Read this fictional settlement from top to bottom
This invented weekly statement matches the settlement calculator defaults. It illustrates cash reconciliation, not a real carrier’s terms.
| Line | Cash effect | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Linehaul + surcharge + accessorials | $5,000 + $700 + $250 = $5,950 | Load IDs and approved extras |
| Carrier charges | −$900 | Contract and charge period |
| Advances and fuel-card charges | −$1,400 | Receipts; do not deduct fuel twice |
| Escrow withholding | −$200 | Escrow balance and release terms |
| Other chargebacks | −$100 | Supporting invoice |
| Cash before owner tax reserve | $3,350 | $5,950 − $2,600 |
| Entered 20% planning reserve | −$670 | Owner allocation, not carrier tax calculation |
| Planning cash remaining | $2,680 | $3,350 − $670 |
At 2,800 all miles, planning cash is $0.9571 per mile. Reproduce it in the settlement calculator.
Cash withheld is not always an expense
An advance settles cash already received. A fuel-card charge may be an operating cost, but count its receipt only once. Escrow may remain an asset even while reducing spendable cash. Owner tax reserve is a transfer for planning, not final tax liability. These distinctions are why the $2,680 figure is not automatically accounting profit.
Investigate a mismatch before changing the estimate
Match each revenue line to a rate confirmation and each deduction to its supporting document. Flag timing differences, disputed chargebacks and missing accessorial approvals separately. Compare completed-trip costs with the original load estimate, then use the weekly review to update the cost floor. Keep the issued carrier statement as the controlling record.
Continue the owner-operator workflow
Return to the owner-operator calculator hub to connect the cost floor, quote, trip estimate and completed-week review.