Compare Brokerage Fees by Account, 5-Step Excel Template to Annualize Costs

Just one condition!!! Prepare to collect the 'actual costs' for each account you want to compare.

You need to collect them because fee items vary by name and structure.

Retail investor: "I want to see which is cheapest at a glance!"

Yes, one Excel sheet is enough. Follow along.

First subheading: The answer is '5 steps', start now

→ 1. List the accounts

→ 2. Organize comparison items

→ 3. Enter a standard order and balance scenario

→ 4. Put in cost formulas

→ 5. Compare total costs by scenario

(Note) Following these 5 steps in order lets you compare annual costs by account.

Glossary: Trading fee → the fee charged per order.

What items should you collect?

Trading fee

Basic transfer and account maintenance fees

Currency conversion fee (for overseas stocks)

Loan or margin interest (if applicable)

Others (regulatory fees, data fees, etc.)

(Note) Item names differ by broker, so record everything.

How to structure the Excel sheet?

Put account names in the left column.

Put comparison items in the top row.

Place a 'standard scenario' in the middle area (monthly trades, average trade amount, balances, etc.).

Make the calculation area compute annualized costs by item × scenario.

Glossary: Annualized → monthly cost converted to 12 months.

What formulas should you use?

Trading fees: number of trades × (trade amount × fee rate or fixed amount)

Currency conversion cost: conversion amount × conversion fee rate

Interest cost: average balance × annual interest rate

Total cost: sum of annualized values by item

(Note) Formula copying in Excel is essential. Change one cell and the whole sheet updates.

What to watch when verifying?

Fee tables often show 'minimum' or 'preferential' conditions.

Check whether fees change with trading frequency.

Interest rates and preferential rates can change, so confirm with the broker disclosures.

Glossary: Preferential fee → a lower fee when certain conditions (events, balances, etc.) are met.

So what to do first

→ 1. Choose 3 to 5 accounts to compare and download the 'fee table' PDF from their terms.

→ 2. Enter account names, items, and a standard scenario in Excel (monthly trades 4 times, average trade amount 500,000 KRW, etc.).

→ 3. Add formulas and sort by the 'Total Cost' column to see annual cost rankings.

Please use this as a reference only.

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※ This article is for information only and is not investment solicitation.

※ Investment decisions and responsibility are the investor's own.

※ Figures are as of the time of writing and may change.

This article is for information only and is not investment solicitation.