CashiersNOC
6611Introduction Cashiers record and receive payment from customers in stores, restaurants, theatres, business offices and other retail and wholesale establishments for the purchase of goods, services and admission.
may read notes or memos with information about price changes, new products or procedures, administrative matters, upcoming sales promotions or special events. (2), (frequently)
may read letters from suppliers with information about products or price changes to pass this information on to customers. (2), (weekly)
may consult manuals for information on procedures, such as how to refund money or give discounts. (2)
read price tags, bills, cash register displays or account statements to determine the amount due. (1), (daily)
read brand labels and compare them to promotional flyers or coupons to determine if the product is on sale. (2), (daily)
consult lists, such as lists of product names and their prices, lists of people who have written NSF (not sufficient funds) cheques, lists of exchange rates or pounds to kilograms conversion charts. (2)
in theatres, may use a seating chart to help customers with ticket selection. (2)
complete forms, such as charge slips, cheque cashing forms, rain checks, credit slips or payment slips. They may also complete daily cash out sheets, deposit sheets, deposit envelopes or charge control sheets. (2)
may complete forms to transfer stock between stores or to return unsold merchandise, such as magazines, to obtain a refund. Restaurant cashiers may complete a daily check off report recording information, such as the temperature in coolers and freezers. (2)
consult work schedules and enter the times they begin and end their daily shifts. (2)
read computer lists of information about sales by category to be able to balance the payments and charges. They may use up to ten documents at a time. (3)
Complete forms by marking check boxes, recording numerical information or entering words, phrases, sentences or text of a paragraph or more. The list of specific tasks varies depending on what was reported.
Read completed forms containing check boxes, numerical entries, phrases, addresses, sentences or text of a paragraph or more. The list of specific tasks varies depending on what was reported.
Read tables, schedules or other table-like text (e.g., read work shift schedules).
Enter information on tables, schedules or other table-like text.
Interpret scale drawings (e.g. blueprints or maps).
Obtain information from sketches, pictures or icons (e.g., computer toolbars).
The symbols >, >> and >>> are explained in the Notes section.
write brief notes to record and explain customers' complaints. (1)
write notes to inform other staff. These may be memos, brief notes jotted on a board or entries written in a journal used to convey information to cashiers on the next shift. (2)
total bills by entering amounts in a cash register or calculator, receive payments and make change. (Money Math),
(1), (daily)
may handle U.S. currency. They use an exchange rate chart or a calculator. (Money Math),
(2)
may calculate what the store is owed for unsold stock, such as magazines, which can be returned for partial refund. (Money Math),
(2)
total their cash and credit-card transactions. They compare these totals with cash register receipts and enter the results in financial records, reporting cash surpluses or shortfalls. (Scheduling or Budgeting & Accounting Math),
(1), (daily)
if working as a cashier at a gas bar, may use a rod, marked in centimetres, to measure fuel levels in underground tanks. (Measurement and Calculation Math),
(1)
may weigh produce and convert between kilograms and pounds for customers. (Measurement and Calculation Math),
(2)
count stock, such as lottery tickets, and subtract this figure from the previous count to calculate sales. (Measurement and Calculation Math),
(2)
estimate prices for customers, such as the price of foods sold by weight or the cost of a meal in a cafeteria. (Numerical Estimation),
(1)
estimate whether a show will be sold out by a particular time to inform a customer, based on the rate of ticket sales and the time remaining of the run. (Numerical Estimation),
(2)
The symbols >, >> and >>> are explained in the Notes section.
Read and write, count, round off, add or subtract, multiply or divide whole numbers.
For example,
making change or taking inventory of stock items.
Integers
Read and write, add or subtract, multiply or divide integers.
For example,
using negative numbers to correct over punches on the till.
Rational Numbers - Decimals
Read and write, round off, add or subtract decimals, multiply or divide by a decimal, multiply or divide decimals. Use decimals mainly to refer to dollars and cents.
For example,
calculating the sales tax.
Rational Numbers - Percent
Read and write percents, calculate the percent one number is of another, calculate a percent of a number.
For example,
calculating a 20% discount from a movie rental coupon; calculating the percent of magazines that must be returned.
