financial advisor

shift leader

assistant leader

store manager

software engineer

Amscot

BENEFITS

EASY WORK 
The concepts that you learn are easy to grasp and a lot of what you do will be routine: counting money, cashing check, give loans and sign contracts, pay bills, send/receive Western Union, fax, notary, and other clerical duties. If you have decent math skills, focus on your work and follow compliance policies, you will do well. 

STARTING PAY
Amscot starting pay for Financial Service Associate or FSA is $12-$15, which is pretty good and slightly higher than most banks, especially for needing only a High School diploma and some Customer Service and Cash Handling experience. However, you only get $.50 raise as you move up in each management position in the branch: Assistant Leader, Co Leader, and Branch Leader, respectively. The overtime pay is what allows the Branch Leader to make 50-60K a year. 

OVERTIME
You get paid 1.5x the rate after your regular 40 hours. You can easily find overtime at Amscot as each branch is staffed just enough to not hire any part-time employee. The first week of the month is the busiest as customers need to borrow money and pay bills; therefore, you will find yourself scheduled for 8-10 extra hours during that week. On average, the associates are scheduled for this amount of hours: FSA - 43, AL - 46, CL - 50, BL - 65. If another branch needs coverage, you may pick up that shift on your day off. You may also pick up an extra shift at your own branch if your co-worker calls out. 

SECURE WORK AREA
Amscot bullet proof glass makes it a safe working environment. You are locked behind bullet proof glass with only a small opening to slide documents through. Their security system helps you in getting in and out of the store safely during night times. Once you Clock-In, you are not permitted to leave the secure area until you Clock-Out, unless there’s an emergency. Only authorized personnels are permitted to enter the working area. 

ADVANCEMENT
There are lot of opportunities for advancement because the company has a high turn-over rate, which is why it’s constantly hiring. Amscot uses the same system at all of its stores so you can apply to move up in any store. There have been associates who moved up as soon as 3 months to an Assistant Leader and within 2 years as a Branch Leader. Unfortunately, advancement opportunities become scarce the higher you move up. 

401K
Amscot has a 401K plan that helps you save for retirement. It matches up to a certain percentage of your contribution. Although Amscot’s matching contribution isn’t nearly as much as banks or other financial institutions, it is still a plus to have a 401K.

CONS 

NO WORK/LIFE BALANCE
Unfortunately, Amscot’s schedule makes it impossible to have a work and life balance. Most stores are open 7AM - 11PM, 365 days a year. 1/4 of its stores are opened 24hours. You are expected to be available from 6:15AM to 1AM. There are NO set schedules and NO two-day weekends. You are given ONE Week day and ONE Weekend day OFF. You CAN and WILL be scheduled for 10 - 16hrs on any day, for many days. You CAN and WILL be scheduled to close and then open back-to-back, leaving the store at 11PM one night, and then coming back at 6:15AM the following morning. If an associate calls out, you may have to work beyond your scheduled shift. Of course, you will be compensated with over-time pay. But for those with families and significant others, this put more stress on them as their family and personal time are shortened. 

LONG SHIFT/LITTLE BREAK
Depending on which store you work at, you may or may not get a decent break. If customers enter the store, you are expected to “Beat Them to the Window” and ready to help. The first week of the month is the busiest and often customers trickle through out the day. Often, customers will enter the store during your lunch break, and depending on your staffing that day, you will be expected to stop eating and help them. Many associates have gone through their shift without taking a break because there are too many customers and managers have gone through 10+ hour shifts without eating lunch because they feel the pressure to be on duty at all times. The only upside to this is that you get paid for all the time that you’re there, even when you do take a break. 

PERSONAL SACRIFICES
Without a work/life balance, you will have to make some sacrifices to stay on top of the schedule. There have been managers who missed out on their children growing up because they have to work 60 hours a week, associates who saw their partners only a few hours a day because of their long shift, and managers who lost sleep because one of their associates called out. Amscot does NOT permit you to be in school or have a second job. They are very vocal from the beginning that you must have NO SCHEDULE RESTRICTION as your personal and family life must be scheduled around the company’s. 

