Cash Reconciliation: How to Close a Shift Properly
Closing a shift isn't just clicking a button. There's a count and verify process that keeps your cash data accurate.
Why This Matters
Without reconciliation, you don't know if the cash in the drawer matches what should be there. "Seems about right" isn't a reliable answer.
Physical Count
Remove all cash, count by denomination, write the total. This is what you input as "actual balance" when closing the shift.
System Calculates Expected
The system already knows: opening balance + cash received - change given + top-ups - withdrawals = expected balance.
Compare and Note
The difference between actual and expected is variance. Add closing notes if there's context — for example, "gave candy instead of small change, no coins available."
Frequency
Every shift change. Even with one shift per day, close it at end of day. Don't leave shifts open for days — the data becomes meaningless.