Bill and Account Collectors
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.
Common Job Titles
- Collector
- Debt Collector
- Patient Access Specialist
- Patient Account Representative
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- MindsetEngage delinquent account holders through empathetic yet firm communication via telephone, mail, and personal visits to negotiate payment arrangements.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate customer payment histories and account statuses using debt collection management systems to determine appropriate collection strategies.Proficient
- MindsetBalance organizational revenue goals with customer service principles while resolving conflicts and negotiating payment terms under time pressure.Proficient
- KnowledgeOrganize daily call lists and follow-up schedules prioritizing accounts by delinquency age, amount owed, and legal timelines.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate for ethical collection practices and regulatory compliance when coaching team members and coordinating with supervisors on complex cases.Proficient
- KnowledgeApply federal and state collections laws and regulations when initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection actions.Developing
- KnowledgeInterpret customer financial circumstances and payment capacity using active listening and social perceptiveness to customize collection approaches.Developing
- KnowledgeOperate debt account management and collection software platforms including autodialers, CRM systems, and accounting tools to document interactions and post payments.Developing
- KnowledgePrepare written correspondence and credit department referrals documenting non-responsive accounts and recommending escalation actions.Developing
- KnowledgeCalculate payment amounts, interest charges, and settlement offers applying mathematical and accounting principles to resolve account discrepancies.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Bill and Account Collectors (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
165,020
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $33,960. 25th percentile: U.S. $38,290. 50th percentile: U.S. $46,040. 75th percentile: U.S. $54,990. 90th percentile: U.S. $65,830. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $33,960 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $65,830 |
| Workers on average earn | $48,370 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- English Language4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Economics and Accounting3.3/5
- Law and Government3.3/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Technology Skills
- ADP Drive DMS for Accounting
- ADS Advantage
- Adtec Agency Manager
- Austin Logistics CallSelect
- CU Connect processing software
- Collection Data Systems CollectOne-Tiger
- Columbia Ultimate Archive
- Columbia Ultimate RPCS
Tools & Equipment
- Amplified telephones
- Autodialers
- Laptop computers
- Personal digital assistants PDA
- Predictive dialers
- Scanners