Education:
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks
This is a sub-career of
Financial Clerk
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Job Outlook:
Decline
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent
Salary
High:
$64,080.00
Average:
$46,180.00
Hourly
Average:
$22.20
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
- 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.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Financial clerks should be able to explain policies and procedures to colleagues and customers.
Math skills. The job duties of financial clerks includes calculating charges and updating financial records.
Organizational skills. Financial clerks must be able to arrange files so they can find them quickly and efficiently.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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85% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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83% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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83% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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82% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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82% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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81% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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73% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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72% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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69% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
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92% | Conventional - 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. | |
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70% | Enterprising - 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. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
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61% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
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76% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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76% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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74% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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72% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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66% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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66% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
Job Details
Responsibilities
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.
Analyze financial information.
File documents or records.
Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
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.
Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
Collect deposits, payments or fees.
Correspond with customers to answer questions or resolve complaints.
Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
Examine financial records.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
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100% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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97% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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96% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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93% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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93% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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92% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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92% | Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting? | |
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92% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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91% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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88% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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88% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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88% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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88% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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85% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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83% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
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78% | Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? | |
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78% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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72% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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71% | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? | |
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69% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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68% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
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67% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
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88% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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86% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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84% | Communicating with People Outside the Organization - 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. | |
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83% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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79% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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77% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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77% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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73% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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71% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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69% | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. | |
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67% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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67% | Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
What Financial Clerks Do
Financial clerks keep and update financial records.
Financial clerks do administrative work for many types of organizations. They keep records, help customers, and carry out transactions that involve money.
Duties
Financial clerks typically do the following:
- Keep and update financial records
- Calculate bills and charges
- Offer customer assistance
- Carry out financial transactions
Financial clerks’ job duties vary by specialty and by setting.
The following are examples of types of financial clerks:
Billing and posting clerks calculate charges and generate bills, which they then prepare to send to customers. They review documents such as purchase orders, sales tickets, charge slips, and hospital records to calculate fees or charges due. They also contact customers to get or give account information.
Brokerage clerks help with tasks associated with securities such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and other kinds of investments. Their duties include writing orders for stock purchases and sales, calculating transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, distributing dividends, and recording daily transactions and holdings.
Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks review the credit history, and get the information needed to determine the creditworthiness, of individuals or businesses applying for credit. Credit authorizers check customers’ credit records and payment histories to decide, based on predetermined standards, whether to approve new credit. Credit checkers contact credit departments of business and service establishments for information about applicants’ credit standing.
Gambling cage workers work in casinos and other gambling establishments. The “cage” in which they work is the central depository for money and gambling chips. Gambling cage workers sell gambling chips, tokens, or tickets to patrons. They count funds and reconcile daily summaries of transactions to balance books.
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks process applications for insurance policies. They also handle customers’ requests to change or cancel their existing policies. Their duties include interviewing clients and reviewing insurance applications to make sure that all questions have been answered. They also inform insurance agents and accounting departments of policy cancellations or changes.
Loan interviewers, also called loan processors or loan clerks, interview applicants and others to get and verify personal and financial information needed to complete loan applications. They also prepare the documents that go to the appraiser and are issued at the closing of a loan.
New accounts clerks interview people who want to open accounts in financial institutions. They explain the account services available to prospective customers and help them fill out applications. They also investigate and correct errors in accounts.
Payroll and timekeeping clerks compile and post employee time and payroll data. They verify and record attendance, hours worked, and pay adjustments. They make sure that employees are paid on time and that their paychecks are correct.
Procurement clerks compile requests for materials, prepare purchase orders, keep track of purchases and supplies, and handle questions about orders. They respond to questions from customers and suppliers about the status of orders. Procurement clerks handle requests to change or cancel orders. They make sure that purchases arrive on schedule and that the items meet the buyer’s specifications.
Work Environment
Financial clerks held about 1.3 million jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up financial clerks was distributed as follows:
| Billing and posting clerks | 456,300 |
| Insurance claims and policy processing clerks | 259,000 |
| Loan interviewers and clerks | 247,100 |
| Payroll and timekeeping clerks | 165,400 |
| Procurement clerks | 65,300 |
| New accounts clerks | 46,600 |
| Brokerage clerks | 43,700 |
| Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks | 16,400 |
| Gambling cage workers | 12,200 |
The largest employers of financial clerks were as follows:
| Credit intermediation and related activities | 21% |
| Insurance carriers and related activities | 19 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 18 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 8 |
| Administrative and support services | 6 |
Financial clerks work in a variety of industries, usually in offices.
Work Schedules
Most financial clerks work full time.
Getting Started
How to Become a Financial Clerk
A high school diploma is sufficient for most financial clerk positions.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most financial clerk jobs. These workers typically learn their duties through on-the-job training.
Education
Financial clerks typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. Employers of brokerage clerks may prefer candidates who have taken some college courses in business or economics and, in some cases, have a 2- or 4-year college degree.
Training
Most financial clerks learn how to do their job duties through on-the-job training. Some formal technical training also may be necessary; for example, gambling cage workers may need training in specific gambling regulations and procedures.
Advancement
Financial clerks may advance to related occupations in finance. For example, a loan interviewer or clerk may become a loan officer, and a brokerage clerk may become a securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent, after obtaining the required education and license.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of financial clerks is projected to decline 4 percent from 2022 to 2032.
Despite declining employment, about 116,600 openings for financial clerks are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Projected employment of financial clerks varies by occupation (see table). The availability of online tools, which allow financial customers to perform many tasks themselves, is expected to reduce demand for occupations such as new accounts clerks; procurement clerks; and credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks. Similarly, productivity-enhancing technology is expected to limit demand for other clerks, such as payroll and timekeeping clerks, loan interviewers and clerks, brokerage clerks, and insurance claims and policy processing clerks.
Employment of gambling cage workers will be impacted by the adoption of technology in payout processing and online gambling, which limits the need for cage workers.
Employment of billing and posting clerks is expected to rise in fast-growing healthcare industries; however, automated invoice processing software will increase the productivity of these workers and reduce overall employment growth.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about financial clerks, visit
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of financial clerks.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bill and Account Collectors |
Bill and account collectors try to recover payment on overdue bills. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $39,470 |
|
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks |
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks produce financial records for organizations and check financial records for accuracy. |
Some college, no degree | $45,860 |
|
Gambling Services Workers |
Gambling services workers serve customers in gambling establishments, such as casinos or racetracks. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $31,290 |
|
Information Clerks |
Information clerks perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers. |
See How to Become One | $38,710 |
|
Tellers |
Tellers are responsible for accurately processing routine transactions at a bank. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $36,380 |
|
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants |
Secretaries and administrative assistants do routine clerical and organizational tasks. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $44,080 |
|
Medical Records Specialists |
Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $47,180 |