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Life As a Bill and Account Collector
Job 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.
A Day in the Life of a Bill Collector
- Negotiate credit extensions when necessary.
- Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.
- Answer customer questions regarding problems with their accounts.
- Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.
- Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.
- Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.
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What a Bill Collector Should Know
These are the skills Bill and Account Collectors say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Account Service Representative
- Credit Specialist
- Bad Credit Collector
- Collection Clerk
- Field Reimbursement Manager
Bill Collector Job Outlook
There were about 305,700 jobs for Bill and Account Collector in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Bill and Account Collector. The BLS estimates 30,200 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Bill Collector are Utah, Maryland, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Maine, or Alabama. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Bill and Account Collectors Salary
The typical yearly salary for Bill and Account Collectors is somewhere between $24,620 and $55,360.
Bill and Account Collectors who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Bill and Account Collectors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $35,570 |
Alaska | $45,540 |
Arizona | $36,430 |
Arkansas | $32,120 |
California | $44,340 |
Colorado | $40,730 |
Connecticut | $45,360 |
Delaware | $39,190 |
District of Columbia | $64,210 |
Florida | $36,070 |
Georgia | $37,180 |
Hawaii | $41,540 |
Idaho | $36,270 |
Illinois | $38,610 |
Indiana | $35,230 |
Iowa | $35,450 |
Kansas | $33,640 |
Kentucky | $36,650 |
Louisiana | $33,170 |
Maine | $36,330 |
Maryland | $42,950 |
Massachusetts | $45,810 |
Michigan | $39,800 |
Minnesota | $39,780 |
Mississippi | $33,440 |
Missouri | $35,150 |
Montana | $35,570 |
Nebraska | $34,990 |
Nevada | $36,710 |
New Hampshire | $37,410 |
New Jersey | $45,260 |
New Mexico | $37,350 |
New York | $42,310 |
North Carolina | $35,970 |
North Dakota | $43,090 |
Ohio | $35,900 |
Oklahoma | $35,420 |
Oregon | $39,130 |
Pennsylvania | $37,340 |
Rhode Island | $43,100 |
South Carolina | $35,700 |
South Dakota | $32,570 |
Tennessee | $33,940 |
Texas | $36,590 |
Utah | $33,500 |
Vermont | $42,350 |
Virginia | $41,060 |
Washington | $40,400 |
West Virginia | $33,350 |
Wisconsin | $38,400 |
Wyoming | $37,850 |
What Tools & Technology do Bill and Account Collectors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Bill and Account Collectors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MEDITECH software
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- LexisNexis
- Medical procedure coding software
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- NetSuite ERP
- Medical condition coding software
How do I Become a Bill Collector?
What education is needed to be a Bill and Account Collector?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Bill Collector?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as a Bill and Account Collector sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Dave Dugdale via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.