Credit Checkers and Authorizers

Career summary

#3/19/19 lh

Credit checkers

Credit checkers review applications for credit cards and loans. They make sure that applications are complete. If information is missing, they contact applicants. Credit checkers contact credit bureaus and banks for information. They call employers to verify applicants' employment.

Once checkers have all the information, they calculate debt-to-income ratios. They determine if applicants meet the guidelines for loans. For large loans such as mortgages, checkers send the application to an underwriter for approval. For credit card applications, checkers assess applicants' credit history and decide if they are able to pay the charges. Once their research is complete, they send reports to applicants about their decision.

Some credit checkers work in credit bureaus. They secure and update credit data. They also confirm information for credit reports. These workers are often called credit investigators or reporters.

Credit authorizers

Credit authorizers decide whether to allow additional charges on accounts that are past-due or overextended. Authorizers review customers' charges. They also look at their payment histories. They decide whether or not to approve new charges. Authorizers also track customers' spending.

Related careers

This career is part of the Finance cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bank Tellers
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Billing Clerks
• Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerks
• Brokerage Clerks
• Credit Counselors
• Customer Service Representatives
• General Office Clerks
• Government Benefits Interviewers
• Human Resources Assistants
• Insurance Adjusters and Examiners
• Insurance Policy and Claims Clerks
• Interviewing Clerks
• License Clerks
• Loan Clerks
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
• Receptionists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to credit checkers and authorizers.

• Review applicants' credit history.
• Spend time on phone and computer getting information from credit sources.
• Obtain information needed to determine credit worthiness.
• Authorize or deny applications for credit or credit card charges.
• Send out credit reports. May give reports over the phone.
• Create credit cards.
• Use computers to compile information and prepare reports.
• Interview credit applicants about financial and personal data.
• Keep records of charges and payments.

Common work activities

Credit checkers and authorizers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Use computers
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Document and record information
• Process information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Analyze data or information
• Teach others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Develop and build teams
• Perform for or work with the public
• Perform administrative tasks
• Evaluate information against standards
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Coach others
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, credit checkers and authorizers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of contact with others.
• Communicate by telephone, e-mail, letters, memos, and in person on a daily basis.
• Almost always work as part of a team.
• Are often placed in conflict situations in which people might become unpleasant or angry.
• Are responsible for the work done by other workers.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. They must be sure that they offer credit to those who will pay their bills.
• Repeat the same physical activities of entering or locating data.
• Make decisions that strongly impact their company and customers on a daily basis.
• Make most or all of their decisions without consulting a supervisor first.
• Set nearly all of their daily tasks and goals independently.
• Work in a competitive atmosphere where daily deadlines must be met.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time. Most work full time.
• May work overtime, especially during the winter holiday season.
• May work nights or weekends.
• Generally work an established schedule.

Physical demands

Credit checkers and authorizers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for credit checkers and authorizers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for credit checkers and authorizers to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

Skills and abilities

Credit checkers and authorizers need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Accounting
• Finance
• Office Support

Training

To work as a credit checker or authorizer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this occupation beyond high school. However, some credit workers take courses offered by banking and credit associations, vocational schools, or colleges and universities.

On-the-job training

Most credit checkers and authorizers learn their skills through on-the-job training. You work under the supervision of an experienced staff member. Some firms offer formal training. This training may include phone etiquette, computer use, and customer service skills. In general, training lasts up to one year.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Banking and Finance
• Computer Fundamentals
• Consumer Law
• Personal Finance

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer to hire credit checkers and authorizers who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They look for applicants who have good communication skills. They also look for good telephone and organizational skills. Employers prefer to hire people who can pay attention to details and meet deadlines. Credit checkers and authorizers must be able to enter and retrieve data quickly from computers.

Costs to workers

Some workers may join a professional association and pay annual dues. Costs vary and are sometimes paid by the employer. Additional costs may include appropriate business attire.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Credit Authorizers 
• Credit Checkers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Credit checkers who work for mortgage bankers generally earn higher wages than those at credit unions or personal credit institutions.

Most credit checkers and authorizers who work full time receive benefits. These may include health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. Credit authorizers who work for retail stores may receive discounts on store products.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Banks and credit unions
• Credit reporting and collection firms
• Credit card companies

National outlook

Demand for credit checkers and authorizers will decline. This is because most credit score searches can be done online. More loans will also be processed online which means it will take fewer credit checkers to do this work. This occupation is also sensitive to the state of the economy. When the economy is strong, many people want credit and employment opportunities may be better.

Job openings will occur as people leave this occupation.

Other resources

Consumer Data Industry Association 
1090 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
202.371.0910

Credit Professionals International 

National Association of Consumer Credit Administrators 
1000 Potomac Street, NW
Suite 108
Washington, DC 20007

National Association of Credit Management 
8840 Columbia 100 Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21045
410.740.5560

References

Career cluster

• Finance

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupations

• Credit Authorizers (43-4041.01) 
• Credit Checkers (43-4041.02) 

O*Net job zones 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Call-out Operator (237.367-014) 
• Credit Authorizer (249.367-022) 
• Credit Reference Clerk (209.362-018) 
• Investigator (241.267-030) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Credit Manager

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Enterprising/Social

COPSystem

• Clerical