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; keeping records of collection and status of accounts.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

1. Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.

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

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

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

5. 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.

6. Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.

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

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

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

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

11. Negotiate credit extensions when necessary.

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.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Bill and Account Collectors. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Bill and Account Collectors, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$23,060 for entry level workers, and $41,110 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Very Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 23,880 Bill and Account Collectors employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 27,960  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 410 job(s) each year, and a total of 360 job openings each year.

Bill and account collectors - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Financial clerks (Intro) - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products - Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semi-finished materials for manufacturing.

Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators - Investigate, analyze, and determine the extent of insurance company's liability concerning personal, casualty, or property loss or damages, and attempt to effect settlement with claimants. Correspond with or interview medical specialists, agents, witnesses, or claimants to compile information. Calculate benefit payments and approve payment of claims within a certain monetary limit.

Licensing Examiners and Inspectors - Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for, conformity with, or liability under licenses or permits.

Credit Checkers - Investigate history and credit standing of individuals or business establishments applying for credit. Telephone or write to credit departments of business and service establishments to obtain information about applicant's credit standing.

Customer Service Representatives - Interact with customers to provide information in response to inquiries about products and services and to handle and resolve complaints.

Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs - Determine eligibility of persons applying to receive assistance from government programs and agency resources, such as welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, and public housing.

Order Clerks - Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.