How to Balance Your Register at the End of a Shift
Learn how to balance the register in your multi-service store at shift close with a simple formula, 6 clear steps and an example with numbers.
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In a multi-service store, money transfers, checks, bill payments, deposits and expenses all go through the same drawer. Balancing the register at the end of the shift tells you how much you really earned.
The formula
Expected cash = Starting cash + Cash in − Cash out
Over/Short = Counted cash − Expected cash
6 steps
- Close the shift before counting. Don’t record new transactions while you count.
- Confirm the starting cash matches what the previous shift left.
- Gather every transaction of the shift: sales, transfers, checks, payments, deposits and expenses.
- Calculate the expected cash with the formula.
- Count the physical cash by denomination.
- Compare and document. Write down who closed, the time, the difference and its explanation.
Example
Illustrative example: starting cash $200 + cash in $4,790 − cash out $3,945 = $1,045 expected. If you counted $1,060, you are over by +$15. If you counted $1,030, you are short by −$15.
Common mistakes
- Counting while transactions are still being recorded.
- Having the same person count and approve.
- “Adjusting” the number so it comes out to zero.
If a difference shows up, don’t leave it for tomorrow: review the 10 most common reasons a register comes up short or over. And for the count itself, see how to count bills and coins without mistakes.
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- cash
- closing
- register