Will “Counselor” 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

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Credit Counselors”.

Also Known As…

• Credit Counselors
• 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 “Counselor”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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