Credit Counselors
Human Advantage 78%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.2 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. May provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explain loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management plans or student financial aid packages. May advise on credit issues, or provide budget, mortgage, bankruptcy, or student financial aid counseling.
Also Known As: Accredited Financial Counselor, Branch Credit Counselor, Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor, Certified Credit Consultant, Certified Credit Counselor, Certified Credit and Housing Counselor, Consumer Credit Counselor, Credit Associate +32 more
Core Tasks
- Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
- Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
- Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
- Prioritize client debt repayment to avoid dire consequences, such as bankruptcy or foreclosure or to reduce overall costs, such as by paying high-interest or short-term loans first.
- Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
- Recommend strategies for clients to meet their financial goals, such as borrowing money through loans or loan programs, declaring bankruptcy, making budget adjustments, or enrolling in debt management plans.
- Explain general financial topics to clients, such as credit report ratings, bankruptcy laws, consumer protection laws, wage attachments, or collection actions.
- Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.
- Estimate time for debt repayment, given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
- Prepare written documents to establish contracts with or communicate financial recommendations to clients.
- Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.
- Negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients to arrange for payment adjustments, interest rate reductions, time extensions, or payment plans.
- Advise clients on housing matters, such as housing rental, homeownership, mortgage delinquency, or foreclosure prevention.
- Create action plans to assist clients in obtaining permanent housing via rent or mortgage programs.
- Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
- Review changes to financial, family, or employment situations to determine whether changes to existing debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets are needed.
- Recommend educational materials or resources to clients on matters, such as financial planning, budgeting, or credit.
- Refer clients to social service or community resources for needs beyond those of credit or debt counseling.
- Explain loan information to clients, such as available loan types, eligibility requirements, or loan restrictions.
- Teach courses or seminars on topics, such as budgeting, management of personal finances, or financial literacy.
- Conduct research to help clients avoid repossessions or foreclosures or remove levies or wage garnishments.
Supplemental Tasks (2)
- Disburse funds from client accounts to creditors.
- Investigate missing checks, payment histories, held funds, returned checks, or other related issues to resolve client or creditor problems.
Education & Training
Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (23)
Tools & Equipment (7)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Banking & Credit Financial Services
Zone 4
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