Quick answer: Reconcile delivery platforms by tracing each reporting period from the restaurant order record to the platform statement and then to the bank receipt. Investigate exceptions while the order, campaign and kitchen records are still easy to retrieve.
This checklist is for restaurant operating control. It does not decide VAT treatment, replace accounting advice or assume a platform's payout timing.
1. Freeze the review period and source files
Record the outlet, brand, platform, local timezone, start and end time. Save the unedited source exports or statements for the period, plus the restaurant's corresponding order record. Do not reconcile a rolling dashboard figure against a statement from a different cut-off.
2. Match the order population
Compare the platform order reference with the restaurant record. Separate:
- Completed orders.
- Customer or restaurant cancellations.
- Partial or full refunds.
- Remakes, missing-item claims and goodwill adjustments.
- Duplicate, test or manually re-entered orders.
If one record is missing, log it as an exception rather than forcing the totals to match.
3. Review gross value and approved promotions
For each exception or sample of orders, compare item price, quantity, modifiers, discount and final food value. Keep the campaign approval next to the settlement line so the reviewer can see who funded the discount and whether it was expected.
Careem's UAE partner FAQs show that menu and discount workflows can use a partner dashboard, helpdesk or account manager. That is evidence that these controls exist on one platform, not proof of an identical workflow elsewhere. Confirm each platform's current process before relying on it.
4. Trace statement deductions without guessing
Read every deduction label against the signed contract or platform documentation. Keep a review column for the amount, description, supporting reference and reviewer decision. Do not turn a public headline rate into an accounting entry.
| Settlement line | Evidence to retain | Review action |
|---|---|---|
| Food sales | Order export and restaurant order record | Match order count and value |
| Restaurant-funded promotion | Campaign approval and order detail | Confirm scope and funding |
| Contract deduction | Statement and signed commercial schedule | Classify only after confirmation |
| Refund/adjustment | Customer issue and order reference | Record cause and approver |
| Invoice or tax document | Original invoice and supporting records | Send uncertain treatment to the adviser |
| Net settlement | Statement, bank receipt and payment reference | Trace amount and date |
5. Match the expected settlement to the bank
Once the statement has a documented expected net amount, trace it to the bank receipt using the payout reference and date. A timing difference is still an exception until it is explained; it is not a reason to rewrite the order data.
Careem's public UAE partner FAQs describe finance visibility, a statement of account and payout/invoice information. Use platform-provided finance records for the platform in question and retain the restaurant's own evidence alongside them.
6. Close exceptions with an owner and date
An exception log should include the platform, order or settlement reference, amount, issue type, evidence, owner, action and close date. Recurring exceptions are operational signals:
- Frequent unavailable items may require menu-availability control.
- Repeated preparation disputes may require clearer kitchen and handoff records.
- Unapproved discounts may require campaign approval controls.
- Unexplained deductions may require a contract review or platform support case.
Tax and record boundary
Keep delivery statements and valid tax invoices with the relevant records. The Federal Tax Authority says input-tax recovery depends on conditions including correctly charged VAT and documentation such as a valid tax invoice. A qualified UAE tax adviser should determine the restaurant's treatment and filing position. See the Federal Tax Authority guidance and the existing VAT on delivery and aggregator orders guide.
Where TajerGo can support the operating record
Configured TajerGo sales, payment, order-type, recipe-cost and reporting views can support the restaurant's internal review when the source records are complete. They do not establish platform settlement accuracy or a platform integration. Review reports and exports, POS and billing and restaurant inventory features for the available product scope.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a restaurant reconcile delivery-platform statements?
Use a regular cadence that lets the team investigate while orders and campaign evidence are available. Weekly is often a practical operating rhythm, with month-end accounting review as required by the business.
What if the platform statement and restaurant sales report do not match?
Do not overwrite either record. Segment the difference into missing order, cancellation, refund, promotion, deduction, timing or unknown exception, then retain the evidence and assign an owner.
Can I treat the net bank receipt as delivery sales?
No. The bank receipt is a settlement result. Keep the order value, deductions and settlement evidence separately so the restaurant can review the full chain.
Does this checklist prove VAT treatment?
No. It preserves the operational evidence needed for review. The restaurant and its qualified UAE tax adviser remain responsible for tax classification, invoices and filing.
Read next: UAE restaurant delivery-platform operating guide · Calculate delivery contribution margin · VAT on delivery and aggregator orders · Shift reconciliation