Abstract: The invention is a method for franking, accounting, and billing of mail pieces and services. The method is based upon the ability of a data processing system to communicate with a postage meter through the use of a meter linking device. Additionally, an application program within the data processing system, in which a customer account can be established and/or altered, is initialized. Customer account data is then entered into the application. Once the customer account has been established or verified, a transaction is initiated. First, the mail pieces to be placed into the mail stream are weighed on a weighing scale. The weight is converted using an appropriate rate table so as to determine the amount of postage to be franked by the postage meter. The postage meter performs a franking of the mail piece and the system records the amount of postage applied; further, the system calculates any discounts or surcharges that are applicable to this customer's account.