Why doesn't the amount on my POS statement match the amount credited to my bank account?

The difference is due to deducted commissions. The POS statement shows the gross transaction amount, while your bank account receives the net amount after merchant fees are deducted. Check the 'Commission' and 'Net Amount' columns in your statement.

How often should I reconcile my POS statement with my bank statement?

Daily or at minimum weekly reconciliation is recommended. The more frequently you do it, the faster you'll detect any anomalies. The TKpay dashboard facilitates real-time monitoring.

What should I do if a transaction appears on my POS statement but not in my bank account?

First check the settlement delay, which is typically T+1 to T+3 business days. If the delay has passed, contact your payment provider with the transaction reference number for investigation.

How to Read and Understand Your POS Transaction Statement

Why Understanding Your POS Statement Matters

Every merchant with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal receives regular statements detailing all their card transactions. Yet this document is often misunderstood or even ignored. Knowing how to read and interpret your POS statement, within the regulatory framework set by Bank Al-Maghrib, is fundamental to managing your cash flow, detecting anomalies, and optimizing your payment costs. This guide walks you through it step by step.

Essential Fields in Your Statement

Transaction Date and Time

Each line in your statement shows the exact date and time of the transaction. Be sure to distinguish between two important dates:

Transaction date: the moment the customer made their payment in store.
Settlement date: the day the amount is actually credited to your bank account.

The gap between these two dates is normal and typically ranges from T+1 to T+3 business days. This delay depends on your payment provider agreement and the card network used.

Gross Amount

This is the total amount paid by the customer, as shown on the receipt. If a customer pays 250 MAD for their purchase, the gross amount displayed will be 250 MAD.

Card Type and Network

The statement indicates the card type used for each transaction:

[Visa](https://www.visa.com/) or [Mastercard](https://www.mastercard.com/): the two most common international networks in Morocco
National card: issued through the Moroccan interbank network
Contactless / NFC: indicates the payment was made via tap
Apple Pay / Google Pay: identified as an NFC transaction with a wallet indicator

This information matters because commission fees can vary depending on the card type and network.

Commission (Merchant Fees)

The commission is the percentage or fixed amount deducted from each transaction. It generally breaks down into:

Interchange: the portion paid to the customer's card-issuing bank
Network fees: the portion charged by Visa, Mastercard, or the national network
Provider margin: your terminal provider's compensation

In Morocco, the total merchant commission typically ranges from 0.8% to 2.5% depending on the business sector, transaction volume, and card type.

Net Amount

This is the amount you actually receive in your bank account — the gross amount minus commission. This figure must match the credits on your bank statement.

Reference Number (ARN / RRN)

Each transaction has a unique identifier called a reference number (Acquirer Reference Number or Retrieval Reference Number). This number is essential for:

Tracing a specific transaction in case of dispute
Performing precise reconciliation with your bank statement
Contacting support in case of anomaly

Always keep this number for potential claims.

How to Reconcile Your POS Statement with Your Bank Statement

Bank reconciliation is the process of verifying that each POS transaction matches a credit in your bank account. Here's the recommended method:

Step 1: Group by Settlement Date

Sort your POS transactions by settlement date (not transaction date). Bank transfers correspond to settlement batches, not individual transactions.

Step 2: Compare Totals

For each settlement date, add up the net amounts from your POS statement and compare with the transfer received in your bank account. The two figures should match exactly.

Step 3: Identify Discrepancies

If a discrepancy exists, look for the most common causes:

Refunds: a refund processed on the same day reduces the total transfer amount
Transaction rejections: a transaction declined after the fact (insufficient funds detected late)
Terminal rental fees: sometimes deducted directly from the settlement
Holidays and weekends: settlements only process on business days

Step 4: Document Everything

Record each identified discrepancy and its cause in a dedicated spreadsheet. This traceability is valuable for your accounting and in case of tax audits.

Common Anomalies and How to Resolve Them

Duplicate Transactions

A transaction may appear twice if the terminal experienced a communication issue during payment. The customer may have been charged twice. In this case, identify the duplicate using the reference number and contact your provider for a refund.

Missing Transactions

If a transaction made on your terminal doesn't appear in the statement, verify that the end-of-day batch settlement was properly transmitted. On TKpay terminals, this operation is automatic, but a connectivity issue can delay transmission.

Lower-Than-Expected Net Amount

An abnormally low net amount may be explained by a temporary commission increase (expired promotion), an annual fee deduction, or the offset of a previous refund in the same batch. For practical tips on cost optimization, read our article on how to reduce your transaction fees.

Optimize Your Tracking with the TKpay Dashboard

Paper or PDF statements have their limits. The TKpay dashboard provides real-time visibility into all your transactions, with features designed to simplify your management:

Real-time view: each transaction appears instantly, without waiting for the monthly statement
Advanced filters: search by date, amount, card type, settlement status
Accounting export: export your data in a format compatible with your accounting software
Alerts: get notified when anomalies are automatically detected
Transaction date / settlement date mode: switch between the two views depending on your need (sales tracking or bank reconciliation)

This dual transaction/settlement view is particularly useful for merchants handling a high daily transaction volume.

Tips for Stress-Free Bookkeeping

To avoid end-of-month surprises, adopt these best practices:

Reconcile daily your POS transactions with your bank credits
Archive your statements for at least 5 years (legal requirement per Bank Al-Maghrib)
Separate payment types in your accounting: cash, card, transfers
Track your commission rates month over month to detect any abnormal changes
Train your team on reading POS receipts to reduce checkout errors

Conclusion

Discover our TKpay payment terminals to support your transition to electronic payments.

Mastering how to read your POS transaction statement isn't a luxury — it's a necessity for any merchant who wants to stay in control of their cash flow. By understanding each field, performing regular reconciliations, and using digital tools like the TKpay dashboard, you transform a technical document into a powerful financial management lever.