Collection
Functions
- Collection clerk
- Collection supervisor
Description
Collection professionals are part of the accounting department. They are in charge of collecting past-due accounts, i.e. collecting money that customers owe the company, once the payment date has passed. The job involves contacting customers and providing them with convincing arguments to pay in a timely manner.
Duties
Collection clerks must be very familiar with the files of delinquent customers, who they contact by e-mail, mail or phone, etc. to inform them they are late in paying and agree on a payment due date. They are in charge of tracking files and following up as required. Each client file is the subject of a report, which collection clerks draft themselves.
At the time of payment, collection clerks enter the amount in the accounting records.
In the event of non-payment, they can ask for legal proceedings to be instituted, in collaboration with the legal department.
Collection clerks work with billing clerks and accounts receivable clerks. Depending on the size of the company, one person may be responsible for all three functions.
They are also in regular contact with credit managers, who set the credit limit authorized for each customer.
Supervisors oversee collection clerks. Several years of experience in collection are required to hold this type of job.
Skills
Collection professionals are organized and methodical. They like administrative tasks and working with numbers.
They are not scared to contact customers. They know how to make a case, be convincing and persevere.
The job of supervisor requires personnel supervisory skills.
Salary
Small- and medium-sized companies:
- Up to 1 year: $28,250 to $33,750 a year
- 1 to 3 years: $32,000 to $39,000 a year
Large companies:
- Up to 1 year: $29,750 to $35,500 a year
- 1 to 3 years: $33,750 to $41,250 a year
- Small- and medium-sized companies: $40,250 to $52,500 a year
- Large companies: $43,250 to $62,250 a year
(Source: 2006 Salary Guide / Robert Half International)