Equivalent Rational Numbers
Convert between fractions and decimals or percentages. Convert between decimals and percentages.
For example,
converting a percentage to a decimal in order to calculate tax.
Solve problems by constructing and solving equations with one unknown.
For example,
creating an equation for calculating the refund due to the store for unsold magazines that are being returned.
Use of Rate, Ratio and Proportion
Use a rate showing comparison between two quantities with different units. Use a ratio showing comparison between two quantities with the same units. Use a proportion showing comparison between two ratios or rates in order to solve problems.
For example,
calculating the price per unit of different sizes of a product for customers wanting to know the best buy; stocking shelves in a ratio of 3:4:2 for different types of canned food.
may take phone messages and may use an intercom to page co-workers. (1)
may listen to public address system announcements for information. (1)
may take orders for food or stock from customers. (1)
may speak with suppliers to receive information about products. (1)
greet customers, tell them the total of their bill and respond to their questions about products, services, their bill, hours of operation or where particular products or services can be found. (1)
interact with their supervisor, receiving instructions or information, informing their supervisor of problems, such as running short of change, and discussing how the shift is going. (1), (daily)
talk to co-workers to request and provide information on prices, codes or procedures and to co-ordinate work and schedules. (1), (daily)
may give customers unwelcome information, such as that their cheque will not be accepted, their credit-card transaction was not approved, a requested item is out of stock or a refund will not be issued. (2), (occasionally)
Communication is hindered by the noise level in the workplace, created by cash registers, customers, background music and public address system announcements. Some cashiers work in booths, which hinders communication with customers.
decide whether to accept personal cheques, based on company guidelines. (1), (daily)
decide whether to give a refund and whether to lower the price of damaged merchandise or an inadequate service. (2), (frequently)
decide whether to ask customers for identification to prove they are old enough to buy cigarettes. (2)
decide whether to approve invoices for payment, after checking the quantity and quality of goods received. Small orders, such as specialty cookies, may be delivered to and paid for by the cashier. (2)
decide whether or not to accept a cheque in the event that the requested identification is not available, taking into account that bounced cheques may come out of their own pocket. There is a procedure for accepting cheques which the cashiers may waive if they know the individual. (3)
Cashiers' work is mainly customer-driven and involves little or no planning of their workday. The order and priority of tasks are set by the customers and the supervisor. Some cashiers plan certain tasks for quiet times, such as stocking shelves or cleaning. These activities are interrupted if a customer needs help.
remember which items are on special and their sale price. Although they can seek this information as needed, they will be more efficient if they can remember.
remember messages from suppliers about the availability of stock and special requests from customers. They pass this information along to their supervisor.
may remember the names, faces or preferences of regular customers to provide more personal service.
may seek information on prices, codes, procedures or current sales by looking up information on price lists or in flyers, by asking a co-worker, by sending a store clerk to check a price or by consulting other available texts or documents. (1)
may obtain information on products and services for customers from the relevant person or department in the establishment or from product literature. (1)
Cashiers usually work independently, providing help to co-workers or obtaining help from them as needed. They may co-ordinate their work with others, to avoid overlapping break times. They may work with a helper during busy periods and may sometimes work alone, for example, balancing the cash after closing.
In addition to collecting information for this Essential Skills Profile, our interviews with job incumbents also asked about the following topics.
Physical Aspects Cashiers' main duties are performed either standing or sitting, depending on the workplace. Other duties, such as stocking shelves, cleaning or clearing away food trays, may involve walking, bending or other body positions.Attitudes The cashiers interviewed felt that cashiers should be friendly, pleasant, polite and patient toward customers since this is important to make them want to return to the store. They also felt cashiers should be able to deal with the pressure of long line-ups and demanding customers.Future Trends Affecting Essential Skills Changes which may affect cashiers' work in the future include changes in cash registers and in money transaction technology and an increased emphasis on service. These changes may lead to a need for upgrading computer skills and for enhancing oral communication and problem solving skills as keys to providing better customer service.
K.
Notes
This profile is based on interviews with job incumbents across Canada and validated through consultation with industry experts across the country.
indicates that most respondents use that skill
indicates that some respondents use that skill
indicates that few respondents use that skill
indicates that none of the respondents use that skill
L.
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