LITTLE INCENTIVES
The company used to have more perks and rewards 10 years ago- which was partly why it was named One of Tampa Bay’s “Best Places to Work”. Employees used to enjoy getting Publix's Gift Cards year round for meeting branch goals and auditing compliance. Unfortunately, those days are over. The only reward program the company has today is the Perfect Performer Program. At the end of every quarter, associates may earn an extra 10% of their last pay and 8 hrs PTO to be used within the next 6 months. If you have no tardy, no customer complaints, no training issues, no infraction of any kind in the previous quarter, you may be eligible for this reward. Often, this program is really “carrot of a stick”, as the company will count everything to disqualify you. Also, if your branch meet collection goals, each associate will receive a $20-$25 restaurant gift card. This goal is achieved once in a blue moon. 

NO SICK OR PERSONAL DAY
There are NO Sick or Personal Day at Amscot. You are expected to be at work even if you are slightly sick, as your absence is frowned upon and will result in extra stress being placed on other associates. Besides the Perfect Performer Program, the only true PTO that you have is your Vacation. Entry level associates will earn 1 week vacation ONLY after their 1st full fiscal year (beginning in May). 2 - 4 years associates will earn 2 weeks vacation. Only after 5 years of employment will you earn 3 weeks vacation. Most bank employees enjoy 2 - 3 weeks PTO in the FIRST year. 

WORKING ON HOLIDAYS
Amscot has only 6 Paid Holidays. However, it is opened during ALL Holidays, which means you will be scheduled to work on a Holiday and 8 extra hours will be added to your week (without over-time pay). The only Holidays in which most associates get to be off are Christmas and Thanksgiving where only ONE associate will work. If you are an Assistant Leader or a Co-Leader, you will have to work during Christmas or Thanksgiving getting paid 2X your pay rate, plus 8 hours Holiday Pay. Most bank employees enjoy at least 10 Paid Holidays, in which their stores are closed and the employees actually get paid for it. 

BENEFIT IS MEDIOCRE
Health insurance is expensive at Amscot, even the lowest premium plan has an expensive copay. Most banks and credit unions offer the same or slightly better benefits. At Amscot, there are No Tuition Reimbursement, No Commuter Benefits, No Scholarship for Family Members. There are some Discounts & Savings perks that rarely anyone use. Overall, the benefits package at Amscot is very basic and limited. 

LACK OF TRUST 
The company discourages employees from socializing outside of work due to fear of employees planning to plot against it. Employees are threatened with termination if found associating with each other outside of work. Their every move is being monitored by the company. There are no company social, no parties, no company wide celebration, no holiday celebration. The only celebration they do are held at Home Office for promotions of Co-Leaders, Branch Leaders, and other Corporate Office employees. You get to read about it later in the newsletter. 

MANAGEMENT DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOU
The bottom line is management doesn’t care about you. Most of the benefits you get of working at Amscot what you can do for the company while going above and beyond. When it come to your personal life, it matters little. The company expect you to be available when it needs you and compensate you with a slightly higher starting pay. But in the long run, you will make lots of sacrifices for this company. You are not a human being with needs and priorities beyond work. You are a replaceable worker, who’s given an extra dollar to be put on a leash.

My experience has been mostly positive after 10+ years with Amscot. The pay is good with opportunities to advance. It does require a lot of intelligence and a great attitude. If you can't brush off the negative then it's not for you. I will only address the cons that the company has the ability to change without changing their business model. (They can't change the fact that you will work weekends, have to learn a lot of info, etc.)
The cons are there is no bonus program for management. Very odd for a company that considers themselves retail. There is no sick pay. After 5 years you have 3 weeks of vacation a year. You better save a week til the end just in case you get sick. You can't call out sick unless you go to the doctor. It's hard to cover shifts when someone is out, so nobody does it, but it would be nice to have a little sick time available just in case.
BL's work about 55 hours a week with a huge chunk of your check being overtime pay! This is how BL'S make their money. The dollar per hour tops out around $19 which is low considering the position. I haven't gotten a raise in years and top out has never been increased in the last ten years.  But with overtime you make $50k- $65k per year. It is not a salary position and they are great about making sure you are compensated for every moment. BL'S paychecks are good, but you work for it.
Vacation pay is only 40 hours though even though BL'S work 50+ hours, without exception. So when I take a vacation my paycheck is drastically short. It would be fair if they would pay us an average number of hours we work and just make it straight pay. 
Amscot has a policy for all leaders in the branch, including assistants, that if your branch did not grow over last year's numbers you will not receive a raise no matter how high you scored on your evaluation. My worst moments as a manager have been to give an employee a glowing review, thank them for all their hard work and dedication, but tell them the company will not give them a raise because our branch didn't grow.. I have had to do this to some of the best people that Amscot was lucky to have.  This policy sends the message that you are not valued. I hope amscot will eventually realize the very strong negative message this sends. Everyone knows about it even if its never effected them and it destroys morale. I know there are people who have decided not to seek promotion or have looked for another job over this. The idea behind is it that leaders are accountable for their goals but there are many factors beyond your control. But employees see it as the company trying to get out of raises. You could have the best team out there and your branch just might not be growing because of a number of outside factors. 
District level management has always been good to me. Upper level management is ok. 
Bottom line, it's a good place to work. If you don't mind long hours and dealing with the public it's for you. 
Overall I like it here and it was a great career move for me.  I'm a believer in Amscot and i hope they will eventually work toward some more employee conscious policies.

