How Do I Become a Credit Supervisor?

A credit supervisor manages other workers in a company's credit department and provides advice on collecting overdue payments, negotiating with customers who have delinquent accounts and using the best methods to solve account issues. He or she is responsible for monitoring accounts, approving or declining credit applications, interviewing and training new workers and creating reports. Credit supervisors also must communicate with other managers to solve complex issues. To become a credit supervisor, you will need a bachelor's or master's degree in accounting or finance and at least two years of experience in the field. You also will need strong math skills, leadership skills and the ability to provide excellent customer service.

You will usually need an accounting or finance degree to become a credit supervisor. An accounting program covers financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, accounting information systems and accounting law. Finance degrees have many of the courses found in accounting degrees but also include specialized courses in banking, financial management, international finance, monetary policy, macroeconomics and investments. Whether you will need an accounting or finance degree depends on the employer and the responsibilities mentioned on the job's requirements. A bachelor's degree is usually required for those new to the field and seeking an entry-level job, but a master's degree may be needed for higher-level supervisory roles.

To become a credit supervisor, you need to have a strong background in the math used in finance and accounting. Strong math skills are needed to make decisions regarding approving credit applications, figuring out payment plans and compiling credit reports. Excellent communication skills also are required, both in leading your co-workers and communicating with customers about their accounts. A credit supervisor also should be a strong leader who can organize the workload and delegate tasks to each member of the credit department. Problem-solving skills and negotiating skills also are needed when working with customers.

Employers typically require from two to five years of experience to become a credit supervisor. Although many prefer that you have this experience in the banking industry, they also may accept experience in other industries that provide financing to customers. If you have little or no work experience in finance or accounting, then a master's degree may alleviate the potential employer's experience requirements for a position. A credit supervisor manages other employers, so your potential employer may require management experience. Companies may require some type of professional finance certification if you work in an industry that demands a certain level of skill.