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Credit Counselors

Credit Counselors is the O*NET name for people who advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. The skills rated most useful are speaking, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. One core duty is to create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals. Its interest code is CSE. Conventional leads at 5.4 out of 7, so expect orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, with Social next at 4.9. Getting in usually takes a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience, a level O*NET calls considerable preparation. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
  • Explain general financial topics to clients, such as credit report ratings, bankruptcy laws, consumer protection laws, wage attachments, or collection actions.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You get energy from helping other people move forward.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and reading comprehension.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CSE takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Also called

  • Accredited Financial Counselor
  • Budget Credit Counselor
  • Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor
  • Certified Credit Consultant
  • Certified Credit Counselor

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.