Bill Collector Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a bill collector. Feel free to use our bill collector job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a bill collector.
Who is a Bill Collector?
A bill collector is an individual or agency that collects payments for a bill. They represent the lender or business to which you owe money.
Companies often find it more economical to hire bill collectors rather than continue to spend their time and money trying to get you to repay. Numerous businesses have worked with bill collectors such as health offices, utilities, phone companies, servicers of loans, and other businesses.
A business may contact you for weeks or months to collect your bill. If you don’t respond, the account is sent to bill collection.
More fraud alerts are generated by bill collectors than in any other industry to the Federal Trade Commission. This is because most people don’t have positive experiences with bill collectors.
The business determines when an account is sent to a bill collector. This can help you get an idea of the timeline for your creditor by looking at your loan agreement or credit card.
After a few months of insufficient payments, many credit card accounts are sent by the agency to collect. Some accounts are sent to collection agencies after a few months of non-payment or missed payments.
When they collect a bill from you, bill collectors are required to follow the Fair bill Collection Practices Act. However, the thousands of complaints against bill collectors every year prove that they don’t always follow the law.
You can only be reached by bill collectors between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time. They are allowed to call you multiple times per day. They are not permitted to harass you by calling you repeatedly to “annoy, abuse or harass”.
They may call you at work if they have your phone number. However, you can stop them from calling you on the job by telling your employer that they are not allowed to do so.
Bill collectors are known to visit a person’s house to collect a bill. This may be legal. If you give your creditor your number, bill collectors can call you.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, bill collectors can now text or email you according to the latest rules. However, they must indicate how to opt out of receiving such messages.
Who can bill collectors contact?
If a bill collector is having trouble reaching you, they might call your neighbors or friends. They might ask your friends or neighbors to verify your contact information.
This is allowed, but they are not permitted to disclose that they are collecting a bill. They are usually not allowed to contact the same person multiple times.
Collectors will send you payment notices at the address they have on file. They will notify you in your first bill that you have 30 days to request validation of the bill. The bill collector must then provide proof that the bill is owed.
You may receive the bill validation notice by phone. If the collector calls you for the first time, this should be done.
You may not receive notices of your bill if they don’t have your correct address. You may not be able to find out the details of the account if the collector does not have your correct address or phone number.
Bill Collector Job Description
Below are the bill collector job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a bill collector job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Keeping track of accounts with unpaid bills and gathering information to create reports that can be presented to managers on a weekly base
- Reaching out to clients who are unable to pay their bills by phone, email, and finally personal visits.
- Negotiating for payment through professional communication and negotiation, while remaining respectful, sympathetic, and tactful at all times
- Listening to your clients and working together to develop a strategy that suits their schedules and helps them pay their bills quickly and efficiently.
- Helping clients understand their options and answer any questions they have about payment, financing, or services.
- Performing minor administrative tasks before and after you interact with clients. This includes paperwork and the creation of special account reports
- Collecting payments, and posting the amount to customer accounts
- Using computers and other automated systems to locate and monitor overdue accounts.
- Maintaining accurate records regarding the financial status of customers as well as the status of collection efforts.
- Contacting customers to inform them of their delinquent accounts via email, phone, or personal visits.
- Assisting customers with the necessary steps and strategies to repay their bill
- Negotiating credit extension agreements with clients
- Answering any questions customers might have about bill payments or due dates.
- Identifying outstanding bills by keeping track of the accounts you have been assigned.
- Recovering unpaid payments by planning a course of action
- Negotiating payment terms and deadlines.
- Handling questions or complaints of customers
- Examining and resolving discrepancies between accounts or payments.
- Notifying customers about a bill
- Locating customers and notifying them about owed bills over the telephone, naming exact dollar amounts.
- Managing outgoing and incoming Calls
- Resolving bills by responding to customers’ calls and making outgoing calls.
- Collecting payments over the telephone using checks, debit cards, and credit cards.
- Giving answers to customer questions about bill and payment due dates
- Keeping notes of customer files
- Attaching notes to customer accounts to record communication and resolutions
- Identifying deviations to predetermined payment plans.
- Emailing or calling defaulters to dispute their bills.
- Using telephonic and desktop investigations to locate fugitive defaulters.
- Proposing realistic, carefully-constructed payment plans.
- Negotiating new-adjusted payments plans
Qualifications
While bill collectors require minimal education, proper training is essential.
Education
For bill collectors’ employers typically require at least a high school diploma. However, a college education is preferred. Courses in accounting, communication, and computer skills can help you strengthen your resume.
Training
After being hired, bill collectors receive on-the-job training that can last up to three months. New hires will usually learn the following skills and tasks during this period:
- Use the call center software of your employer
- Understanding the laws and regulations governing bill collection
- Learn about their clients and the common billing issues
- Negotiating with clients
- Follow the company’s operational policies and bill management
Certification
You can choose from a variety of voluntary certifications to increase your employment ability as a bill collector.
