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13-2071.00 · Task explorer

Credit Counselors: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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

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This source lists 23 tasks, including 19 marked Core and 4 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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23 tasks shown

Core · Task 18936 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18934 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18935 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.

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Core · Task 18945 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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.

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Core · Task 18933 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.

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Core · Task 18952 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18939 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18940 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18937 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18943 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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.

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Core · Task 18944 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18947 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18942 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18938 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18955 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Teach courses or seminars on topics, such as budgeting, management of personal finances, or financial literacy.

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Core · Task 18948 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18946 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Core · Task 18953 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Explain loan information to clients, such as available loan types, eligibility requirements, or loan restrictions.

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Core · Task 18950 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Supplemental · Task 18941 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Supplemental · Task 18949 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Conduct research to help clients avoid repossessions or foreclosures or remove levies or wage garnishments.

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Supplemental · Task 18951 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

Disburse funds from client accounts to creditors.

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Supplemental · Task 18954 · 08/2026 · Occupational Expert

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

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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