Bill and account collectors
SOC Code: 43-3011Also known as:
Account Receivable Associate, Account Representative, Account Service Representative, Accounts Collector, Accounts Receivable Specialist (AR Specialist)
Median Annual Salary
$46,040
-10.5% growth (2024-2034)
14K
Openings/Year
167K
Current Jobs
What Bill and account collectors Do
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.
💰 Salary
$46,040
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-10.5%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
14K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
166,900
Projected Employment (2034)
149,400
Related Careers
Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents
$59,740 •
-1.8% growth
Billing and posting clerks
$47,170 •
-0.4% growth
Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks
$49,130 •
-6.2% growth
Customer service representatives
$42,830 •
-5.5% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Persuasion
Writing
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.
- Arrange for debt repayment or establish repayment schedules, based on customers' financial situations.
- Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.
- Answer customer questions regarding problems with their accounts.
- Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.
- 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.
- Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.
- Trace delinquent customers to new addresses by inquiring at post offices, telephone companies, credit bureaus, or through the questioning of neighbors.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Bill and account collectors
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a bill and account collectors:
Banking and Financial Support Services
992 degrees awarded •
78 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Bill and account collectors
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become bill and account collectors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do bill and account collectors make?
The median annual salary for bill and account collectors is $46,040.
What education do bill and account collectors need?
Most bill and account collectors positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Banking and Financial Support Services.
Is becoming bill and account collectors a good career choice?
Bill and account collectors is projected to see -10.5% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 13,700 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for bill and account collectors?
Top colleges for aspiring bill and account collectors include
Texas A & M University-College Station, Texas Tech University, Eastern Kentucky University, The University of Texas at Arlington, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to bill and account collectors?
Bill and account collectors may also be known as: Account Receivable Associate, Account Representative, Account Service Representative, Accounts Collector, Accounts Receivable Specialist (AR Specialist), Bad Credit Collector, Bill Collector, Billing Representative, Car Repossessor, Chaser, Claims Collector, Collection Agent, Collection Clerk, Collection Representative, Collection Specialist, Collections Agent, Collections Analyst, Collections Associate, Collections Clerk, Collections Coordinator.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.