date ranges are properly configured
-
-**Problem:** Sub-broker onboarding fails with "Team member loop detected"
-**Cause:** The selected reporting relationship creates a circular hierarchy
-**Fix:** Choose a different reporting manager that doesn't create a circular reference in the organizational chart
-
-**Problem:** Bulk upload shows "File processing failed"
-**Cause:** Excel file format errors or missing required columns
-**Fix:** Download a fresh template, ensure all required columns are present, and verify data formats match the template structure
-
-**Problem:** Commission calculations not appearing for sub-broker
-**Cause:** No active brokerage rules assigned or rules don't match transaction criteria
-**Fix:** Verify sub-broker has active rule assignments and check that transaction dates/AUM fall within rule parameters
-
-**Problem:** Cannot delete branch or designation master
-**Cause:** The item is currently assigned to one or more active sub-brokers
-**Fix:** Either reassign affected sub-brokers to different branches/designations or deactivate them before attempting deletion
+**Problem:** "AUM range overlap detected" when saving brokerage rules
+**Cause:** Another active rule has overlapping AUM ranges for the same date period
+**Fix:** Adjust AUM ranges or date periods to eliminate overlap, or deactivate conflicting rules
+
+**Problem:** "File format incorrect" during scheme exception upload
+**Cause:** File is not in .xlsx format or template structure was modified
+**Fix:** Use only the downloaded template and save as Excel (.xlsx) format
+
+**Problem:** "Team member already exists as sub-broker" error
+**Cause:** The selected advisor is already onboarded as a sub-broker
+**Fix:** Check existing sub-broker list or edit the existing sub-broker record instead
+
+**Problem:** "Branch/Designation master is mapped" when trying to delete
+**Cause:** The branch or designation is currently assigned to active sub-brokers
+**Fix:** Reassign affected sub-brokers to different branches/designations before deleting
+
+**Problem:** Commission calculations not reflecting uploaded scheme exceptions
+**Cause:** File upload may have failed processing or rules are not activated
+**Fix:** Check upload status in the file summary and ensure associated brokerage rules are activated
 
 ## Related Features
 
-This system integrates with several other IFANOW modules:
-• Team Management system for advisor and sub-broker profiles
-• Mutual Fund Transaction processing for commission calculations  
-• Client Portfolio Management for AUM calculations
-• Bank Master and Address Master for sub-broker profile completion
-• Document Management system for compliance file storage
-• User Role and Permission system for access control
-• Audit Trail system for change tracking and compliance
+- **Team Member Management:** Required for selecting advisors to convert to sub-brokers and establishing reporting hierarchies
+- **Mutual Fund Scheme Master:** Provides scheme data for exception uploads and commission calculations  
+- **Document Management:** Supports sub-broker document uploads and storage
+- **Audit Trail System:** Automatically logs all changes to commission structures and sub-broker assignments
+- **User Role Management:** Controls access to brokerage management functions based on admin roles