Financial Services

Credit Counselor

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AVG. SALARY

$54,100

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

Suggested Steps to Prepare for a Credit Counselor Career (Grades 6-12)

Check out the recommended classes, activities and skills below for each grade level. These recommendations are very general -- discuss your specific course plan with your school counselors and teachers.

AI-assisted and curriculum-reviewed guidance. Talk with your counselor or teacher about your specific plan.
Grades 6-8

Helpful Classes

  • Math
  • Communication
  • Technology
  • Social Studies

Things to Try

  • Track income and expenses for a class activity using a simple budget sheet, Compare prices, taxes, discounts, or savings options and explain the math, Organize sample receipts, invoices, or records and check them for errors, Interview a credit counselor or finance worker about accuracy, records, and decisions

Focus Skills

  • Numerical reasoning
  • Accuracy
  • Recordkeeping
  • Data analysis
  • Communication

Helpful Classes

  • Algebra I
  • Business
  • English
  • Computer Applications
  • Personal Finance

Recommended Learning Areas

  • student support
  • communication
  • case notes
  • human development
  • ethics

Things to Try

  • Build a personal or club budget in a spreadsheet and update it each week, Practice checking totals, percentages, and trends using sample sales or expense data, Sort sample invoices, payments, or account records and note missing information, Shadow a credit counselor or office finance worker to see how records are reviewed

Focus Skills

  • Numerical reasoning
  • Accuracy
  • Recordkeeping
  • Data analysis
  • Communication

Helpful Classes

  • Geometry
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Business Communication
  • Spreadsheet Applications

Recommended Learning Areas

  • student support
  • communication
  • case notes
  • human development
  • ethics

Things to Try

  • Use spreadsheets to compare spending patterns, balances, or profit and loss examples, Create a mock payroll, billing, or bookkeeping worksheet and check for errors, Analyze a company or nonprofit budget summary and explain what the numbers suggest, Practice writing short notes that explain financial results in plain language

Focus Skills

  • Numerical reasoning
  • Accuracy
  • Recordkeeping
  • Data analysis
  • Communication

Helpful Classes

  • Statistics
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Business Law
  • Data Analysis

Recommended Learning Areas

  • student support
  • communication
  • case notes
  • human development
  • ethics

Things to Try

  • Complete a finance or accounting project using formulas, charts, and supporting records, Review sample tax, payroll, loan, or audit documents and identify key details, Compare financial trends across months or departments and summarize the findings, Interview a finance professional about reporting, controls, and compliance

Focus Skills

  • Numerical reasoning
  • Accuracy
  • Recordkeeping
  • Data analysis
  • Communication

Helpful Classes

  • Calculus or Statistics
  • Finance
  • Economics
  • Accounting
  • Business Writing

Recommended Learning Areas

  • student support
  • communication
  • case notes
  • human development
  • ethics

Things to Try

  • Build a portfolio with budgeting, forecasting, audit, or financial analysis samples, Compare pathways in accounting, banking, insurance, economics, or financial planning, Use real public financial reports to explain trends, risks, and performance, Create a capstone that turns raw numbers into clear business recommendations

Focus Skills

  • Numerical reasoning
  • Accuracy
  • Recordkeeping
  • Data analysis
  • Communication

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Credit counselors typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Candidates with a high school diploma may qualify for some jobs. Once hired, workers typically need several months of on-the-job training to attain competency.

Insider Info

Additional Information

Many credit counselors do not have college degrees. However, all must pass a series of tests for certification. Many feel that a degree in finance or business management is useful.

Since credit counselors must interact with people in a variety of stressful situations, it might be good to take extra classes in human behavior. Develop good listening and people skills.

Michael Kidwell is the vice-president and co-founder of a credit counseling service in Rockville, Maryland. Kidwell says that counselors must often address money behavioral problems such as overspending. Since there are few educational programs specifically for credit counselors, he suggests you read some books about finance.

"There is no field where someone teaches credit counseling," says Kidwell. "But there are helpful classes that you can take -- credit or debt finance, understanding interest rates, understanding loans. Anything related to finance helps."

Extra Requirements

Employers may prefer or require certification for credit counselors. Some certification is general, such as that offered by the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors. Others are specific to an area of expertise, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Counselor Certification.

For additional information, visit these websites: