Selling in dollars & FX gains — how Zemam gets it right
Buying in dollars and selling in pounds? If the dollar rate changes by the time you collect, an exchange-rate difference appears. Zemam calculates it automatically and determines whether it's a gain or a loss.
The idea in a minute
Every document is recorded in its own currency with a rate that locks at the moment of confirmation. When collection happens at a different rate, the difference is posted automatically as an FX gain or loss — per IAS 21.
The steps
- 1
Choose your currencies
In settings, enable the multi-currency option and choose the currencies you deal in — USD, SAR, EUR, and so on. You can then create invoices in any of them.
- 2
Record exchange rates — with approval & locking
The exchange-rates screen records each currency's rate with an effective date. A rate can require approval before use, and once it's used on a confirmed document, it becomes locked and can no longer be edited — so your accounts stay accurate.
Exchange rates
Add rateCurrency pair Rate Effective date Status USD → EGP
Standard
48.5000
1 USD = 48.5000 EGP
2026-07-01 Approved Lock USD → EGP
Standard
48.2000
1 USD = 48.2000 EGP
2026-06-24 Locked SAR → EGP
Central bank
12.9300
1 SAR = 12.9300 EGP
2026-07-01 Pending approval Approve The exchange-rates screen — a rate per currency with effective date, approval & locking - 3
Issue the invoice in its currency — the rate locks at confirmation
On the invoice you pick the currency and the system fetches and shows today's rate. At confirmation the rate freezes onto the invoice — its value in your books never shifts however the market moves afterwards.
Currency
USD — US Dollar▾Exchange rate
1 USD = 48.50 EGPInvoice total$ 2,500.00At confirmation the rate locks onto the invoice permanently — even if the dollar moves tomorrow, your invoice and books stay fixed.
A USD invoice — the rate is visible, and locks at confirmation - 4
The rate difference between invoice and collection
You recorded an invoice at today's dollar rate, and by the time you collect, the rate has changed — up or down. Zemam calculates the difference for you and determines whether it's a gain or a loss.
- 5
Customer balance: in the base currency
If a customer has invoices in different currencies, their balance is calculated in the base currency you've selected for the system.
Customer balance
121,250.00 EGP
By currency
USD$ 1,500.00EGP48,500.00The customer balance — an official base-currency figure + per-currency breakdown - 6
Period end: revaluation in a click
Zemam automatically revalues customer and supplier balances held in foreign currency at the period-end rate, and records the revaluation difference in its own accounting entry.
Why this is a Zemam strength
The rate locks onto the document at confirmation — its book value never drifts with the market.
FX differences — realized at collection and unrealized at period end — are posted automatically.
The whole treatment follows IAS 21 — so you can review your numbers with your accountant with confidence.
Common situations
An importer buying in USD, selling in EGP
Supplier invoices in dollars at their day's rate, sales in pounds — and reports show real profit after the currency effect, not an optimistic number.
A USD cheque collected into an EGP account
You enter what the bank actually credited in pounds — and the system computes the exact FX difference between the cheque's booked rate and the actual collection.
Gulf customers paying in SAR
Their invoices and statements in riyals as they expect — your books in your base currency as the law and accounting require.
Still computing FX differences in Excel?
Talk to us — we'll show you, on your own numbers, how the differences post themselves from the first invoice.