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

# Cash register sessions and denominations

> Open a cash register session, record cash movements during a shift, count denominations at closing, and configure denomination values and force-open rules.

The cash register module gives cashiers a dedicated session separate from — but linked to — the active shift. Every cash movement (opening float, sales, cash in, cash out, safe drop) is tracked against the session so the drawer count at closing matches what the system expects. Managers can then approve or reject the counted session from the Approvals screen.

<Note>
  The cash register module is available in the web admin browser dashboard. Cashier sessions are different from shifts: a shift tracks all sales and expenses for a working period, while a register session tracks physical cash in the drawer.
</Note>

## Required permissions

| Action                                                              | Permission needed                                           |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Open a session, record cash movements, count denominations at close | Staff with the **Open Cash Register** permission            |
| Add, edit, or deactivate denomination values                        | Staff with the **Manage Cash Denominations** permission     |
| Configure force-open rules                                          | Staff with the **Manage Cash Register Settings** permission |

***

## Opening a register session

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Cash Register > Cashier">
    Open the **Cash Register** section from the sidebar, then select **Cashier**. If you see an "Open Register" prompt, no session is active yet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the opening float">
    Type the amount of cash you are placing in the drawer at the start of the session. This is your **Opening Float**. The value must be zero or greater.

    If a shift is currently open, the system links the register session to that shift and aligns the opening float with the shift's starting cash.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm to open">
    Click **Open Register**. The session dashboard appears showing your opening float, current expected cash, and a running total of sales and movements.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Recording cash movements

While the session is open you can record three types of cash movement. All entries require an amount and accept an optional reason note (up to 255 characters).

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Cash In — adding cash to the drawer">
    Use **Cash In** when you put additional cash into the drawer for any reason other than a sale (for example, receiving change from a supplier, topping up float).

    * **Amount:** minimum 0.01
    * **Reason:** optional, up to 255 characters

    Click **Record Cash In** to save. The session totals update immediately.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cash Out — removing cash from the drawer">
    Use **Cash Out** when you physically take cash out of the drawer (for example, paying a small expense, settling a petty cash request).

    * **Amount:** minimum 0.01; cannot exceed the current expected cash in the drawer
    * **Reason:** optional, up to 255 characters

    Click **Record Cash Out** to save.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Safe Drop — moving cash to the safe">
    Use **Safe Drop** to record transferring cash from the drawer to a safe mid-session without closing. Like Cash Out, the amount is validated against expected cash so you cannot drop more than is in the drawer.

    * **Amount:** minimum 0.01; cannot exceed the current expected cash
    * **Reason:** optional, up to 255 characters

    Click **Record Safe Drop** to save.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  Always enter a reason for Cash Out and Safe Drop entries. The reason appears in the Discrepancy Report and Cash In/Out Report, making it much easier for managers to reconcile the drawer at review time.
</Tip>

***

## Closing the register session

Closing the session requires you to count every denomination in the drawer. The system compares your count against the expected cash and flags any difference.

<Warning>
  You must have denominations configured before you can close a session. If none are set up, the system displays a "No Denominations Configured" error. See [Configuring denominations](#configuring-denominations) below.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start closing">
    On the Cashier screen, click **Close Register**. The closing form loads the active denominations for your branch.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Count each denomination">
    For each denomination shown, enter how many notes or coins of that value are in the drawer. The form calculates a running **Counted Cash** total as you type.

    The session summary shows:

    * **Opening Float** — the amount entered when the session was opened
    * **Expected Cash** — opening float plus cash sales and Cash In, minus Cash Out and Safe Drop
    * **Counted Cash** — the total you are counting right now
    * **Difference** — Counted Cash minus Expected Cash (positive = overage, negative = shortage)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a closing note (optional)">
    You can add a note that will appear on the session record and in the Approvals screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit the closing">
    Click **Submit**. The session moves to **pending approval** status. A manager must approve or reject it from Cash Register > Approvals before it is finalised.

    If a shift is linked to this session, the shift is also closed at this point.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Configuring denominations

Denominations are the note and coin values your staff count when closing a session. You need at least one active denomination before anyone can close a register session.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Cash Register > Denominations">
    Open **Cash Register** from the sidebar, then select **Denominations**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a denomination">
    Click **Add Denomination** and enter the value (for example, 50, 10, 0.5, 0.05). Save to add it to the list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate or deactivate values">
    Toggle the **Active** switch next to any denomination. Inactive denominations do not appear in the closing form. This lets you hide coin values that are not used at a particular branch without deleting them.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit an existing denomination">
    Click the edit icon next to any denomination to update its value or active status.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Denominations can be set at the restaurant level (shared across branches) or scoped to a specific branch. Contact your account owner if you are unsure which scope applies to your setup.
</Note>

***

## Cash register settings

The settings screen controls which staff roles are required to open a register session as soon as they log in, before they can do anything else.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Cash Register > Settings">
    Open **Cash Register** from the sidebar, then select **Settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable force-open after login">
    Toggle **Force Open After Login** on. When enabled, any staff member whose role is listed below will be prompted to open a register session immediately after logging in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the roles">
    In the **Selected Roles** list, tick every role that should trigger the force-open prompt. Super Admin is excluded and cannot be added to this list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save**. The setting takes effect at the next login for the affected roles.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Enabling force-open for your Cashier role ensures no orders are taken without an active cash session, which keeps your drawer reconciliation accurate at the end of every shift.
</Tip>

***

## Related

* [Opening, closing, and reviewing shifts](/operations/shifts)
* [Cash approvals, dashboard, and register reports](/operations/cash-approvals-and-reports)
* [Opening and closing shifts on the ePOS app](/epos-app/shifts-and-cash)