15 Cash Handling Interview Questions and Answers

As the world increasingly moves toward a cashless society, there are still many businesses that require their employees to handle cash on a daily basis. If you’re interviewing for a job that involves cash handling, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience and your ability to handle various situations related to cash.

In this guide, we’ll provide some sample cash handling interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

1. What are the best practices for handling cash?

Cash handling is a critical skill for cashiers. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle money safely and securely. In your answer, explain what steps you take when counting or sorting bills and coins. Explain that these are the best practices for keeping track of transactions and preventing theft.

Example: “I always count my drawer at the end of every shift. I also keep an accurate record of all transactions throughout the day. These two things help me ensure that I don’t lose any money and that I give customers the right change. When handling cash, it’s important to be aware of who is around you. You should never leave money unattended, so I would never put money in my purse or pocket until the end of my shift.”

2. How would you handle a situation where an employee claims to have lost their till?

Cash handling is a responsibility that requires trust and honesty. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of these values in their workplace. In your answer, explain how you would handle this situation if it ever happened at your current job. Explain that you would be honest with your manager about what happened. Show them that you value honesty by explaining that you would tell the truth even if it meant getting in trouble for losing money.

Example: “I have never had an employee claim they lost their till before, but I think I would be honest with my manager if it ever happened. I know that cash handling is a serious responsibility, so I would want to make sure I was being as honest as possible. If I were to lose a till, I would immediately report it to my manager. I would also do everything I could to find the missing money. Even if I couldn’t find all of it, I would still try to return as much as I could.”

3. If you notice that your register is over-ringing all day, what would be the first thing you do?

Cash registers can sometimes over-ring, which means they ring more than one time for a single sale. This is usually due to the register being set at an incorrect price or it’s not properly calibrated. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you know how to fix these types of problems and that you’re detail-oriented enough to notice when something like this happens.

Example: “If I noticed my register was over-ringing all day, I would first check to see if the prices were correct on the items in the register. If everything looked good there, I would then calibrate the register to ensure it was ringing correctly.”

4. What steps can you take when you find out that one of your employees has been stealing from the company?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle a challenging situation. They want to know that you can take action and ensure the company’s safety. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to investigate the incident and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “I would first report the theft to my manager or supervisor so they could begin an investigation. I would also notify the human resources department so they could help with the investigation as well. If the employee is still employed by the company, I would work with them to create a plan for repayment of any stolen funds. If the employee has already left their position, I would contact law enforcement.”

5. What are some ways to encourage customers to pay by credit card rather than in cash?

Cash handling skills are important for cashiers, but employers also want to know that you can encourage customers to use credit cards. This is because it’s more efficient and saves the company money on processing fees. When answering this question, consider mentioning a few ways you’ve seen or heard of that help customers feel comfortable using their credit card.

Example: “I think one way to get customers to pay by credit card is to make sure they’re aware of how much time it takes to process a transaction in cash. I’ve worked at places where we had signs posted around the store letting people know how long it would take to count out change and hand over bills. It definitely made some customers decide to just swipe their card instead.”

6. How would you deal with someone who tries to return something they bought and paid for using counterfeit money?

Cashiers are often the first line of defense against counterfeit money. Interviewers want to know how you would react in this situation and if you have any experience with it.

Example: “I’ve never had a customer try to return something they bought using counterfeit money, but I think my reaction would depend on what kind of cash they used. If it was real currency that looked like it had been tampered with, I’d ask them why they were returning it. If they said they didn’t like it or thought it was fake, I’d explain that we can only accept returns for items purchased with genuine currency. If they insisted on returning it anyway, I’d refuse their request.”

7. When counting currency at the end of the shift, how can you tell if there’s fake money in it?

Cash handling is a critical skill for cashiers, and employers want to make sure you know how to handle money safely. They may ask this question to see if you have experience with counterfeit currency. In your answer, explain that you would look at the security features of each bill. You can also mention that you would count all bills twice to ensure accuracy.

Example: “I’ve never had to deal with fake money before, but I know it’s important to check the security features on each bill. For example, when looking at a $20 bill, I would check the watermark, security thread and portrait. If any of these are missing or damaged, then I know there might be something wrong with the bill.”

