Location audit
Cash Register Audit Checklist
- Who checks
- Store manager, head cashier or district manager
- When
- Unannounced, 1–2 times a week at a random register, and at every shift handover
- Time
- ~30 min · 28 items
| Location | Date and time | Inspector | Signature |
Most cash losses aren't big thefts but small, systematic breaches: a register left unlocked while the cashier steps away, voids with no approval, overages nobody removes, and change counted out by eye. Regular surprise checks show whether the rules are followed when the cashier isn't expecting it.
Start unannounced: first watch 3–5 transactions from a distance, then step in and count the drawer with the cashier present and on camera. Review void and refund reports in the system for the whole shift. Discuss results with the cashier on the spot and document any variance.
Cashier station
-
1
The cashier is logged in under their own ID or card The name on the register screen or report matches the person at the till; working under someone else's login is a violation.☐ Yes☐ No
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2
When stepping away, the cashier locks the session and closes the drawer Observe or ask them to demonstrate: the register is locked, the drawer closed, the key or card stays with the cashier.☐ Yes☐ No
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3
The cashier's personal money and belongings are not at the register Bag, wallet and personal cash are in the locker; phone per company policy, but never in the cash drawer or on the belt.☐ Yes☐ No
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4
The cash drawer stays closed between transactions The drawer opens only to take payment and is closed immediately, never left ajar.☐ Yes☐ No
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5
No written passwords or supervisor cards are left at the register No notes with codes under the keyboard, on the monitor or in the drawer; the manager's override card is not left with the cashier.☐ Yes☐ No
Cash
-
6
A surprise count matches the register report Run an X report and count the drawer with the cashier present and on camera; the total equals cash per the report plus the float.☐ Yes☐ No
-
7
Variance found in the surprise count, amount Record the overage or shortage; zero if there is none. An overage is as much a breach as a shortage.
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8
Cash in the drawer does not exceed the set limit Cash above the limit has been dropped to the safe on time; the cashier knows the limit.☐ Yes☐ No
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9
Cash drops and pay-ins are recorded in the register Every drop is processed as a register transaction, not written by hand on a slip of paper.☐ Yes☐ No
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10
Bills in the drawer are sorted by denomination, large bills under the tray Large bills are not on top and not visible to the customer when the drawer opens.☐ Yes☐ No
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11
The cashier checks large bills with a counterfeit detector The detector is on and working; in observed transactions large bills were checked before change was given.☐ Yes☐ No
Customer transactions
-
12
Every item is scanned and the customer can see the total on the display The customer display faces the customer and works; items are not keyed in manually as a single line.☐ Yes☐ No
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13
The cashier checks the bottom of the cart and closed boxes In stores with carts: items under the basket and in opened boxes don't bypass the scanner.☐ Yes☐ No
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14
The cashier states the total due and the amount tendered Heard in every observed cash transaction.☐ Yes☐ No
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15
The customer's bills go into the drawer only after change is given The cash stays in view until the customer has their change — this prevents disputes over the denomination.☐ Yes☐ No
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16
A receipt is issued for every purchase The customer received a paper or electronic receipt in every observed transaction, in a form permitted by law in your country.☐ Yes☐ No
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17
For card payments, the card stays with the customer The customer taps or inserts the card themselves; the cashier doesn't take the card or see the PIN.☐ Yes☐ No
Voids, refunds and discounts
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18
Every receipt or line void is approved by a supervisor In the shift void report, every transaction has a supervisor's or head cashier's approval.☐ Yes☐ No
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19
Number of voids and line cancellations by the cashier this shift Record the number from the report and compare it with the store average; a noticeable spike for one cashier is a reason to review the footage.
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20
Refunds are processed with a customer form and a supervisor's signature Pick 2–3 refunds from the shift: paperwork follows company rules, and the footage shows the customer at the register at that time.☐ Yes☐ No
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21
Manual discounts are applied only for approved reasons Every manual discount in the report has a reason from the company's approved list.☐ Yes☐ No
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22
No unusual loyalty points on staff cards this shift Employee loyalty cards don't collect points from customers' purchases; the same card number repeating across the shift's receipts is worth investigating.☐ Yes☐ No
Equipment and shift paperwork
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23
The register shift was opened today, not carried over from previous days The shift open date on the register matches the current business day.☐ Yes☐ No
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24
The register works and shows no lock-out warnings No errors or messages about an upcoming lock-out or lost connection; register registration documents are kept in the store if your local law requires it.☐ Yes☐ No
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25
Receipt print is clear and there is spare paper roll at the register Every field on the receipt is legible; the roll is changed before the end-of-roll stripe appears.☐ Yes☐ No
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26
The camera above the register covers the drawer and the belt The monitor shows the cashier's hands, the drawer contents and items on the belt; the camera isn't blocked by signage or knocked out of position.☐ Yes☐ No
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27
The register handover form between shifts is signed by both cashiers The float at handover is recorded, with signatures from the outgoing and incoming cashier.☐ Yes☐ No
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28
Card terminal settlement slips are submitted with the takings Settlement for the previous shift was run and the slip is attached to the register report.☐ Yes☐ No
This template is a starting point. Check the limits and wording against your local regulations, your company standards and the equipment manufacturers' instructions.
jeCheck · https://jecheck.io/en/templates/cash-desk-discipline
Common violations
- The cashier steps away without locking the register — voids and refunds are processed under their login, and the report points to them.
- An overage is treated as "good news": most often it means unrecorded sales or short-changed customers, and it needs investigating just like a shortage.
- Voids are approved with the manager's card, which is always left at the register: approval becomes a formality.
- Counts are announced in advance, "whenever it suits": the cashier has time to balance the drawer and the check shows nothing.
- The customer's cash goes straight into the drawer, then there's a dispute about which bill they paid with — without a camera over the drawer it can't be resolved.
Frequently asked questions
As a rule of thumb, 1–2 times a week at a random register at different times, plus always at shift handover. If a register has had variances, check it more often until things stabilize.
Record the amount with the cashier present, get a written statement and review the footage for the shift. Any deduction or disciplinary action must follow the employment law in your country and company policy.
An overage means some transaction went wrong: a customer was short-changed, a sale wasn't rung up or a cash drop was miscounted. It's as much a warning sign as a shortage and needs to be investigated too.
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Move the checklist into jeCheck: photos on every item, tasks for each issue with an owner and a deadline, and location comparison by results.