cashhandling

Cashhandling refers to the procedures used to manage physical currency in commercial transactions and related activities. It encompasses receiving, counting, securing, transporting, recording, and reconciling cash in settings such as retail, hospitality, banking, vending, and other cash-intensive operations.

In point-of-sale environments, cash handling begins when a customer pays with cash and ends with reconciliation and deposit. Cashiers provide change from a cash drawer, issue receipts, and note any overages or shortages. At the end of a shift, cash is counted, compared with sales records, and discrepancies are documented and reviewed.

Security and risk controls aim to minimize theft, loss, or fraud. They typically include separation of duties, dual custody of cash, regular reconciliations, surprise cash counts, CCTV monitoring, secure storage, tamper-evident bags, and time-locked safes. Cash and deposits are transported by approved methods such as armored carriers.

Counterfeit detection and fraud prevention involve staff training on currency features and suspicious activity, plus access to counterfeit-detection tools. Retailers and banks maintain audit trails through receipts, cash registers, and software that logs cash movements and discrepancies.

Compliance and governance cover internal policies and, where applicable, regulatory requirements related to cash handling, including recordkeeping and reporting thresholds for large cash transactions. Ongoing audits and risk assessments help ensure controls are effective across operations.

Specialized applications include ATM cash handling, bank branch cash rooms, hotel cash management, and casino cash operations, each with tailored procedures for intake, storage, transport, and reconciliation.