Bill and Account Collectors

What bill and account collectors do

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.

Typical tasks

1. 1Record information about financial status of customers and status of collection efforts.
2. 2Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.
3. 3Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.
4. 4Arrange for debt repayment or establish repayment schedules, based on customers' financial situations.
5. 5Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.
6. 6Answer customer questions regarding problems with their accounts.
7. 7Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.
8. 8Confer with customers by telephone or in person to determine reasons for overdue payments and to review the terms of sales, service, or credit contracts.
9. 9Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.
10. 10Trace delinquent customers to new addresses by inquiring at post offices, telephone companies, credit bureaus, or through the questioning of neighbors.

Technology used

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• SAP software
• Intuit QuickBooks
• MEDITECH software
• Microsoft PowerPoint

How to become one

Education

The most common level among workers surveyed is a high school diploma (48%). Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience

Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Training

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.