This is simply the worst job! No BREAKS No LUNCHES! You cannot leave the building other than to take out the trash at certain times. Employees are rude to customers always screaming at them to come up to a window, treating them like it is a cattle call. Amscot wants customers to wait at a window rather than have a sit in the lobby. You have to help more than one customer at a time or you get yelled at for making them 'wait'. More errors happen that way and when you drawer is not balanced you have to explain why.They have bad polices like counting the money three times and also you have to keep track of audits on your drawer in two different forms which is dumb because they can just pull a report. They always preach about saving time yet do things that waste time. The owner has been in trouble with the law for fraud, not sure how he has managed to stay in business. Gives cash advances to old people on social security who will never pay their way out of debt because of their fixed income and they lend money to mentally ill people. Yet they claim that the lend out responsibly.  Recently started using government scare tactics to have people sign up for a petition that would limit their use of cash advances by telling them 'the government will take away your cash advances' which isn't true. You are not entitled to a raise unless your branch performs really well. Even though you have no control what so ever on who comes in and who doesn't. They refuse to give time off of any kind, you must be there one year before you can take any time off - and you have to take it all at once. No sick days either so if you are sick, you have to come in to work. Also you must have a car because of the way they open and close, if you do not they will not hire you. You have to clean at the end of the night in 15 minutes, which is nasty because customers clean out their cars in the little tiny trash bins Amscot provides, also must mop, sweep, take out the trash. clean spit off windows etc. They have a music CD that plays on repeat 24/7 enough you drive you mad. Customers are low class angry people, but I guess if I was in debt and couldn't get a bank account and got cash advances every week then I would be angry too. Long hours required at Amscot, you will work 11-15 hours in one day! Yup - standing all day getting a hard time from customers, with no break or lunch. The schedule is all over the place you will open then the next day close or close late and open early. You will not get two days off in a row, usually one weekend and one week day, you never feel refreshed because you are always drained from the stress of this job. The job description, recruiter, trainer none of them tell you how it REALLY is here. This is not a typical retail job. You have to go through class room training for a week (must pass all the test or they fire you) then you go to a branch for a week to train then on the last day they surprise you on your 'home branch'. Moving up is worthless you only get 50 cents when you 'move up' and you get a ton more responsibility. You will work every holiday even Christmas because low lives need their cash advances even on Christmas Day.

If you are single and have no children, don't like spending time with your family or having time for yourself, this is the perfect job for you. I applied because I was in need of a job, and I saw that the pay was good.  After 2 weeks from applying the recruiter send me an email that I got an interview.  You have to take a very simple math test, If you pass it then they interview you, if don't, well, you know.  The training is very intense.  It requires a lot of concentration because they are ruled by the government so you have to know all the procedures, laws, and regulations.  You HAVE to pass all the tests and quizzes with more that 85%.  If you pass, that's when you start working at the branch they assign you.  
I have to be honest.  What they teach you at the training center and what you do at the branch is completely different.  They don't teach you how to use the system, just a few things, so when you get to the branch you will feel completely lost. 
At the branch that they assign me to, the employees were very rude to the customers, they scream to them and treat them like if they were idiots.  Management is very poor. If you are new, good luck the first of each month.  Depending of the transactions the managers have to give you a lots of passwords, and if its very busy you will feel very uncomfortable because that's how they make you feel for asking. The hours are CRAZY, specially if you work in a small branch. You can close on a Friday and leave at 11 pm, then open the next day and you have to be there before 6:30 am. They don't care.  On your days off, they make you go and do the buddy system, so you have to be there very early in the morning even if you don't work that day.  There are no lunch breaks, which is crazy because if you work on a busy day you will have no time to eat, not even a snack, and if you ask for at least 10 minute break they give you the look.  You will have no family time, you will only get a weekday off, and a weekend day off. So if you have plans, be sure it's nothing big.  The management even tell you that Amscot is consuming all family time, no time for yourself.  The only way they compensate you is in the pay wage. Nothing else.  So, if you are going to apply, I recommend you to think about it very carefully.