CHC Certified Healthcare Collector:
This certification is for healthcare collectors who deal with healthcare bills. This program covers topics like patient privacy, determining patients’ financial responsibility, and collecting insurance providers. To pass this exam, you must be employed by a collection agency and have to answer at least 80% of all the questions.
The Professional Collection Specialist Designation
This certification demonstrates your ability and willingness to act ethically and follow the Fair bill Collection Practice Act. Two training courses are required. You must pass the certification exam with an average score of at least 85%. Your Certification can be renewed by completing the renewal form, attending an ACA forum or convention, or completing the FDCPA Essentials For Collectors training. Recertifying can be done by obtaining the ACA Trainer Specialist Designation or retaking your initial PCS exam.
Essential Skills
- Be an insightful reader
You will need to read a lot of paperwork as a bill collector agent. To find a solution to each case, you will need to have a thorough understanding of the facts. You will need to be able to explain to the customer simple concepts of legal procedures and their consequences. For any bill collector, it is essential to understand the true factors of bankruptcy, trade instruments, and government laws.
- Must be great with numbers
The majority of bill recovery work revolves around numbers and financial reporting. Although you don’t have to be an accountant, it is important to have a solid understanding of financial accounting, finance, and account management. Clients receive periodic reports from bill collection agencies about the progress and amounts that have been made in different cases. It is important to be able to read numbers when creating statements and reports for clients. You’ll also need to explain financial terms, credit services, and payments to your clients. You should have the knowledge and skills to understand numbers, but also to explain them to clients and customers.
- Be a good listener
Every customer is unique. To convince them to pay, you must understand their circumstances and their current situation. You should first get to know them.
You can be sure that they are embarrassed or reluctant to talk with you. Talk to them and show empathy for their situation.
- Keep it simple and clear
Don’t try to trick the customer. Be clear and concise with him/her. Be transparent. Talk with confidence and feel, and show compassion and sensitivity. Once you’ve identified the right person, tell them your name, your company name, and the purpose of your call.
- Be emotionally intelligent and shrewd
Every bill collector comes across people and situations that are not good. It is important to have a tough exterior and see the larger picture. You may get angry at someone because they are frustrated or feel powerless to control their lives. It can be very difficult to listen and not react negatively to someone. It is possible to help them through difficult situations by empathizing and letting them know that you are listening. Emotionally intelligent people will also be able to keep their focus on the task at hand and not let one bad experience affect the rest of the day.
- Learn about important laws and regulations
It is crucial to fully understand and adhere to all applicable laws and regulations. Your client must understand and agree to your obligations. Neither you nor your customer can expect to do anything beyond what is required by law. When dealing with customers, you must adhere to the law. Your work as a bill collector agent is limited to the lawful limits. Negotiation and applicable laws are your main tools of persuasion. You may also have to talk and cooperate with bailiffs or lawyers. Knowing the laws and procedures is a great asset. By providing the required information, you can help the company take legal action against customers. To avoid legal problems, as a bill collection agent you must comply with all legal requirements.
- Negotiate clearly and effectively
Each bill collector must communicate clearly. You must communicate clearly when you approach them. Make sure they understand your expectations, what you can offer, and the potential outcomes. Do not try to trick clients or customers. Make sure you fully explain to the customer your identity and why you reached them when you get in touch with them. Some customers might dispute the amount owed in whole or part. Be prepared to explain the reasons to them and how you will proceed.
How to Become a Bill Collector
- Complete your high school education
Employers prefer to hire collections professionals with at least a high school diploma. Postsecondary courses in business, communication, or accounting can provide valuable skills and knowledge that will prepare you to work with customers on the job.
- Get a call center experience
Employers are looking for bill collectors with previous experience in a call center. This allows workers to improve their customer service skills as well as become more familiar with basic technology in call centers. Experience in call centers can help workers reduce the time it takes to learn this job.
- Learn how to use Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office programs like Excel and Word are used to manage data in collections and for documentation. Take a class or take a training course to get familiar with these programs. These classes are available at your local library or online.
- Your resume should be updated
Use specific examples to highlight your negotiation and communication skills. Include details about any previous experience with these skills, including in a call center or deals with finances and credit.
- Look for local jobs as a bill collector
You might be able to find jobs in specialty areas like legal collections specialist, healthcare collection specialist, or accounts receivable collectors specialist when you search for work. These job titles will give you an idea of the types of accounts you will be working with. You may be interested in certification after you have worked in these positions.
Where to Work
Third-party agencies often employ bill collectors to pursue collection for multiple companies. They spend their time at the telephone line, speaking to clients and sitting at a desk.
Some collections specialists work directly for companies that are trying to collect on unpaid bills. These specialists may have a greater range of duties, including working with other departments to create financial reports and maintaining accurate client records.
Bill Collector Salary Scale
Most collections specialists work full-time. Because clients are most likely to be reached at these times, some collection specialists work weekends and evenings.
The average annual salary for a bill collector in the United States is $27,453 per year.
