The expense ratio is the ratio derived in order to find the cost of a company to maintain a mutual fund. It is derived annually. One can calculate the expense ratio by dividing the total expenses of a year by the value of the asset.

Portfolio transaction and/or brokerage fees are not charged in expense ratios. Expense ratios are derived, almost, on everyday calculations.
Since there are various types of funds, the types of expenses also differ according to them. A huge share of it goes to the manager and with the rest of the amount, other costs are covered. They can be taxes, accounting, 12b-1 fees, other management and administration fees, etc.
Portfolio transaction and/or brokerage fees are not charged in expense ratios. Expense ratios are derived, almost, on everyday calculations. The expense ratios can be significantly more than the average because it needs to meet the set base of the assets. However, when the asset grows the expense decrease because of the widespread of the asset’s funds.
Expense Ratio: Annual Report
The expense ratio is also known and the audited expense ratio. The annual report of the audited expense ratios shows the amount of actual fees to be charged over a fiscal year. The expense ratio shows the percentage of the assets to be taken away for the funds during every fiscal year. It includes fees such as 12b-1, administration, management, operation costs, etc. The expense ratio is taken away from the net average assets of the funds and is calculated daily. The expense ratio his higher when the assets of the funds are smaller so to expenses and when the fund’s net assets grow, the expense ratio slowly starts to decrease and eventually diminish as the expenses are widely spread over.
Expense Ratio: Prospectus
The prospectus expense ratio is taken from the prospectus of the funds. It calculates the anticipated funds for a company for the coming fiscal year, which will be taken care of by the shareholders of the fund. It does not include expense offsets, reimbursements or waivers. Net prospectus expense ratio calculates the expenses for the future fiscal year.
Fees such as 12b-1, administration, management, operation costs, etc. are included in the percentage of the assets to be taken away for the funds during every fiscal year. Fees such as portfolio transaction, costs for brokerage, initial/deferred charges of sales are not inclusive of this deduction. Same as the audited expense ratio, The expense ratio his higher when the assets of the funds are smaller so to expenses and when the fund’s net assets grow, the expense ratio slowly starts to decrease and eventually diminish as the expenses are widely spread over.
Image credit: cdn.patch.com