What Does a Cashier Do?

A cashier is responsible for processing sales transactions in a retail environment. This means logging all sales and sales returns in a point-of-sale system, processing customer payments, and making change. This job calls for a deep knowledge of sales and returns policies, as well as all procedures related to entering sale and payment transactions, including the use of coupons and other discounts.

Principal Accountabilities

Accurately and efficiently operate cash registers
Operate bar code scanning equipment
Ensure that there is sufficient cash in the cash drawer
Maintain correct cash balances at cash registers
Ask for a form of identification as needed
Sort, count and wrap coins and currency
Process payments made with cash, checks, credit cards, and debit cards
Validate checks
Provide change if necessary when checks are cashed
Process returns and exchanges
Be aware of all promotions and advertisements that affect product prices
Process all presented coupons
Maintain a clean checkout area
Communicate company policies and procedures to customers
Bag purchased items
Gift wrap customer purchases as requested
Answer customer questions

Cashier Experience Requirement

An entry-level cashier is not expected to have prior experience, since cashier training is usually provided when the person is hired. If you are hiring for a supervisory cashier position, then it would be reasonable to require at least one year of experience as a cashier. Preference should be given to those applicants who already have experience operating a similar point-of-sale terminal, as well as to those who have worked in a customer service role in the past.