8. What are the benefits of having separate registers for each type of transaction?

This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of cash handling procedures and how you apply them to daily operations. Cashiers often need to know when it’s appropriate to use separate registers for different types of transactions, such as large bills or small bills, so they can keep track of their money and ensure accurate totals at the end of each shift.

Example: “Having separate registers for each type of transaction is beneficial because it allows me to accurately count my change and make sure I don’t lose any money during a shift. It also helps me keep track of which register I used for specific transactions, which makes it easier to reconcile my total sales at the end of my shift.”

9. In order to avoid theft, how often should you count your cash?

Cash handling is a critical skill for cashiers. Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to keep their company’s money safe from theft. In your answer, explain how you would count the cash in your register and when you would do it. You can also mention that you have experience with specific software or apps that help you track your cash.

Example: “I try to count my cash at least once per shift. I find that doing so helps me notice if any bills are missing. If I’m using an app like KashFlow, I can set up automatic reminders to count my cash throughout the day. This ensures that I don’t forget to check my cash and reduces the risk of theft.”

10. How often should you balance your cash drawer? Can you explain why this is important?

Cash handling is a critical skill for cashiers, and balancing the drawer is an important part of this process. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how often you should balance your drawer and why it’s necessary. In your answer, explain that balancing your drawer at least once per shift is best practice. Explain that doing so helps ensure accuracy in your work and protects against theft or loss.

Example: “I believe it’s important to balance my drawer at least once per shift. Doing so ensures I’m accurately counting all of the money in my drawer before I close out each day. It also helps me catch any mistakes or discrepancies early on, which can help prevent losses or theft. If I notice something amiss, I can address it right away rather than waiting until the end of my shift.”

11. What would you do if a customer asks for change but you’re short on coins?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to solve the problem and keep customers happy.

Example: “If I’m short on change, I would first apologize to the customer and offer them another form of payment or an item for free. If they’re okay with that, I would give them their purchase and ask if they could come back later when we have more coins available. If they’re not okay with that, I would try my best to find some change so I don’t lose the sale.”

12. What would you do if a customer gave you a $100 bill even though you were only expecting a $20 bill?

Cashiers often encounter situations where customers give them the wrong amount of money. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle these types of situations and that you have experience doing so. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to solve this problem.

Example: “If a customer gave me a $100 bill when I was expecting only a $20 bill, I would politely inform them of their mistake. Then, I would count out the change they were due based on the total purchase price. If there wasn’t enough cash in the register to cover the difference, I would find another employee who could help me count out the rest of the money.”

13. How can you prevent false chargebacks from occurring?

Cashiers are often responsible for preventing false chargebacks from occurring. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to prevent these situations and the steps you take to do so. In your answer, explain what a false chargeback is and give an example of how you would prevent one from happening in your previous role.

Example: “A false chargeback occurs when a customer claims they didn’t receive their purchase or that it was damaged. I have had to deal with customers who claim they never received their order after receiving it. To prevent false chargebacks, I always double-check my work before handing over the cash. If there’s any doubt about whether the customer has received their order, I will call them to confirm.”

14. What procedures should you follow when accepting checks as payment?

Cashiers often handle checks as payment, so employers ask this question to make sure you know how to do it correctly. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of the process and any special considerations that come with accepting checks.

Example: “When I accept a check as payment, I always make sure to verify the customer’s name on the front of the check before I take it from them. This is important because if there are insufficient funds in the account, I can return the check to the customer without having to wait for it to clear. If the amount matches what they’re paying, I’ll date-stamp the back of the check and place it in my register. Then, I’ll deposit the check into our bank within five business days.”

15. What kind of behavior or actions are considered suspicious?

Cash handling employees need to be aware of suspicious behavior and actions. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with this type of situation. Use your answer to highlight your ability to recognize when something is out of place or unusual.

Example: “I’ve had a few experiences where I noticed customers acting in an odd way while they were at the register. In one instance, a customer was paying for their items but kept looking around the store. When I asked them about it, they said they were waiting for someone else to pay for their own items so they could leave. They didn’t want to wait any longer because they needed to get home.

In another case, a customer was trying to buy alcohol with cash. That’s usually a red flag, so I asked them why they weren’t using a credit card. They told me that they wanted to save money on interest charges. I explained that we can report these types of purchases to the state, which would result in fines for them.”