Credit Counselors
Tasks Include:
- Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
- Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
- Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
- Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
- Estimate time for debt repayment, given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
- Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
- Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.
- Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.
more »
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Projections Quick View:
Virginia: +11.8%
National: +9.1%
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone:
Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Income Range:
Highest ($50,000 and up)
Median Earnings:
National
$47,320.00
State
$49,670.00
Regional
Credit Counselors
Description
Career Cluster: | Human Services |
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.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Education
Required Level of Education
- Bachelor's Degree = 40%
- High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) = 36%
- Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) = 12%
- Some College Courses = 8%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 4%
Related Work Experience
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 44%
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 24%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 16%
- None = 8%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 4%
- Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years = 4%
On-Site or In-Plant Training
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 25%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 25%
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 20.83%
- Up to and including 1 month = 16.67%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 8.33%
- None = 4.17%
On-the-Job Training
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 44%
- Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 24%
- Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 16%
- Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 8%
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 8%
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
- Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
- Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
- Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
- Estimate time for debt repayment, given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
- Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
- Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.
- 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.
- Prepare written documents to establish contracts with or communicate financial recommendations to clients.
- 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.
- Recommend educational materials or resources to clients on matters, such as financial planning, budgeting, or credit.
- 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.
- Refer clients to social service or community resources for needs beyond those of credit or debt counseling.
- Review changes to financial, family, or employment situations to determine whether changes to existing debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets are needed.
- Advise clients on housing matters, such as housing rental, homeownership, mortgage delinquency, or foreclosure prevention.
- Conduct research to help clients avoid repossessions or foreclosures or remove levies or wage garnishments.
- Create action plans to assist clients in obtaining permanent housing via rent or mortgage programs.
- Explain general financial topics to clients, such as credit report ratings, bankruptcy laws, consumer protection laws, wage attachments, or collection actions.
- 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.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- 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.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Additional Resources
Information about a career as a mortgage loan officer can be obtained from:
Mortgage Bankers Association of America
1125 15th St. NW.
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.mbaa.org
State bankers' associations can furnish specific information about job opportunities in their State. Also individual banks can supply information about job openings and the activities
responsibilities and preferred qualifications of their loan officers.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Knowledge
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
91.00 | Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
77.00 | English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
66.00 | Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
62.00 | Administrative | Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
61.00 | Education and Training | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
57.00 | Economics and Accounting | Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data. |
50.00 | Psychology | Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Skills
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
75.00 | Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
72.00 | Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
72.00 | Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
68.75 | Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
68.75 | Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
65.50 | Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
65.50 | Service Orientation | Actively looking for ways to help people. |
62.50 | Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
62.50 | Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
59.50 | Persuasion | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
56.25 | Negotiation | Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. |
53.00 | Mathematics | Using mathematics to solve problems. |
53.00 | Learning Strategies | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
53.00 | Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
53.00 | Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
53.00 | Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
50.00 | Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
50.00 | Systems Evaluation | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Abilities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
78.00 | Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
75.00 | Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
72.00 | Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
68.75 | Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
68.75 | Deductive Reasoning | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
68.75 | Inductive Reasoning | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
68.75 | Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. |
56.25 | Speech Recognition | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
56.25 | Speech Clarity | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
56.25 | Information Ordering | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
56.25 | Near Vision | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
53.00 | Fluency of Ideas | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
53.00 | Mathematical Reasoning | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. |
53.00 | Number Facility | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. |
50.00 | Selective Attention | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Work Activities
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
89.00 | Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
84.75 | Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
84.75 | Working with Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
78.00 | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
75.00 | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
75.00 | Communicating with People Outside the Organization | Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
73.00 | Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
71.00 | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
71.00 | Performing Administrative Activities | Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
70.00 | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
68.75 | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
68.50 | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
67.00 | Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
