Bank employees, also known as bank tellers, are responsible for most of the everyday operations at financial institutions. It is their job to keep track of all the money that goes in and out of a bank. This is no easy task, as a single bank may have dozens of transactions every day. The job description of a bank teller reveals what bank tellers do to monitor every penny.

Duties

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Stateuniversity, the primary duties of bank employees are to accept and distribute monies. This may include processing deposits, cashing checks, taking loan payments or completing withdrawal slips. Bank employees also exchange currency and issue traveler's checks. Employers expect bank tellers to record all transactions via validation slips and end-of-day settlement sheets, as well as to assist in security by checking identification and signatures. Lastly, bank tellers may handle inquiries and open or close accounts.

Education and Experience

According to the BLS and Stateuniversity, most bank employee jobs require a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED. However, the BLS claims that experience is not always a prerequisite for bank teller positions, as many financial institutions train their tellers on the job.

Skills

Even though bank employee positions usually only require a high school diploma or equivalent, math skills are essential, as bank employees must be able to calculate figures for deposits, withdrawals and account settlements quickly. Bank employees routinely deal with members of the public face to face, so courteousness and quick service also are necessary. Bank tellers also must be honest and willing to adhere to financial law, as they have access to large sums of money--background checks are standard for this reason on anyone who applies for bank positions.

Working Conditions

Stateuniversity states that bank employees usually enjoy a clean, pleasant work environment; however, bank tellers also do the same work over and over again, which may seem =dull. There is always the potential risk for criminal activity in the bank (i.e., robbery), so bank tellers need to be prepared to protect themselves and customers. Bank tellers usually need to stand for long periods.

Earnings

According to BLS, based on 2008 data, bank tellers make approximately $23,600; however, 2009 BLS data shows that bank employee wages have reached a mean annual salary of approximately $24,700. This slight increase corresponds with the fact that banks are extending hours and services, and that job prospects for tellers have increased.