Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks

Overview

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Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.

Authorize credit charges against customers' accounts. Investigate history and credit standing of individuals or business establishments applying for credit. May interview applicants to obtain personal and financial data, determine credit worthiness, process applications, and notify customers of acceptance or rejection of credit.

Yearly Salary

High: $62K
Median: $41K
Low: $28K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Evaluate customers' computerized credit records and payment histories to decide whether to approve new credit, based on predetermined standards.
  • Keep records of customers' charges and payments.
  • Compile and analyze credit information gathered by investigation.
  • File sales slips in customers' ledgers for billing purposes.
  • Interview credit applicants by telephone or in person to obtain personal and financial data needed to complete credit report.
  • Obtain information about potential creditors from banks, credit bureaus, and other credit services, and provide reciprocal information if requested.
  • Receive charge slips or credit applications by mail, or receive information from salespeople or merchants by telephone.
  • Mail charge statements to customers.
  • Examine city directories and public records to verify residence property ownership, bankruptcies, liens, arrest record, or unpaid taxes of applicants.
  • Relay credit report information to subscribers by mail or by telephone.
  • Prepare credit cards or charge account plates.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Accounting software
Financial accounting software
Business intelligence and data analysis software
Tableau
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Document management software
Microsoft SharePoint
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software
Financial analysis software
Experian software
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Multiline telephone systems
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Computer laser printers
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Laser facsimile machines

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Customer and Personal Service
82%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language
74%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Mathematics
73%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Law and Government
68%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Administrative
67%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Economics and Accounting
67%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Computers and Electronics
64%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Administration and Management
63%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Sales and Marketing
54%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Education and Training
48%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Top 10 Skills

Active Listening
73%
Importance

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.

Reading Comprehension
73%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Speaking
73%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
65%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness
63%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Time Management
63%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Writing
63%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Coordination
60%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Monitoring
60%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Top 10 Abilities

Oral Comprehension
73%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Near Vision
70%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Expression
70%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity
70%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Written Comprehension
70%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning
65%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
65%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Speech Clarity
65%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
65%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Expression
63%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Top 10 Work Activities

Getting Information
91%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Working with Computers
89%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization
88%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
87%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Documenting/Recording Information
84%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
82%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Processing Information
82%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
79%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
77%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
75%
Importance

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Maintain financial or account records.
  • Compile data or documentation.
  • Analyze financial information.
  • Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
  • Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
  • File documents or records.
  • Send information, materials or documentation.
  • Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
  • Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
  • Execute sales or other financial transactions.
  • Collect deposits, payments or fees.
  • Correspond with customers to answer questions or resolve complaints.
  • Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
  • Examine financial records.

Interests

Conventional
100%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Enterprising
64%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Social
49%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Investigative
27%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Realistic
15%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Work Values

Support
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
65%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions
41%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement
39%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
36%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.