Simple cashbook template for a small business in Nigeria

A cashbook is a simple dated record of money received and money paid by a business. It helps an owner answer practical questions: what came in today, what was paid out, and how much cash should remain? A notebook or spreadsheet can work if every entry is clear and the balance is checked regularly.

Cashbook columns to start with

Create one row per movement of money. Use these column labels:

• Date and reference.
• Description and category.
• Money in (₦).
• Money out (₦).
• Payment channel, such as cash, bank transfer or card settlement.
• Running balance (₦).
• Evidence or note, such as receipt number or bank narration.

Keep one column for money in and another for money out. Do not enter a payment as a positive amount in the same column as receipts unless your formulas clearly distinguish the two.

A small naira example

Suppose a provisions shop opens Monday with ₦40,000 in its cash float. It records ₦27,500 cash collected from customers, ₦18,000 paid to a supplier and ₦2,000 for delivery. The expected cash balance is:

• Opening float: ₦40,000
• Cash received: +₦27,500
• Supplier payment: −₦18,000
• Delivery: −₦2,000
• Expected closing cash: ₦47,500

This is only the expected cash amount. A bank transfer is not part of the till float; record it in the cashbook under its own channel and compare it with the actual bank statement. A sales total also is not automatically the same as cash received when customers owe money.

A daily cashbook routine

1. Write the opening cash float before trading starts.
2. Record each collection and business payment with its channel.
3. Keep the receipt, supplier note or reference for each entry.
4. At closing, count the till and compare it with the expected cash balance.
5. Record and investigate any difference instead of quietly changing an earlier row.
6. Compare transfers and card settlements with the statement or provider report.

Separate customer sales, owner contributions and owner withdrawals. A transfer between two accounts belonging to the same business is not a new customer sale. Read how to separate personal and business money for more examples.

Use this as a recordkeeping aid, not a full set of accounts or tax advice. ReceiptPro can help keep sales, invoices and receipts together; the cashbook routine still needs you to confirm that the money actually arrived. Start with the daily sales-record routine and cash, bank and POS reconciliation guide.