Credit Counselors

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

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Credit Counselors.

• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• 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.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Credit Counselors.