How to count back change

The first step in counting back money is to always keep in mind how much you were given. Always hold the amount given away from other monies until you have given accurate change.

In this case, assume that the customer gave the cashier a $100.00 bill and the amount owed is $38.62 meaning the customer is now owed $61.38.

With the $100 bill sitting on the register in front of you, the next thing you will do is count the change owed to the customer back to yourself. Since you know that the amount owed the customer is $61.38, you want to start with the largest bills first:

• 1 $50 bill
• 1 $10 bill

(note: that you may need to substitue 3 $20 bills depending on the store

• 1 $1.00 bill
• 1 Quarter
• 1 Dime
• 3 Pennies

Before you count this change to the customer, count it one more time to ensure it is accurate.

Since you removed the change due to the customer from the register, you now have to count back to the customer to ensure that they understand how you calculated the change due to them. While you counted from the largest denomination to the smallest when you were obtaining the change, you want to do the opposite to the customer.

To Customer: You gave me $100 and your bill was $38.62, your change is $61.38.

Count:

• Pennies: 3 makes $38.65
• Dime: 1 makes $38.75
• Quarter: 1 makes $39.00
• Dollar: 1 makes $40.00
• Bills (either 3 $20 makes $100 or 1 $10 makes $50 and 1 $50 makes $100)

Now you have succcessfully provided the customer with change for $100 against their bill of $38.62.

Now that you are positive that the customer has received the proper change, you can deposit the $100 bill into the cash register. Counting back change in this manner will always result in 100% accuracy.