Amscot as a whole is a decent company but unless you want to be a branch leader and stay in the branches indefinitely then you need to have a goal of where you want to end up, such as the corporate offices in Tampa, a training location, or in maintenance or tech support.  In theory Amscot does hire from within for all of these positions.
 
Each branch is unique.  Each branch manager dictates what the atmosphere of the branch.  Some managers are easy going and allow for more open communication between the employees and about mistakes being made, while others are more strict and very precise about what they want and expect.  

There is no leadership or communication training at the corporate level as far as I can tell.  Many managers achieved their current position by getting into the good graces of the manager who they worked with the longest, for that reason they seem to automatically inherit their former mangers general style of leadership (strict or relaxed)

Advancement can be rapid early on but there is a choke point once you reach the Co-leader position (Assistant Branch Manager).  This is because of the large number of Co-leaders and the small number of openings to become a Branch Manager.  Further advancement can be sought in the corporate office located in Tampa or at a training location if you ware willing to relocate.  

Early advancement is easy if you listen to what your manager says, display some minimal competencies by keeping the number of mistakes you make low, and showing that you want to learn and move to the next position. This you are likely to get promoted quickly.  I was promoted from Financial Services Associate To Assistant Leader in 60 days and to Co-Leader in less than a year.  To help make this happen you should expect to work holidays and since Amscot is open 365 days a year there will be plenty to work on.

I have worked in many different customer service jobs like retail, hotels, and even office. But I have to say this place is awesome. My leaders and fellow employees are great. Distract leader is great. And the work is great. Customers everywhere are gonna have there attitudes whether positive or negative. And there are busier days while not so busy days. And not all branches or even distracts are the same. I have been encouraged from day one that I will go far and already working on a assistant leader promotion after only 6 weeks. I use to be a manager at my previous job but always felt overwhelmed or fatigue from lack of freedom. Here you get paid very well, for the work, it's very well and minimum. and your guaranteed two days off. When I've worked jobs that would only have one to none sometimes. It a week day off and a weekend day off so if you have things to do or people to see. My branch leader works with us on scheduling. I know the branches around us do too. She tries to make it fair to all so one person isn't closing all the time or opening all the time. If you have certain day, you need day or night shift she works with that to. Working a job isn't all about wins. Unless you're your own boss. And for a company in the financial services... To me it's a win. You learn so much. And training in a whole 3 weeks. They don't just give you a few days and throw to the sharks. Even if your a quick learner or have some money training. They want you to succeed. Financial laws are federal and very important, so of course. I've honestly heard bad things but everything is he said she said. Not all jobs are suitable for everyone. But if you are a focus, work driven person, and honest. This is the place for you. Yes you get a short lunch, but you get paid to eat. Yes you can't leave till your shift is over, but that's for yours and your employees safety. Yes you have some long days,but you also have some short ones too. And some days are slow and some are crazy busy. Many of these things are just part of having a job. 

I worked for Amscot for just under six years, and one day I just couldn't take it anymore. The pay is good and I moved up quickly; I was a Coleader in less than a year. Amscot rules with what we called a culture of fear. You were constantly afraid of getting fired. They also required you to do things that I felt was unethical. Every morning you were required to call banks of customers that had not paid their cash advances. You would then enter their account number and use the social to pretend to be them and check their balance. As an employee you were required to lie to customers and tell them that you shred their paperwork when they requested it back, when really we would keep it on file. We were also required to make copies of military IDs which I thought was against the law. One time my district leader had another Coleader take 3 customer's personal checks and take them in her personal vehicle over to another branch and then home for the night. No harassment policy was a joke. They left two people alone many of times and most branches didn't have cameras in the back; there were many things that went on that as a women you would feel very uncomfortable. I really enjoyed working with the customers and the actual job itself was good. The fear was terrible and the belittling that you endured from your district leader and branch leader. The schedule was what I hated most you were never allowed to request to change it at all. Often the branch leaders would call other employees on there days off and "get on to them" if they made any type of mistake like not signing a contract. When I worked at the Palm Bay road location the branch leader would keep tally marks of how many times each person used the restroom. Overall the job is good for the pay and the actual job itself. I meat a lot of good people and I learned many things, but you have to weigh the quality of life compared to money.

