billing-clerk/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — billing clerk

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 43-3011.00 (Bill and Account Collectors).

Task statements

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

Detailed work activities

• Collect deposits, payments or fees.
• Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
• File documents or records.
• Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
• Maintain financial or account records.
• Maintain medical records.
• Monitor financial information.
• Negotiate financial arrangements.
• Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
• Provide information to coworkers.
• Provide notifications to customers or patrons.
• Respond to customer problems or complaints.
• Sort mail.