Will “Credit Counselors” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job 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.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 13-2071.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 49,480.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 23.00
• Currently, there are 34,110 people on this job

Also Known As…

• Financial Wellness Coach
• Financial Health Counselor
• Financial Coach
• Credit Counselor
• Counselor
• Counseling Program Leader
• Certified Personal Finance Counselor
• Certified Credit Counselor
• Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor
• Assistant Director for Financial Literacy
• Mortgage Loan Counselor
• Mortgage Counselor
• Financial Aid Officer
• Financial Aid Counselor
• Financial Aid Advisor
• Debt Management Counselor
• Debt Counselor
• Debt and Budget Counselor
• Credit Support Counselor
• Credit Specialist
• Credit Representative
• Credit Balance Specialist
• Consumer Credit Counselor
• Branch Credit Counselor

Tasks for “Credit Counselors”

• 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.
• Assess clients' overall financial situation by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
• Prepare written documents to establish contracts with or communicate financial recommendations to clients.
• Explain loan information to clients, such as available loan types, eligibility requirements, or loan restrictions.
• Conduct research to help clients avoid repossessions or foreclosures or remove levies or wage garnishments.
• Review changes to financial, family, or employment situations to determine whether changes to existing debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets are needed.
• Estimate time for debt repayment given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
• Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
• Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
• Explain general financial topics to clients, such as credit report ratings, bankruptcy laws, consumer protection laws, wage attachments, or collection actions.
• 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.
• Disburse funds from client accounts to creditors.
• Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
• Advise clients on housing matters, such as housing rental, homeownership, mortgage delinquency, or foreclosure prevention.
• Recommend educational materials or resources to clients on matters such as financial planning, budgeting, or credit.
• Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.
• Refer clients to social service or community resources for needs beyond those of credit or debt counseling.
• Create action plans to assist clients in obtaining permanent housing via rent or mortgage programs.
• Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.
• Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, the advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
• Teach courses or seminars on topics such as budgeting, managing personal finances, or financial literacy.
• Investigate missing checks, payment histories, held funds, returned checks, or other related issues to resolve client or creditor problems.
• Negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients to arrange for payment adjustments, interest rate reductions, time extensions, or to set up payment plans.

Related Technology & Tools

• Laptop computers
• Laser printers
• Personal computers
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Financial calculators
• Inkjet printers
• Laser facsimile machines

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Merlin Information Services databases
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Freddie Mac Loan Prospector
• Paragon Financial Services Paragon Financial System
• Oracle PeopleSoft
• Prime Debt Software Credit Repair
• Microsoft Office
• Web browser software
• Chat software
• Email software
• Microsoft Word
• Integrant DebtLogic
• Microsoft Access
• LexisNexis Accurint
• SAP
• ICCO CreditSoft
• Cooperative Processing Resources DMS Professional Suite
• CoreLogic DebtorTrace
• Prime Debt Soft Debt Settlement