Royalty statement review — contracts and figures compared with care

Royance — Service Two

The reassurance that
the figures you receive
are the figures you are owed.

Royalty statements can be dense, inconsistent, and difficult to check without the right process. This service reads them carefully against your contracts — and tells you plainly what it finds.

What This Delivers

A considered second eye on every statement you receive.

Royalty statements are often prepared in formats that make comparison difficult. This service takes the time to read them properly — checking figures against what your agreements say — and presents findings in plain language.

Contract-by-contract review

Each statement is reviewed against the specific terms of the agreement it relates to — not a generic template, but your actual deal.

Discrepancy identification

Where figures in a statement do not align with contracted rates, deductions, or payment obligations, these are identified and noted clearly.

Plain-language notes

You receive notes in everyday language — not accounting shorthand. Anything that warrants attention from you or your advisors is explained clearly and without jargon.

Confidence before you act

Whether you need reassurance before accepting a payment, or preparation for a conversation with your publisher, this review gives you a solid, independent basis to work from.

A Common Uncertainty

When a statement arrives, do you know whether it is right?

Most creators receive royalty statements and accept them without a close review — not because they trust them implicitly, but because checking them properly is time-consuming and, without the right knowledge, genuinely difficult.

Statements can contain errors, unexplained deductions, or figures that simply do not reflect what a contract says. These are not always obvious at a glance, and they are rarely flagged by the party sending the statement.

A careful review can give you a much clearer sense of where you stand — and, where something does not add up, a factual basis for raising it.

What goes unchecked

  • Royalty rates applied at a lower percentage than the contract specifies

  • Deductions taken without a clear contractual basis or explanation

  • Income from certain territories or formats missing entirely from the report

  • Recoupment applied to income streams the contract did not intend it to cover

  • Currency conversions applied at rates that reduce the net amount you receive

Our Approach

A thorough, patient process — applied to your specific agreements

Statement reconciliation is detailed work. We take the time it requires — reading your contracts carefully, working through each line item, and noting our findings in terms you can act on.

01

We read your contracts first

Before we look at a single figure, we read the agreement that governs it. We note the royalty rates, permitted deductions, payment obligations, and any clauses relevant to what the statement should show.

02

Each line item is checked

We work through the statement methodically — comparing rates applied, deductions taken, territories reported, and totals arrived at against what the contract specifies.

03

Discrepancies are noted plainly

Where a figure does not align with what the contract says, we note it clearly — what the contract provides, what the statement shows, and the difference. We do not speculate about intent; we report what the documents say.

04

Your reconciliation report is delivered

You receive a clear report with our findings. It is written to be shared with your solicitor, agent, or publisher if needed — factual, measured, and easy to follow.

What Working Together Looks Like

Handled with care, delivered with clarity

The process is designed to be straightforward on your end. You share your documents; we do the careful reading.

Share your documents

Provide the statement you have received and the contract it relates to. Both are needed for a proper reconciliation. Everything is treated in strict confidence.

We carry out the review

We read the contract, work through the statement, and note our findings. The timeline depends on the complexity, but we will always give you an indication upfront.

Your report arrives

A written reconciliation report — clear, factual, and ready to share with whoever needs to see it. Yours to use as you and your advisors see fit.

What happens after the review is entirely your decision. We provide the factual picture; you and your legal or industry advisors are best placed to determine any next steps. Our role is to give you an honest account of what the documents show.

Investment

Per statement cycle — clear and straightforward

This service is priced per statement cycle rather than on a monthly retainer — you commission a review when you need one, for the statements that matter.

Statement Review & Reconciliation

$420

per statement cycle

What is included

  • Careful reading of the contract(s) governing the statement

  • Line-by-line review of the statement against contracted terms

  • Identification and plain-language description of any discrepancies found

  • Written reconciliation report suitable for sharing with advisors

  • A brief follow-up exchange if you have questions about the findings

  • Confidential handling of all documents provided

Get Started

If you have multiple statements to review within the same cycle, or a particularly complex set of agreements, please reach out before committing — we are happy to discuss what your situation requires.

How We Work

Rigorous where it matters, measured in how it is presented

The detail of reconciliation work is technical. The way we present it does not have to be.

We work from your actual documents

The review is based on the specific contract and statement you provide — not industry averages or typical deal structures. What your agreement says is the only measure we apply.

Findings stated as facts, not opinions

Our reports note what the documents show. We do not characterise discrepancies as errors, oversights, or deliberate — that is a judgement for you and your advisors.

Where we cannot determine something, we say so

Some statements contain figures we cannot verify from the documents alone. In those cases we note what is unclear and what additional information might help — we do not fill gaps with assumptions.

Useful whatever the outcome

A clean reconciliation — one where the figures match — is still a useful result. You have an independent confirmation that what you received reflects what you were owed. That reassurance has its own value.

Our Commitment

Honest findings, however they land.

If a statement reconciles cleanly, we will tell you so. If something does not add up, we will tell you that too — plainly, and with the specifics. You engage this service to get an honest account of what your documents show, and that is what we provide.

Impartial review

Our findings are based on the documents you provide. We have no interest in the outcome and no relationship with the party that issued your statement.

Follow-up included

If you have questions about the report after receiving it, we respond within two working days. The fee covers a brief follow-up exchange as standard.

Documents handled carefully

Contracts and statements are sensitive. All documents you share with us are treated in strict confidence and not retained beyond what the work requires.

If you would like to discuss your situation before deciding whether to proceed, there is no obligation in reaching out. We are happy to have a quiet preliminary conversation.

Getting Started

From your statement to a clear report

The process moves at a pace that suits the complexity of your documents.

1.

Get in touch

Use the contact form to introduce yourself and tell us briefly which statement you would like reviewed. No lengthy explanation needed at this stage.

2.

We confirm the scope

We respond within two business days. If the standard fee applies and the work can proceed, we will confirm that clearly. If the situation requires a different arrangement, we will say so honestly.

3.

You share your documents

Send us the statement and the relevant contract. We will acknowledge receipt and let you know the expected timeline for the report.

4.

Your reconciliation report arrives

A written report setting out our findings — what we checked, what we found, and anything that warrants your attention or that of your advisors.

Other Services

Explore other ways Royance can help

Depending on your situation, one of our other services may suit your needs or complement this one.

Monthly

Royalty Income Tracking

Careful tracking of royalty income across publishers, platforms, and licensees, gathered into clear monthly statements so you can see what each right earns.

$280 / month Learn more →

Quarterly

Licensing & Advance Reporting

Clear reporting on advances, recoupment, and licensing income, explained in straightforward terms so you understand your position.

$360 / quarter Learn more →

Ready When You Are

Know what your statements actually say.

If you have a statement you would like reviewed, or simply want to understand whether this service is right for your situation, we are happy to have a quiet conversation with no commitment attached.

Get in Touch