If you or someone in your family uses a credit card, a decision had to be made about whether you could be trusted to pay back the money you charge. That decision depends on the work of a credit analyst. A credit analyst examines the financial statements and credit history of individuals or companies. Based on that information, the analyst determines the degree of risk involved in extending credit, or lending money. Credit analysts often work for banks and other financial institutions, though any corporation that extends credit might employ one or more. For example, manufacturing concerns might run credit checks on customers before starting to make products, to make sure that customer has a history of paying on time. It’s a job that requires careful consideration of information, and the ability to prepare a clear, objective report. The decisions must be made on facts, not instinct, so a credit analyst must be able to focus on details, hour after hour, and day after day. The working conditions are usually very comfortable, with an office, and a standard 40-hour workweek the norm. A bachelor’s degree is the most common source of training. College graduates with business related degrees can move easily into these positions, but it can be a position for which training is available on the job. A key part of the nation’s economy runs smoothly when this job is done well. Without credit, in fact, much of the economy would grind to a halt; houses wouldn’t be built, tuitions wouldn’t be paid, cars wouldn’t be bought…the list goes on and on. To continue the flow of credit, analysts consider whether it’s safe to loan the money, case by case.
What they do:
Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking.
On the job, you would:
Analyze credit data and financial statements to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money.
Complete loan applications, including credit analyses and summaries of loan requests, and submit to loan committees for approval.
Generate financial ratios, using computer programs, to evaluate customers' financial status.
Business
accounting and economics
administrative services
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Safety and Government
law and government
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
figuring out how to use new ideas or things
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Math
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Ideas and Logic
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
notice when problems happen
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Dependability
Initiative
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Microsoft Dynamics
SAP software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Financial analysis software
CGI-AMS Strata
Moody's KMV Risk Advisor
bachelor's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.