Bill and Account Collectors Go Back to List 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.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Accounting software

Tasks
	Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.
	Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.
	Record information about financial status of customers and status of collection efforts.
	Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.
	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.
	Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.
	Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.
	Sort and file correspondence and perform miscellaneous clerical duties, such as answering correspondence and writing reports.
	Perform various administrative functions for assigned accounts, such as recording address changes and purging the records of deceased customers.
	Arrange for debt repayment or establish repayment schedules, based on customers' financial situations.

Skills
	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.
	Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Knowledge
	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.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
	Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
	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.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

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Education & Training   Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.   Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $53,951.00 $25.93  $19.91  $22.35 - $27.75  Bridgeport/Stamford $57,758.00 $27.77  $21.22  $23.85 - $30.34  Danbury $50,062.00 $24.07  $19.87  $23.70 - $23.85  Hartford $53,508.00 $25.73  $19.38  $22.27 - $26.54  New Haven $58,078.00 $27.92  $20.78  $23.09 - $29.64  New London/Norwich $52,538.00 $25.26  $18.27  $20.40 - $28.77  Waterbury $47,298.00 $22.74  $19.38  $21.85 - $23.47

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   71   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.