Credit Counselors :: Job Description

ExistingUsers

User Name:

Password:

Forgot your password?
Click here

NewUsers

FeaturedResources

Credit Counselors

Careers / Credit Counselors

Summary Description


	Advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. May provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explaining loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management plans, advise on credit issues, or provide budget, mortgage, and bankruptcy counseling.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Assistant Director for Financial Literacy

2.	Branch Credit Counselor

3.	Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor

4.	Certified Credit Counselor

5.	Certified Personal Finance Counselor

6.	Consumer Credit Counselor

7.	Counseling Program Leader

8.	Counselor

9.	Credit Balance Specialist

10.	Credit Counselor

11.	Credit Representative

12.	Credit Specialist

13.	Credit Support Counselor

14.	Debt and Budget Counselor

15.	Debt Counselor

16.	Debt Management Counselor

17.	Financial Aid Advisor

18.	Financial Aid Counselor

19.	Financial Aid Officer

20.	Financial Coach

21.	Financial Health Counselor

22.	Financial Wellness Coach

23.	Mortgage Counselor

24.	Mortgage Loan Counselor

Job Tasks

	Assess clients' overall financial situation by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information. Assess financial status of clients.

	Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals. Develop financial plans for clients.

	Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations. Compute debt repayment schedules.

	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. Develop financial plans for clients.

	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. Recommend investments to clients.

	Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information. Interview clients to gather financial information.

	Explain general financial topics to clients, such as credit report ratings, bankruptcy laws, consumer protection laws, wage attachments, or collection actions. Educate clients on financial planning topics.

	Advise clients on housing matters, such as housing rental, homeownership, mortgage delinquency, or foreclosure prevention. Advise others on financial matters.

	Prepare written documents to establish contracts with or communicate financial recommendations to clients. Prepare contracts or other transaction documents.

	Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, the advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies. Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.

	Disburse funds from client accounts to creditors. Disburse funds from clients accounts to creditors.

	Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat. Correspond with customers to answer questions or resolve complaints. Advise others on financial matters.

	Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries. Prepare financial documents.

	Refer clients to social service or community resources for needs beyond those of credit or debt counseling.

	Estimate time for debt repayment given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds. Compute debt repayment schedules.

	Negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients to arrange for payment adjustments, interest rate reductions, time extensions, or to set up payment plans. Negotiate agreements to resolve disputes.

	Recommend educational materials or resources to clients on matters such as financial planning, budgeting, or credit. Educate clients on financial planning topics.

	Review changes to financial, family, or employment situations to determine whether changes to existing debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets are needed. Assess financial status of clients.

	Create action plans to assist clients in obtaining permanent housing via rent or mortgage programs. Develop financial plans for clients.

	Teach courses or seminars on topics such as budgeting, managing personal finances, or financial literacy. Educate clients on financial planning topics.

	Explain loan information to clients, such as available loan types, eligibility requirements, or loan restrictions. Interpret financial information for others.

	Conduct research to help clients avoid repossessions or foreclosures or remove levies or wage garnishments. Develop financial plans for clients.

	Investigate missing checks, payment histories, held funds, returned checks, or other related issues to resolve client or creditor problems. Examine financial records.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Communicating with Persons Outside 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.

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.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

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.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>

Interesting Fact

Thomas Edison not only invented electric light, he also invented wax paper, the phonograph (and record), the radio vacuum tube, the motion picture camera, an electronic voting machine and dozens more!

Did you know...

You can purchase group licenses to MyPlan.com assessment tests for schools and businesses at steeply discounted prices.