Bill and Account Collectors - 43-3011.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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; keeping records of collection and status of accounts.

DOT Titles Included in this O*NET-SOC Code

  • Collection Clerk
  • Collector
  • Repossessor

Sample of Occupations in this SOC Family

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Advise customers of necessary actions and strategies for debt repayment.
  • Arrange for debt repayment or establish repayment schedules, based on customers' financial situations.
  • 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.
  • Drive vehicles to visit customers, return merchandise to creditors, or deliver bills.
  • Locate and monitor overdue accounts, using computers and a variety of automated systems.
  • Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visits to solicit payment.
  • Negotiate credit extensions when necessary.
  • Notify credit departments, order merchandise repossession or service disconnection, and turn over account records to attorneys when customers fail to respond to collection attempts.
  • Perform various administrative functions for assigned accounts, such as recording address changes and purging the records of deceased customers.
  • Persuade customers to pay amounts due on credit accounts, damage claims, or nonpayable checks, or to return merchandise.
  • Receive payments and post amounts paid to customer accounts.
  • Record information about financial status of customers and status of collection efforts.
  • Sort and file correspondence, and perform miscellaneous clerical duties such as answering correspondence and writing reports.
  • Trace delinquent customers to new addresses by inquiring at post offices, telephone companies, credit bureaus, or through the questioning of neighbors.

Detailed Work Activities

  • advise clients or customers
  • collect overdue bills
  • collect payment
  • confer with customer to review terms of credit or payment plan
  • drive automobile, van, or light truck
  • locate persons ( skip tracing )
  • maintain account records
  • maintain records, reports, or files
  • negotiate payment arrangements with customers
  • obtain information from individuals
  • type letters or correspondence
  • use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
  • use interviewing procedures