Frequently asked questions

Which POS software is OHADA-compliant in Cameroon?

OHADA-compliant point-of-sale software must post entries against the revised SYSCOHADA chart of accounts, keep sales tamper-evident, and let you export an accounting journal. CEMAC POS produces SYSCOHADA entries automatically on every sale, hash-chains its fiscal documents, and exports the journal, trial balance and income statement.

What is the DGI standardised invoice?

The standardised invoice is the format required by Cameroon's tax authority to trace transactions and secure VAT collection. It requires the seller's taxpayer number (NIU), the VAT rate applied, and an identifier allowing the document to be verified. CEMAC POS prints these details and a verification QR code on every receipt.

What is the VAT rate in Cameroon?

VAT in Cameroon is 19.25%, made up of 17.5% VAT plus council surcharges of 10% of that amount. Prices shown to customers are normally VAT-inclusive. CEMAC POS applies 19.25% by default, handles zero-rated items, and breaks VAT down by rate on the invoice.

Must the taxpayer number appear on an invoice?

Yes. The Unique Identification Number (NIU) issued by the tax authority is mandatory on invoices in Cameroon. The customer's NIU is also needed on business-to-business sales, because it is what allows the buyer to reclaim the VAT. CEMAC POS stores the shop's NIU and one for each business customer.

What is SYSCOHADA?

SYSCOHADA is the accounting system shared by the 17 OHADA member states, including Cameroon. Its revised version took effect on 1 January 2018. It sets the chart of accounts and the financial statements businesses must produce. CEMAC POS uses this chart of accounts for every entry it records.

How do you accept MTN MoMo and Orange Money in a shop?

You need POS software that records the mobile payment as a tender in its own right, with its transaction reference, so that the till and the books both stay correct. CEMAC POS offers MTN MoMo and Orange Money at checkout alongside cash and card, including as part of a split payment.

Can one sale be paid with several payment methods?

Yes. A customer may pay part in cash and the rest by Mobile Money, which is common in Cameroon. CEMAC POS accepts several tenders on one sale, works out the change due, and records each method separately so the end-of-day cash reconciliation is accurate.

How do you handle customer credit sales?

A credit sale is simply one where the amount tendered falls short of the total. CEMAC POS tracks the balance owed per customer, lets you set a credit ceiling for each one, and blocks the till beyond that ceiling. Later settlements are recorded and the balance updates automatically.

Can a till work without an internet connection?

Yes, provided the software is built for it. Many cloud tills simply stop working when the network drops. CEMAC POS records sales locally on the device during an outage, then syncs them automatically once the connection returns, with no duplicates and no lost sales.

Which printer should you use for receipts?

A 58mm or 80mm thermal printer using the ESC/POS standard suits the vast majority of shops: it is inexpensive, fast and needs no ink. CEMAC POS prints on both widths in French or English, and can also send the receipt by WhatsApp or e-mail if you have no printer.

Do you need a computer, or is a phone enough?

An Android phone is enough. CEMAC POS is built mobile-first, installs from the browser like an app, and also runs on Windows PCs and tablets. Barcode scanning uses the phone's camera, so no extra hardware is needed to get started.

What does POS software cost in Cameroon?

Point-of-sale software aimed at the Cameroonian market generally runs between 10,000 and 30,000 CFA francs per month depending on features and user count. Tools imported from Europe are often billed in euros and handle neither the CFA franc, nor Mobile Money, nor local tax rules. CEMAC POS offers a 30-day free trial with no card required.

How do you keep track of shop stock?

Stock control means decrementing quantities automatically on each sale, recording goods as they arrive, and counting stock regularly. CEMAC POS tracks stock movements, warns on low thresholds and expiring products, and lets you run a stocktake from a phone.

Can a small shop run a loyalty programme?

Yes, and it is one of the simplest ways to bring a customer back. A loyalty programme awards points on each purchase which the customer later redeems against a discount. CEMAC POS includes loyalty as standard: scannable cards, configurable earn rates, tiers, and a report on points outstanding.

How do you run payroll for shop staff?

Shop payroll means knowing the days or hours actually worked, calculating gross pay, deductions and net pay, then posting the cost to the books. CEMAC POS includes a time clock, calculates monthly, daily or hourly pay, prints a payslip with a verification QR code, and records the expense in the accounts.