Most businesses assume a 3% surcharge is the only way to recover credit card processing fees.

It is not.

The Inclusive Costing Guide introduces a disciplined pricing methodology rooted in cost accounting principles, not checkout penalties. Instead of externalizing payment costs at the point of sale, this framework shows how to:

• Identify and reduce inflated processor markups

• Calculate a blended net effective rate across all payment methods

• Apply a compliant gross-up adjustment to preserve margins

• Recover 100% of payment costs without surcharge complexity

• Eliminate compliance exposure tied to state and card-brand rules

As outlined in the guide, Inclusive Costing Guide, most surcharge programs overstate actual blended costs. Debit transactions can cost as little as 0.25%, while the average blended rate is closer to 1.5% to 2.0%. Yet many businesses impose a flat 3% fee, creating pricing distortion, customer friction, and regulatory risk.

Inclusive Costing treats payment acceptance like any other operating expense. Costs are reduced first, then absorbed through disciplined pricing, protecting both margin and reputation.

For CPAs, this represents:

• A defensible advisory conversation

• A value-add service for clients frustrated with rising processor fees

• A path to measurable cost recovery without compliance headaches

Inside this guide, you will discover:

• Why “no-fee processing” does not exist

• How surcharge programs often inflate actual blended costs Inclusive Costing Guide

• The compliance risks tied to card-brand and state rules

• The Inclusive Costing formula and gross-up calculation

• How to help clients recover processing expenses without damaging customer trust

Download the Inclusive Costing Guide and help your clients recover payment costs the disciplined way.