Bank Teller: How to Become a Bank Teller in 5 Steps
Are you detail-oriented and adept with numbers? Do you want a career in banking? Working as a bank teller is one way to get your foot in the door. Read on for more information on becoming a teller. Schools offering Banking Services degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
What is a Bank Teller?
A bank teller is an entry-level clerk who conducts routine cash transactions face-to-face with a bank's depositors and customers. The transactions you handle include deposits, withdrawals, loan payments and check cashing.
Your specific duties include verifying signatures, dates and numerical amounts on checks, as well as account solvency before processing withdrawals. Other duties generally include entering transaction information, filing checks and deposit slips, balancing cash deposits and sorting disbursements.
Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma
A high school diploma or GED is typically enough education for you to become a teller. O*Net OnLine reported in 2011 that around 83% of tellers had a diploma or the equivalent (www.onetonline.org). Math courses can develop your numeracy skills, which are relevant for tellers. Classes in accounting can also help you if your school offers them.
Step 2: Consider Formal Training
Completing a teller certificate program could potentially improve your job prospects. About 17% of tellers have some college education, according to O*Net. Program courses prepare for your duties by covering topics such as business math, banking fundamentals, money handling procedures and customer interaction.
Step 3: Obtain a Job
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that tellers would see an employment growth rate of six percent between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). The BLS noted that factors for this growth might include banks maintaining longer bank hours, as well as the establishment of branches in grocery stores and other non-traditional locations. The average annual salary for tellers was $24,980 in May 2010, according to the BLS.
Step 4: Consider Certification
Although certification is voluntary, by obtaining the Certified Bank Teller (CBT) credential from the American Bankers Association (ABA) you can demonstrate your competence to your current employer or future employers (www.aba.com). Consisting of 75 multiple-choice questions, the CBT exam tests your knowledge of banking fundamentals, teller duties and customer service. To be eligible you need six months of experience and a letter of recommendation from a senior manager.
Step 5: Advance Your Career
You could try to advance by rising through the ranks with your present employer or by pursuing higher positions with other banks. With enough experience you could become the head teller. Completing an in-house training program could open the way to a position as a loan processing clerk or bill and accounts collector. Finally, you could become a manager or supervisor of administrative support workers.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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