The calculator settings in VineCalc® are where the magic happens. This is where you'll define exactly how interest should be calculated, what expenses should be included, and how everything maps to your Filevine fields. Understanding these settings and how they affect your interest calculations is crucial for getting the most out of VineCalc.
Understanding VineCalc Calculations
Before diving into specific settings, it's important to understand how VineCalc handles interest calculations. VineCalc runs automatically on the first of each month, applying your configured settings to calculate interest on eligible expenses. The system is designed to be both powerful and flexible, allowing you to precisely control how interest is calculated and applied.
Configuration Areas
Report Selection and Field Mapping
This foundational step connects VineCalc to your Filevine data:
Project Type Selection
Choose your target project type
Select the expense section
Link your previously configured report
Field Mapping
Map each required field to its Filevine counterpart:
Original Amount Due
Assessed Interest Amount
Interest-Adjusted Amount Due
Expense Date
Interest Rate
Pro Tip: Double-check your field mapping carefully - this is the most common source of calculation issues.
Interest Configuration
This is where you define how interest should be calculated:
Interest Type Selection VineCalc offers two interest calculation methods:
Simple Interest:
Calculated only on the original principal
Interest amount remains constant over time
Formula: Principal × Rate × Time
Best for: Short-term interest tracking or statutory requirements
Compound Interest:
Calculated on both principal and accumulated interest
Interest amount grows over time
Formula: Principal × (1 + Rate)^Time
Best for: Long-term interest accumulation or financial institution requirements
Interest Rate Setup
Choose a standard interest rate
Calculation Schedule
Automatic monthly processing
Runs on the first of each month
Results update automatically in Filevine
No manual intervention required
Exclusion Rules
Control which expenses should be included in calculations:
Phase Exclusions
Select project phases to ignore
Common examples:
Archived/Closed phases
Administrative/Test phases
Non-billable phases
Expense Type Exclusions
Choose expense types to skip
Common examples:
Internal expenses
Non-interest-bearing costs
Administrative fees
Best Practices
Configuration Management
Maintain clear records of your settings:
Documentation
Record all configuration decisions
Note exclusion rationale
Document interest rate choices
Keep calculation method justification
Regular Review
Audit settings monthly
Verify exclusion rules
Review interest rates
Check calculation accuracy
Change Management
Track setting modifications
Test changes before applying
Document update rationale
Communicate changes to team
Test Calculations
After saving your calculator configuration, VineCalc provides a powerful verification tool:
Running a Test
Save Your Settings
Ensure all settings are properly saved
Click "Run Test"
Located next to the Save button
Initiates a test calculation
Processes current expense data
Review Results
Test results delivered via email to the user who requests the test
Includes detailed CSV report
Shows calculation breakdown for each expense
Getting Help
If you encounter issues not covered here, contact our support team:
Email: products@vinetegrate.com
Include specific error details
Provide example calculations
Share relevant screenshots
Remember, VineCalc is designed to be robust and reliable, but proper configuration and maintenance are key to optimal performance.