> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fire.rest/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cash count

> Count the cash in the drawer in the middle of the shift, without closing the register, and compare what you counted against what there should be.

A shortage that only shows up at closing can no longer be explained: it happened at some point during the shift and nobody knows when. The **cash count** counts the drawer in the middle of the shift, without closing the register, and compares it against what there should be. If there is a difference, you see it while you can still find out what happened.

<Note>
  **The minimum you need to know**

  * The cash count **does not close the register** or move money: it only records what was counted.
  * It is **blind**: the cashier counts without seeing how much there should be. The expected amount appears after recording.
  * It requires a manager's code from **Access → Cash count**. Each code is good for one cash count.
</Note>

## Prerequisites

* An open register. See [Open the register](/en/manuals/pos/open-register).
* A manager to generate the code. See [Authorization codes](/en/manuals/pos/authorization-codes).

## 1. Enter the manager's code

Tap your name at the top right to open **Settings** and choose **Cash count**. Ask the manager for a code from **Access → Cash count**, type the 6 digits and tap **Continue**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/firepos/xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh/images/manuals/pos/cash-count/01-cash-count-code.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh&q=85&s=6c80c9f1cd8b52a73d1f7a00390d3423" alt="Cash count window with the 6-digit authorization code typed" width="3200" height="2000" data-path="images/manuals/pos/cash-count/01-cash-count-code.png" />
</Frame>

## 2. Count the cash

Count **all** the cash in the drawer, including the opening float. The window does not show how much there should be: that way the count does not bend to fit the expected number.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/firepos/xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh/images/manuals/pos/cash-count/02-blind-count.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh&q=85&s=a924ceb4463013cff94f7ecd45b23274" alt="Blind count: Counted cash at zero, with no expected amount in sight" width="3200" height="2000" data-path="images/manuals/pos/cash-count/02-blind-count.png" />
</Frame>

Tap each bill and coin you count and the total adds up on its own. With **−** you remove one and with **Clear** you go back to zero. You can also type the total with the keypad.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/firepos/xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh/images/manuals/pos/cash-count/03-counted.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh&q=85&s=fbe5af878a2a733d11c135369e776d4e" alt="Counted cash with the bills and coins buttons: 8 pieces adding up to $ 179.700" width="3200" height="2000" data-path="images/manuals/pos/cash-count/03-counted.png" />
</Frame>

## 3. Record the cash count

Tap **Record cash count**. Only now does the POS show the opening float, cash sales, the expected amount, what was counted and the difference, and it prints the receipt. The title says **The cash count matches**, **Cash count with overage** or **Cash count with shortage**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/firepos/xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh/images/manuals/pos/cash-count/04-result.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh&q=85&s=6539aeeabf7d5c22d9922aef05091731" alt="Cash count result: expected $ 179.700, counted $ 179.700, difference $ 0" width="992" height="1024" data-path="images/manuals/pos/cash-count/04-result.png" />
</Frame>

Tap **Done** to go back to selling. **Reprint** prints another copy of the receipt.

<Tip>
  If the result says the register stays open, you are done: keep selling as usual.
</Tip>

***

## How it is calculated

* **Expected** = opening float + cash sales − withdrawals.
* **Difference** = counted − expected.

There is no margin: if the difference is zero, the cash count **matches**; if it is positive, there is an **overage**, and if it is negative, a **shortage**.

## See your cash counts in the POS

In **Settings → Cash counts** you have your cash counts on this register, with the expected amount, what was counted and the difference for each one. At the top you choose **Today**, **7 days** or **30 days**, and each cash count has its own **Reprint** button.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/firepos/xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh/images/manuals/pos/cash-count/05-pos-cash-counts.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh&q=85&s=ef1bc7ead94838d8bfec4db80c15ca53" alt="POS Cash counts screen with a balanced cash count and its Reprint button" width="3200" height="2000" data-path="images/manuals/pos/cash-count/05-pos-cash-counts.png" />
</Frame>

## Review cash counts in the backoffice

In the backoffice, **Fire POS → Cash counts** shows the cash counts of the store selected at the top right: date, cashier, terminal, who authorized it, expected, counted and difference. With **Only with difference** you keep the overages and shortages.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/firepos/xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh/images/manuals/pos/cash-count/06-backoffice-cash-counts.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh&q=85&s=6dd3f38dd7baa35a1b63498e535c24ee" alt="Backoffice Cash counts section with one balanced cash count and one with a shortage" width="3200" height="2000" data-path="images/manuals/pos/cash-count/06-backoffice-cash-counts.png" />
</Frame>

Tap a row to see the detail. If the cashier counted with the bills and coins buttons, the **Count by bill and coin** appears.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/firepos/xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh/images/manuals/pos/cash-count/07-backoffice-detail.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=xxTWfUruC_60F8Qh&q=85&s=37a59023e4a7ba20b6eb2534bb1ec89a" alt="Cash count detail with the count by bill and coin" width="2508" height="952" data-path="images/manuals/pos/cash-count/07-backoffice-detail.png" />
</Frame>

## Recipes

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Surprise cash count in the middle of the shift">
    1. Generate a code from **Access → Cash count**.
    2. Ask the cashier to open **Settings → Cash count** and type the code.
    3. Let them count without telling them how much there should be.
    4. Look at the result in the POS or in **Fire POS → Cash counts**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Review the week's shortages">
    1. In the backoffice, open **Fire POS → Cash counts**.
    2. Choose **Last 7 days**.
    3. Turn on **Only with difference**.
    4. Tap each row to see who counted and who authorized it.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Mistakes that cost money

<Warning>
  **Counting without the opening float.** The expected amount includes the float the register was opened with. If you leave it out, the cash count comes out with a shortage equal to the float.
</Warning>

<Warning>
  **Telling the cashier how much there should be.** The cash count is blind so the count does not bend to fit the number. If the cashier knows the expected amount before counting, the cash count stops detecting differences.
</Warning>

<Warning>
  **Treating the cash count as a close.** The register stays open after the cash count. At the end of the shift you still have to close it. See [Close the register](/en/manuals/pos/register-close).
</Warning>

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="It says “That code was already used for another cash count”">
    Each code is good for one cash count. Ask the manager for a new one from **Access → Cash count**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="It says “This code is not valid for this cash count”">
    The code is for another operation, such as opening the drawer or cancelling. Ask the manager for one from **Access → Cash count**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="It says “The cash count was recorded, but it could not be printed”">
    The cash count is saved. Check the printer and tap **Reprint** on the result or in **Settings → Cash counts**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I do several cash counts in the same shift?">
    Yes. Each one asks for its own code and is recorded separately.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the cash count change the register close?">
    No. The close does its own count and compares it against the expected amount for the whole shift. The cash count only leaves a record of that moment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The count by bill and coin does not appear in the detail">
    It appears only if the cashier counted with the bills and coins buttons and the total was not changed by hand afterwards.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
