Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Office & Administrative
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-4041
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Keep records of customers' charges and payments.
• Compile and analyze credit information gathered by investigation.
• Obtain information about potential creditors from banks, credit bureaus, and other credit services, and provide reciprocal information if requested.
• Interview credit applicants by telephone or in person to obtain personal and financial data needed to complete credit report.
• Evaluate customers' computerized credit records and payment histories to decide whether to approve new credit, based on predetermined standards.
• File sales slips in customers' ledgers for billing purposes.
• 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.
• Call customers to collect payment on delinquent accounts.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Structured query language SQL, Tableau, Accounting software, Computer data input scanners

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Credit Analysts
• Loan Interviewers and Clerks
• Loan Officers
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Credit Counselors
• Customer Service Representatives
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
• Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.