Five Reasons to Become a Certified Credit Counselor

Five Reasons to Become a Certified Credit Counselor

Talking about money is considered taboo, and personal debt is completely off-limits in social circles. We take great pride in the public personas we’ve built, and we go to great lengths to hide any struggles—especially financial ones. So where do you go when you need help, but it’s not an acceptable topic for discussion? Enter the certified credit counselor.

Credit counselors make it their job to tackle uncomfortable financial topics like debt, budgeting, and the sacrifices necessary to achieve financial independence. It’s not an easy job because you have to get someone to spill all the details about their finances, but it is rewarding when you can help someone through their financial struggles.

Becoming a certified credit counselor signifies that you have achieved a standard of excellence in the credit and personal finance counseling industry. Certified credit counselors truly care about helping people achieve financial freedom.

You can be a part of this growing field with great benefits, and achieve a rewarding career helping others. If you’re leaning to a career in this growing field, here are five reasons to train for your credit counselor certification:

1. Opportunity for advancement

There are no specific education requirements to become a credit counselor, aside from knowing the ins and outs of credit counseling. One of the best ways to enter the industry is to train in an online course. Learning from experienced industry experts will adequately teach you how to effectively counsel your clients.

While knowing about the industry is a plus, holding a Credit Counseling Certification from the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC) ensures potential employers or clients that you’re knowledgeable and qualified. As a certified industry expert, your prospects of career growth are even higher.

2. Great salary potential

Despite the low barrier to entry, this profession has a competitive salary. In fact, the median annual salary of credit counselors according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is $44,710.

There is also a huge potential to make much more as you gain experience in the field. The top 10 percent of people in this occupation report an annual salary of over $76,000.

3. Higher than average job growth

Credit counseling is a career that’s here to stay.

Jobs for credit counselors are on the rise according to the BLS. In fact, the BLS estimates that job growth will be around 13.9 percent through 2026 and more than 5,300 jobs will become available. This is considered faster than average, so jobs will be available in this profession.

And as the consumer-credit industry grows, the need for qualified counselors has never been greater.

4. Steady work hours

Those in the financial industry typically expect to work long hours including nights and weekends, especially at the end of a business quarter or fiscal year. This is not the case for credit counselors. A career in credit counseling offers a stable work environment and regular 40-hour-per-week working hours.

Moreover, those working in the profession say it comes with less stress than other financial careers.

5. Chance to help people

Credit counseling is an important job in the financial industry. It is one where you’ll be given the chance to make a real difference in the lives of others. Consider this: research finds that financial difficulty can cause internal strife within families. In fact, it is one of the top reasons for divorce in America.

As a certified credit counselor, you can have a positive impact on peoples’ lives. You will help people get an accurate view of their finances including income, assets, and expenses. You’ll also provide counseling and education materials on healthy spending, improving credit and paying off debt to help them live a happier life within their means.