Bill and Account Collectors: What They Do and How to Become One
Bill and account collectors are essential employees that help companies and organizations collect outstanding debts from customers. They are responsible for contacting debtors to make payment arrangements, negotiating payment options, and ensuring debts are paid in a timely manner. These professionals must have strong communication, negotiation, and persuasion skills to be successful.
Examples of Bill and Account Collectors
Bill and account collectors come in various forms depending on the industry they work in. Some common examples of these professionals include:
- Collection agents who work for credit card companies, banks, and other financial institutions.
- Medical bill collectors who work for hospitals and healthcare providers.
- Phone bill collectors who work for telecommunications companies.
Education and Training
There are no specific education requirements to become a bill and account collector, but most employers prefer candidates with at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, some companies require their bill and account collectors to hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field.
Bill and account collectors typically receive on-the-job training before they start interacting with customers. The training covers topics such as communication techniques, customer service, and the legal requirements for debt collection.
Progression between levels
Bill and account collectors usually start their careers as trainees or entry-level collectors. After gaining some experience, they may be promoted to senior collector roles, supervisory positions, or other management roles. These promotions usually depend on factors such as job performance, education level, and tenure with the company.
Getting into the field
If you’re new to the field, there are several ways to get your foot in the door. You can start by applying for entry-level collector positions with companies that are hiring. Alternatively, you can gain experience by volunteering to collect debts for local charities or non-profit organizations. This will give you some foundational skills and experience that you can use to build your resume.
Final thoughts
Bill and account collectors are critical employees that help businesses and organizations recover debt. While there are no educational requirements for this field, having a high school diploma or equivalent is preferred. Successful bill and account collectors must have excellent communication and negotiation skills as well as the ability to maintain a positive working relationship with clients.
| Geography | Job Level | Unionization | Salary (Average) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US National Average | Level 03 | Nonunion | $37,689.60 |
| US National Average | Level 06 | Union | $58,676.80 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | All levels | Nonunion | $64,417.60 |
| Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | All levels | Nonunion | $30,804.80 |
Bill and account collectors are typically classified at level 03 to level 06 jobs, with an entry-level salary of $37,044.80 and an experienced-level salary of $53,851.20. Those who are able to join a union may enjoy higher salaries, with an average unionized pay of $58,676.80. On the other hand, employers offering nonunion bill and account collector jobs give $42,390.40 on average to their workers.
The geography with highest average salaries for nonunion bill and account collectors is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA with an average annual compensation of $64,417.60. In contrast, the Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area has the least average nonunion salary of $30,804.80 on a time-based pay.
Unionization can affect the salary of bill and account collectors positively. It is worth noting, however, that not many employers offer unionized bill and account collector jobs.
