Cashier shift closing and cash reconciliation without shortages

Closing a shift means matching the cash drawer and card terminal totals with what the POS recorded, then documenting any difference before handover. With a fixed daily routine, most unexplained shortages disappear.

Why shortages happen

Usually unrecorded returns, manual discounts, split cash/card payments, or expenses paid from the drawer without a voucher.

Daily closing steps

1Start each shift with a fixed opening float recorded in the system.
2Record any cash taken from the drawer as a payment voucher.
3Count cash physically before looking at the system total.
4Match card sales in the POS with the terminal's settlement report.
5Document the difference and its reason; a supervisor approves before the next shift.

What owners should review weekly

Returns and discounts per cashier, how often differences repeat, and cash vs card mix per branch. Patterns matter more than a single day.