X and Z reports are the standard summary reports from a till or POS. An X report shows sales so far in a shift or day without clearing anything. A Z report, also called an end-of-day or Z read, closes the period, records final totals and resets counters.
Both reports break sales down by tender type, department or category, tax, discounts, voids, refunds and tips. The Z report is saved as a permanent record, so figures for that period cannot be quietly changed, and it provides the numbers for banking, reconciliation and accounting. Some POS systems call the Z report an end-of-day close or day-end. Whatever the name, running it consistently every trading day gives a clean, sequential record that your accountant or auditor can follow.
Retail and hospitality managers run X reports mid-shift to check progress or at handover, and run the Z report at close. Multi-site operators compare Z reports across venues to spot trends and anomalies, and they feed totals into accounting software.
Check that your POS closes the day at the right time, particularly for venues trading past midnight, and that late edits are logged. Review voids, refunds and discounts on each Z report, since unusual patterns can indicate error or misuse. Keep reports for the period your accountant advises.
Reliable end-of-day reporting is the foundation of reconciliation and accurate books.