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Processing Cash Payments

Handle cash transactions confidently with proper procedures for receiving payment, calculating change, and maintaining accurate records.

Written by Hayden Zammit Meaney
Updated over 2 months ago

Processing Cash Payments

Cash remains a popular payment method, especially for walk-in customers and smaller purchases. This guide covers how to handle cash transactions smoothly and keep your till balanced.

Processing a Cash Payment

Once you've added all items to the cart:

Step 1: Select Cash Payment

  • Review the cart total

  • Click the Cash payment button

  • The cash payment screen opens

Step 2: Enter Amount Received

  • Type the amount the customer has given you

  • Use the quick-select buttons for common amounts ($20, $50, $100)

  • The system automatically calculates change due

Example:

  • Sale total: $47.50

  • Customer gives: $50.00

  • Change due: $2.50

Step 3: Confirm and Complete

  • Verify the change amount is correct

  • Click Complete Sale

  • Count out the change to the customer

  • The till drawer opens (if connected)

Step 4: Provide Receipt

  • A receipt prompt appears

  • Choose Print Receipt or Email Receipt

  • If the customer doesn't need a receipt, click No Receipt

Cash Handling Best Practices

Receiving Cash

  • Count notes in front of the customer

  • Place the customer's cash on the till ledge (not in the drawer) until change is given

  • State the amount received aloud: "That's fifty dollars"

Giving Change

  • Count change back to the customer from the sale amount up

  • Start with coins, then notes

  • State the total as you hand over change: "And two-fifty makes fifty"

Till Management

  • Keep notes facing the same direction

  • Larger denominations at the back of the drawer

  • Regularly remove excess cash to a secure location

Recording Cash Accurately

Tourism Accelerator tracks your cash transactions automatically:
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  • Each cash sale is recorded with the exact amount received and change given

  • Your expected till balance updates in real-time

  • Discrepancies are flagged during end-of-day reconciliation


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Handling Exact Change

When a customer pays the exact amount:

  • Enter the sale total as the amount received

  • Change will show as $0.00

  • Click Complete Sale

Mixed Denomination Payments

Customers sometimes pay with a mix of notes and coins:

  • Accept all the cash first

  • Count the total carefully

  • Enter the combined amount in the payment screen

  • Process as normal

What If You Don't Have Enough Change?

If your till is running low on change:

  • Apologise to the customer

  • Offer to process as a card payment instead

  • Or ask a colleague to provide change from another till

  • Consider doing a cash drop and float top-up during quiet periods

Cash Float Setup

Start each day with a consistent cash float:

  • Count your opening float before the first sale

  • Record the opening balance in the system

  • This establishes your baseline for reconciliation

To record your opening float:

  • Go to Point of Sale > Till Settings

  • Click Open Till

  • Enter your float amount for each denomination

  • Click Confirm

Cash Drops During the Day

For security, remove excess cash periodically:

  • Click Cash Management in the POS menu

  • Select Cash Drop

  • Count and enter the amount being removed

  • Store cash securely

  • The expected till balance adjusts accordingly

Troubleshooting

The till drawer won't open

  • Check the drawer is connected properly

  • You can manually open most drawers with a key

  • Contact support if the issue persists

I entered the wrong amount received

  • If you haven't completed the sale, click Cancel and re-enter

  • If completed, the transaction is recorded but your till will balance at end-of-day

Customer disputes the change

  • Politely recount the change together

  • If there's a genuine error, adjust and note it

  • Significant discrepancies should be reported to a manager

Next Steps

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