PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Order Entry and ProcessingMedium
A pharmacy technician is reconciling the daily cash register. At the end of the day, the cash in the drawer is $150.00, but the system report shows total cash sales of $155.00. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial action for the technician?
- AAssume the difference is due to rounding and disregard it.
- BImmediately report the discrepancy to the police.
- CRecount the cash in the drawer and review recent transactions for errors.
- DAdjust the system report to match the cash in the drawer.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Recount the cash in the drawer and review recent transactions for errors.
When a cash discrepancy occurs, the first step is always to recount the cash and meticulously review transactions for any errors, such as incorrect change given, wrong tender type entered, or missed sales entries. This helps identify the cause before escalating.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect. A $5 discrepancy is significant enough to warrant investigation; it is unlikely to be solely due to rounding.
- B. Incorrect. Reporting to the police is a drastic measure and premature before a thorough internal investigation.
- D. Incorrect. Adjusting the report without investigation conceals the error and prevents identification of the cause.
Cash Reconciliation Discrepancy Protocol
A standard procedure followed when the physical cash in the register does not match the recorded sales total, aiming to identify and correct the error.
- Prioritize re-counting and transaction review.
- Avoid immediate adjustments or assumptions.
- Report unresolved discrepancies to a supervisor.
- Helps maintain financial accuracy and prevent loss.
Memory trick: Recount, Review, Report, and Resolve.