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

# Closing a shift

> End your session, count the drawer, and let TillBiz reconcile your cash.

At the end of your session you **close** your shift. TillBiz totals everything
you sold and compares the expected cash against what you actually counted.

## Close your shift

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Shifts">
    Select **Shifts** and choose your active shift.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Count the drawer">
    Count all the cash in the drawer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your closing cash">
    Type in the counted amount.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Close">
    Confirm to close the shift. TillBiz calculates your cash variance and locks
    the shift.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How reconciliation works

TillBiz works out what *should* be in the drawer and compares it to your count:

```text theme={null}
Expected cash = Opening cash + Cash sales − Expenses − Cash-outs + Cash-ins
Cash variance = Closing cash − Expected cash
```

* A **positive** variance means there's more cash than expected (an overage).
* A **negative** variance means there's less than expected (a shortage).

<Warning>
  A non-zero variance isn't always theft — it's often miscounted change or a
  movement that wasn't recorded. Investigate large or repeated variances, and
  record cash movements during the shift to keep them small.
</Warning>

## Shift summary

A closed shift keeps a full record: total sales by payment method, expenses,
cash movements, and the final variance. Owners and managers can review past
shifts and dig into them in [Staff performance reports](/guides/reports/staff-performance).