Bill and Account Collectors :: Job Description

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Bill and Account Collectors

Careers / Bill and Account Collectors

Summary Description


	Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visit to solicit payment. Duties include receiving payment and posting amount to customer's account; preparing statements to credit department if customer fails to respond; initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection; and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Account Receivable Associate

2.	Account Representative

3.	Account Resolution Analyst

4.	Account Service Representative

5.	Accounting Technician

6.	Accounts Collector

7.	Accounts Receivable Specialist

8.	Agent

9.	Bad Credit Collector

10.	Bill Collector

11.	Biller

12.	Billing Clerk

13.	Billing Manager

14.	Billing Representative

15.	Business Office Manager

16.	Car Repossessor

17.	Chaser

18.	Claims Collector

19.	Collection Agent

20.	Collection Clerk

21.	Collection Manager

22.	Collection Specialist

23.	Collection Supervisor

24.	Collections Agent

25.	Collections Clerk

26.	Collections Manager

27.	Collections Officer

28.	Collections Representative

29.	Collector

30.	Credit Clerk

31.	Credit Collections Manager

32.	Credit Coordinator

33.	Credit Manager

34.	Credit Specialist

35.	Customer Account Specialist

36.	Debt Collector

37.	Delinquency Counselor

38.	Dunner

39.	Group Billing Coordinator

40.	Installment Agent

41.	Installment Loan Collector

42.	Insurance Billing Clerk

43.	Insurance Collector

44.	Medical Biller

45.	Medical Collector

46.	Patient Access Specialist

47.	Patient Account Representative

48.	Patient Accounts Clerk

49.	Patient Financial Service Representative

50.	Payment Collector

51.	Recovery Collector

52.	Rent Collector

53.	Repossessor

54.	Self Pay Representative

55.	Skip Tracer

56.	Telephone Collector

Job Tasks

	Arrange for debt repayment or establish repayment schedules, based on customers' financial situations.

	Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.

	Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.

	Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.

	Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.

	Confer with customers by telephone or in person to determine reasons for overdue payments and to review the terms of sales, service, or credit contracts.

	Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.

	Answer customer questions regarding problems with their accounts.

	Record information about financial status of customers and status of collection efforts.

	Trace delinquent customers to new addresses by inquiring at post offices, telephone companies, credit bureaus, or through the questioning of neighbors.

	Contact insurance companies to check on status of claims payments and write appeal letters for denial on claims.

	Notify credit departments, order merchandise repossession or service disconnection, and turn over account records to attorneys when customers fail to respond to collection attempts.

	Sort and file correspondence, and perform miscellaneous clerical duties such as answering correspondence and writing reports.

	Negotiate credit extensions when necessary.

	Perform various administrative functions for assigned accounts, such as recording address changes and purging the records of deceased customers.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		obtain information from individuals

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


		use computers to enter, access or retrieve data

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.


		maintain account records

Communicating with Persons Outside 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.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.


		negotiate payment arrangements with customers

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use interviewing procedures

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.


		collect payment

		confer with customer to review terms of credit or payment plan

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		maintain records, reports, or files

		type letters or correspondence

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		locate persons ( skip tracing )

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.


		advise clients or customers

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Bill and Account Collectors
	Bill and account collectors, often called collectors, attempt to collect payment on overdue bills. Some are employed by third-party collection agencies, while others—known as in-house collectors—work directly for the original creditors, such as mortgage and credit card companies, healthcare providers, and utilities.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Bill and Account Collectors
	In-house bill and account collectors typically are employed in an office environment, and those who work for third-party collection agencies may work in a call-center environment. Workers spend most of their time on the phone tracking down and contacting people with debts. The work can be stressful, as many consumers are confrontational when pressed about their debts. Successful collectors must face regular rejection and still be ready to make the next call in a polite and positive voice. Fortunately, some consumers appreciate assistance in resolving their outstanding debts, and can be quite grateful.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

The U.S. industry expected to experience the greatest decline between 2002 and 2012 is Apparel Manufacturing.

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