A bank teller plays a crucial role in the daily operations of a financial institution. As the primary point of contact for customers, bank tellers handle various transactions, provide excellent customer service, and support the bank's overall mission.
They are responsible for managing cash transactions, processing deposits and withdrawals, and assisting clients with their banking needs. In addition to these tasks, bank tellers must maintain accuracy in their work and uphold security protocols.
This job description outlines the typical responsibilities and qualifications necessary for success as a bank teller, offering insights for both potential applicants and hiring managers.
Bank tellers are responsible for a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to: processing customer transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and payments; providing account information and assistance; managing cash and maintaining accurate cash drawers; identifying fraudulent activity and ensuring compliance with bank policies; promoting bank services and products to customers; responding to customer inquiries professionally; and assisting in maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
To excel as a bank teller, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience in customer service or retail is advantageous, along with strong numerical and cash handling skills.
Attention to detail, effective communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are essential attributes for this role. Familiarity with banking software and proficiency in mathematical calculations further enhance a candidate's suitability for the position.
Bank tellers usually work in bank branches, often in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. They may be required to work weekends or holidays and should be prepared to stand for extended periods.
The job may involve interacting with diverse customers, making excellent interpersonal skills crucial for success.
Starting as a bank teller can lead to several career advancement opportunities within the banking industry. With experience and additional training, tellers can progress to roles such as senior teller, customer service representative, or bank officer.
Some may even choose to specialize in areas like loans or investments.
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Key Responsibilities
### Key Responsibilities
- •Process customer transactions accurately (daily, highest priority)
- •Complete deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and check cashing for 80–150 transactions per day depending on branch size. Accuracy prevents financial loss and supports a target cash-drawer variance under $25 per shift.
- •Maintain cash drawer and reconcile daily (daily)
- •Count and balance cash at the start and end of each shift, log discrepancies, and resolve simple errors within 30 minutes. This protects the bank’s assets and reduces audit flags by increasing reconciliation accuracy.
- •Deliver customer service and build relationships (daily/weekly)
- •Greet customers, resolve routine account inquiries within 5–10 minutes, and follow up on escalations. Strong service raises retention rates and supports cross-sell goals like two product referrals per week.
- •Promote and open accounts/products (daily/weekly)
- •Identify opportunities during transactions to offer checking, savings, or CD accounts and document outcomes in the CRM. Converting 3–5 conversations per 100 customers improves branch revenue and meets monthly sales KPIs.
- •Identify and report suspicious activity (daily/ongoing)
- •Apply Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, flag large or unusual deposits, and file SARs per policy. Timely reporting reduces compliance risk and protects the bank from regulatory fines.
- •Support backend tasks and branch operations (weekly)
- •Assist with ATM replenishment checks, mail sorting, and inventory of forms and marketing materials. These tasks keep branch service levels consistent and reduce downtime.
- •Participate in training and process improvement (monthly/strategic)
- •Attend AML and product training sessions, and suggest one process improvement per quarter using customer data. This supports continuous compliance and efficiency gains across the team.
Actionable takeaway: Prioritize accurate transactions and daily reconciliation, then layer relationship-building and compliance tasks to meet branch targets.
Required Qualifications
### Required Qualifications
#### Technical skills (must-have)
- •Cash handling and POS systems — Able to count, verify, and process cash quickly; use teller platforms (e.g., FIS, Jack Henry) to post 80–150 transactions/day. Prevents errors and speeds customer flow.
- •Basic accounting and reconciliation — Reconcile daily drawer to within branch tolerance (often $25–$50) and prepare simple reports for managers.
- •Regulatory knowledge — Understand CTR, SAR, KYC and basic AML rules to spot and report suspicious activity immediately.
#### Soft skills (must-have)
- •Customer service — Resolve routine issues in 5–10 minutes and maintain a calm, professional tone; boosts retention and NPS scores.
- •Attention to detail — Detect disputes, incorrect amounts, or ID mismatches; reduces financial loss and regulatory risk.
- •Communication — Explain fees, products, and required documentation clearly to customers and teammates.
#### Education / certifications
- •High school diploma or GED (must-have) — Minimum requirement for teller roles.
- •Nice-to-have certifications — Certified Bank Teller (CBT) or anti-money-laundering (AML) training accelerates readiness and may improve promotion prospects.
#### Experience requirements
- •Entry-level (0–2 years) — Customer-facing experience in retail or hospitality transferable to teller duties.
- •Preferred (2+ years) — Prior teller or banking experience with demonstrated accuracy rates and familiarity with regulatory reporting.
Actionable takeaway: Hire for strong cash-handling, regulatory awareness, and customer service; prioritize candidates with teller systems experience or AML/CBT training for faster ramp-up.