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

# Cash Drawer & Shifts

> Manage cash handling, drawer counts, and staff shifts.

Even in a card-first world, **cash handling** is a critical part of tour merch operations. Fanhaven tracks every dollar in and out of the cash drawer and ties it to staff shifts for accountability.

## Cash drawer

### Starting cash

At the beginning of each shift, the cash drawer starts with a set amount of **starting cash** (your float). This is configured in the POS settings.

### During the event

As cash sales come in, the POS tracks:

* **Cash received** — Total cash taken in from sales
* **Cash refunds** — Cash returned for refunds
* **Expected total** — Starting cash + cash received - cash refunds

### Drawer counts

Staff can perform a **drawer count** at any time to verify the physical cash matches the expected amount.

<Steps>
  ### Open the cash drawer

  From the POS settings or shift screen, select "Count Drawer."

  ### Count the cash

  Count all bills and coins and enter the total.

  ### Compare to expected

  The POS shows the expected amount and any variance (over or short).
</Steps>

<Warning>Always perform a drawer count at the end of every shift. Unexplained variances should be investigated promptly.</Warning>

## Shifts

A **shift** represents a staff member's working session on the POS. Shifts track:

| Data point        | Description                               |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Start time**    | When the staff member started their shift |
| **End time**      | When the shift was closed                 |
| **Transactions**  | All sales processed during the shift      |
| **Cash sales**    | Total cash received                       |
| **Card sales**    | Total card revenue                        |
| **Tips**          | Tips collected during the shift           |
| **Drawer counts** | Cash counts performed during the shift    |

### Opening a shift

A shift opens automatically when a staff member signs into the POS and selects their event and booth. Alternatively, shifts can be opened manually.

### Closing a shift

<Steps>
  ### End sales

  Stop processing new transactions.

  ### Count the drawer

  Perform a final cash drawer count.

  ### Close the shift

  The POS closes the shift and generates a shift summary with all key metrics.
</Steps>

### Auto-close

If a staff member forgets to close their shift, Fanhaven will automatically close it after a configured period of inactivity.

## Dashboard view

Tour managers can view shift data from the dashboard:

* **POS → Shifts** — View all shifts across the tour, filter by event, booth, or staff member
* **POS → Cash Drawer** — See cash drawer history and variance reports

## Cash reconciliation

At the end of each event, compare:

1. **Expected cash** (from POS records) vs. **Actual cash** (from physical count)
2. **Variance** — Any difference indicates an error, theft, or uncounted transaction

<Tip>Small variances (under \$5) are common and usually due to rounding or miscounted change. Consistent or large variances warrant investigation.</Tip>