Definitely not an easy job to acquire. You have to meet all of the requirements and qualify for the position. There are rotating shifts which may require flexibility  uniforms are excellent and look professional. Some branches are toxic because of the workers The work culture at some branches may be off putting due to the personal dispositions of some employees, but some branches are nice to work at.  You're standing on your feet for a considerable amount of time and and you will qualify for PTO after a year of employment. This can potentially turn into a career if you choose, there is plenty of room for advancement. The pay is decent. Depending on the needs of the branch you'll be employed at, you may be able to have some flexibility around your school schedule if you're a student. Amscot has hired people of  a wide range of ages, 18-55+, some have become complacent because they have earned themselves a lucrative role after reaping the fruits of their effort. Be careful, upon initial employment don't expect premature wage increases because of "wishful thinking", you will have well received salary increases in due time as it is earned fairly. I personally know of some employees age 50+ who live comfortably at the wage they started off many years ago when they were hired. Some people put out unrealistic perceptions of what a specific age group should be making while being employed at Amscot for a specific duration. I have made a comfortable living during my employment at AMscot.  It's a good cushion job and you can easily advance, lol. All the best!

Amscot pays pretty well for how easy the job is. It’s all reputation and mostly common sense. Amscot does give a nice and throughout training before you even see a customer (((((yes a lot of the computer and product knowledge does come from practice with customers)))).  

You will start off fairly stressed out but that’s with any job, and the nice thing about this one is that you’ll have your co-workers to actually help you. 

Everyone started from where you are as a FSA so guess what; they understand what your going through.

You will learn your regulars, I’ve had people that literally came everyday ( usually server from nearby restaurants). 
So it’s easy to start learning thier names and astablishing a good relationship with customers, ensuring they come back. 

Now yes will have customers who make you so stressed and so frustrated with how rude, inconsiderate, or just ignorant or dumb they can be. But come on and wake up, smell the roses because that any customer service job.  Expectially when your basically working with other people money, your bound to get someone to cuss or yell at you if you make a mistake or won’t do exaclty what they want. 
 
But you got a job to and laws to follow, as long as you are follow amscot procedures and state/federal law then your okay, with that said don’t intentionally upset a customer always be polite. 

Also easy to get promoted fairly fast.

Over all this is honestly an easy job, with good pay and definitely gives you hours, expectially if you ask for some. 

Ps I worked at a fairly busy branch, we weren’t a 24 hour but we closed at 10pm

Pros: I am an associate working with Amscot since May 2011. Before working with Amscot I did not know much about the company other than my experience as a customer from a couple of visits. I have a 4yr degree in Business Administration and over 6yrs experience in Office Management. But you don’t need a degree only HS or GED is required and they provide training. When I applied I was desperately looking for a career, another long term position with advancement and benefits. I found that with Amscot. Unlike my previous job, I have been promoted several times in the 4 yrs I have been working with the company and my first promotion happened 90 days in. What I like most about working here is the people, the different teams I have worked with. Every branch I learned so much from my leaders and with their support and encouragement I have achieved a lot. Now, believe me when I say is very hard work but if you like what you do, thrive under pressure and like challenge Amscot is a perfect fit.  Another benefit is you can get promoted within months, with that receive a pay increase and become a leader. Overtime is available which doesn’t hurt. 

Cons: In my leadership positions I have worked long hours for me this is NOT a con, I was looking to earn additional income and I received overtime pay for every minute I worked over regular hours. I adapted pretty quickly to the rotating schedules, and they are posted in advance so I can make arrangements. I always get a day off during the week and one day off during the weekend. The pay is AWESOME from the start, add to that the pay increase by promotion and the overtime pay. Let’s just say I am a very happy employee.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Financial advisor 7 salaries reported	$15.79 per hour
Shift leader 5 salaries reported	$16.00 per hour
Assistant leader 3 salaries reported	$15.33 per hour
Store manager 1 salary reported	$40,000 per year
Software engineer 1 salary reported	$77,500 per year

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