65.50 | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
61.50 | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
60.50 | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others | Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
55.50 | Thinking Creatively | Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
55.00 | Assisting and Caring for Others | Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
54.25 | Coaching and Developing Others | Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
54.25 | Providing Consultation and Advice to Others | Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
53.00 | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
52.25 | Training and Teaching Others | Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
52.00 | Scheduling Work and Activities | Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
51.00 | Developing Objectives and Strategies | Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Work Styles
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
99.00 | Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
94.00 | Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
92.00 | Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
91.00 | Attention to Detail | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
90.00 | Self-Control | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
87.00 | Cooperation | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
85.00 | Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
85.00 | Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
83.00 | Analytical Thinking | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
81.00 | Achievement/Effort | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
80.00 | Initiative | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
75.00 | Independence | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
72.00 | Persistence | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
67.00 | Leadership | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
66.00 | Social Orientation | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
62.00 | Innovation | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Work Values
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
77.83 | Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
72.17 | Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
72.17 | Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
61.17 | Working Conditions | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
50.00 | Recognition | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Work Context
% | Subject | Description |
---|---|---|
96.80 | Electronic Mail | How often do you use electronic mail in this job? |
95.20 | Telephone | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
92.80 | Spend Time Sitting | How much does this job require sitting? |
89.60 | Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
88.80 | Frequency of Decision Making | How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? |
86.60 | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? |
86.40 | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? |
84.80 | Freedom to Make Decisions | How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
83.40 | Letters and Memos | How often does the job require written letters and memos? |
81.60 | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? |
81.60 | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? |
80.80 | Structured versus Unstructured Work | To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
79.20 | Face-to-Face Discussions | How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
76.80 | Time Pressure | How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? |
75.20 | Work With Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? |
72.80 | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? |
71.60 | Deal With External Customers | How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? |
70.40 | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People | How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? |
68.60 | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | How much does this job require making repetitive motions? |
60.00 | Degree of Automation | How automated is the job? |
57.60 | Coordinate or Lead Others | How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? |
57.60 | Level of Competition | To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures? |
54.20 | Frequency of Conflict Situations | How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? |
52.00 | Public Speaking | How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job? |
49.60 | Physical Proximity | To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Overall 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.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
- Examples
- Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Earnings Benefits*
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
---|---|---|---|
United States | $33,670.00 | $47,320.00 | $58,390.00 |
Virginia | $37,980.00 | $49,670.00 | $62,370.00 |
Region | Entry Level | Median | Experienced |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | $39,289.89 | $50,660.25 | $62,072.42 |
Central VA/Region2000 | $38,541.32 | $43,871.08 | $51,875.91 |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | $38,465.85 | $49,917.79 | $58,563.10 |
Hampton Roads | $37,409.28 | $49,017.26 | $58,623.27 |
New River/Mt. Rogers | $34,956.53 | $42,534.05 | $48,232.99 |
Northern Virginia | $45,464.09 | $55,427.05 | $70,482.14 |
Piedmont Workforce | $42,297.44 | $50,421.60 | $64,999.40 |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | $35,939.67 | $41,527.45 | $49,982.04 |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | $37,921.25 | $47,385.50 | $54,818.19 |
* Earnings Calculations:
Regional Earnings:
Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.
National and State Earnings:
Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Employment Projections
Current | Projected | % Change | |
---|---|---|---|
United States | 35,300 | 38,500 | +9.1% |
Virginia | 509 | 569 | +11.8% |
Region | Current* | Projected | % Change |
Alexandria/Arlington | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Bay Consortium | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Capital Region Workforce Partnership | 134 | 151 | +12.7% |
Central VA/Region2000 | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Crater Area | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Greater Peninsula | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Hampton Roads | No Data | No Data | No Data |
New River/Mt. Rogers | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Northern Virginia | 99 | 116 | +17.2% |
Piedmont Workforce | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Shenandoah Valley | No Data | No Data | No Data |
South Central | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Southwestern Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
West Piedmont | No Data | No Data | No Data |
Western Virginia | No Data | No Data | No Data |
The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Related Occupations
Related Occupations
The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:- Personal Financial Advisors
- Loan Officers
- Credit Analysts
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Financial Managers
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Bill and Account Collectors
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Insurance Sales Agents
- New Accounts Clerks
- Tax Preparers
- Customer Service Representatives
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Accountants and Auditors
Careers in Consumer Services Pathway:
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
View Videos
CareerOneStop Video
View Video & Transcript on CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop Human Services Videos
Overview
Occupations
The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Proficiency Ratings
These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Titles
- Branch Credit Counselor
- Consumer Credit Counselor
- Credit Counselor
- Credit Support Counselor
- Debt and Budget Counselor
- Debt Counselor
- Debt Management Counselor
- Financial Counselor
- Mortgage Counselor
- Mortgage Loan Counselor
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)
Credit Counselors
Related Schools
- Hampton University
- Regent University
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)