Counting the drawer and closing the shift
You need this article at the end of every shift: count the cash, enter the counted amount, and understand the difference the system shows before locking.
On this page
When do you close a shift?
A shift is the period during which one cashier works on one cashbox. It opens at the start of work (see Signing in and opening the shift) and closes at the end, or when the drawer is handed to another cashier. A cashier cannot have two open shifts at the same time; trying to open a second one shows the message ERR_SESSION_OPEN.
Closing is not just a count: when the shift is locked, the system fixes the expected cash, the counted cash and the difference permanently, and creates an accounting entry if there is a difference. So count the drawer carefully before pressing Close.
How does Sahl compute the expected cash?
Expected cash is what should be in the drawer if nothing went wrong. It is computed from posted documents, not from the cashier's estimate:
| Element | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Opening float | What was recorded at opening. If left blank or zero, the system took the ledger balance of the cashier's cashbox at that moment. |
| + Cash receipts | The cash lines of posted receipt vouchers linked to this shift (every cash sale creates a receipt voucher). |
| - Cash refunds | The cash lines of posted payment vouchers linked to the shift (returns refunded in cash). |
Cards, cheques and credit sales are not part of the expected cash because they are not in the drawer; they appear in the shift detail as separate figures.
Tip
While the shift is open, the app shows "Expected cash now", updated with every invoice. Compare it with the drawer at midday if you want to catch a mistake early.
Closing from the POS app
- Open the Shifts screen in the app and pick the open shift (or enter it from the current shift bar).
- The "Cash reconciliation (drawer)" card shows the opening float and the expected cash now.
- Count the cash physically in the drawer, including the opening float, and enter the total in "Counted cash".
- Press "Close shift". A confirmation appears: the expected cash and the shortage or surplus will be fixed and the shift locked permanently.
- After confirming, the shift is locked and the reconciliation card shows the final values: opening float, expected, counted, and shortage or surplus.
If the device is offline at closing time, the close is saved and sent with the next sync (see How Sahl works offline).
Closing from the web panel
A manager or accountant can close an open shift from the panel, which is useful when the cashier left without closing:
- From the "Point of sale" menu open "Shifts".
- Pick the shift whose status is "open". A dialog "Close shift #number" appears with "Expected cash in the cashbox".
- Enter the "Counted cash". The system immediately shows "Difference:" in green when it is zero and in red when there is a shortage or surplus.
- Press "Close".
This action needs the permission to update shifts (sales.sessions.update). See Roles.
What does the shift detail show?
A closed shift opens read-only and shows in the panel: cashier, opened and closed times, number of invoices, total sales, opening cash, expected, counted, and difference. In the app the shift screen also shows:
- Shift data: cashier, device, warehouse, cashbox.
- Shift invoices and returns, with cancelled ones marked "cancelled" and excluded from the counters.
- Receipt vouchers with the payment method of each (cash, card, or "other" when one voucher mixes methods).
- Receipts breakdown: cash, card, other methods, and the returns total.
Warning
Closing is final. A closed shift cannot be reopened and the counted amount cannot be edited after locking. If you find a counting mistake after closing, fix it with a receipt or payment voucher on the cashbox with a clear note, not with a new shift and made-up numbers.
What happens to the difference after closing is detailed in Where shift differences are posted, and moving the cash to the main safe in Handing over cash.
Frequently asked questions
Do I count the opening float as part of the counted cash?
Yes. Counted cash is everything in the drawer at closing time, and the system compares it with the expected amount, which already includes the opening float.
The cashier left without closing the shift. What do I do?
Close it from the web panel: Point of sale, then Shifts, pick the open shift and enter the counted cash. You need the permission to update shifts.
Do card sales count toward the expected cash?
No. Card amounts go to the card clearing account and appear in the shift as a separate figure. Expected cash counts cash only.