Credit Collections Assistant

Credit Collections Assistant

The Credit Collections Assistant uses independent judgment and exercises full working responsibility of follow-up calls for clients in lockout to bring them back into compliance with servicing the interlock and payment of fees. Coordinates office and field collection procedures and analyzes field collection reports to determine further steps in collection effort. Compiles data required for transfer of accounts to collection agency. Credit Assistant may be required to assist in compiling monthly information for report of delinquent account collections and bad debt write offs. Coordinates and acts as liaison for contracts with vendors for collection bill receivables and other collection agencies.

Essential Duties

• Daily collection calls using the lockout report. Must be able to write detailed notes on all collection calls and insert in the collection screen in Smart Trac.
• Review past due clients for reinstall and send approvals to Customer Service Representatives so they can set client up for installation.
• Review of client logs to determine if a lockout credit will be assessed.
• Review of tow bills and service site notes to determine if a tow bill should be credited.
• Conducts special billing investigations involving difficult problems. Makes determinations and resolves disputes.
• Handles difficult credit/collection problems that are referred by Customer Service Representatives.
• Monitors customer account balances for customer services and initiates collection procedures.
• Assures credit collection policies are consistent with sound business and financial policies, and are in compliance with City, State, and Federal rules and regulations.
• Coordinates and records field collection activities of Customer Service Representatives and Service Centers.
• May handle correspondence and claims in connection with bankruptcies and estates.
• Coordinates acknowledgement of refunds, notification of customers and reconciliation of accounts.

Minimum Qualifications

• Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:
• The combination of previous training and education equivalent to completion of two years of college or business school, and
• Three years experience as a Customer Service Representative or Customer Service Specialist, or three years experience in a responsible position involving the extension of credit and collection of delinquent accounts.
• Knowledge of modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Knowledge and understanding of automated systems and procedures for bill collection and follow-up.
• Ability to interpret customer billing records.
• Ability to determine and resolve billing errors with customers.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including ability to deal with customers in resolving billing and credit problems.
• Ability to work under pressure and sometimes with difficult and abusive customers.
• Ability to work independently using judgment and analytical skills to resolve problems and discrepancies.
• Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting for extended periods of time and operating assigned office equipment.
• Ability to communicate with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Ability to operate assigned equipment.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions
• Bilingual.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, knee, crouch or crawl. The employee may assume a sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will posses the skills, aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum level of knowledge, skills or abilities.