Collections Specialist

Collections Specialist

Join a mission-driven higher education environment where your financial expertise and customer service skills will help strengthen financial operations and improve payment outcomes. As a Collections Specialist, you will manage a portfolio of outstanding receivables, monitor overdue accounts, and implement proactive collection strategies to reduce outstanding balances. You will work directly with students, businesses, sponsors, government agencies, and other customers to resolve payment issues and establish practical solutions. By combining account analysis, clear communication, and effective follow-up, you will contribute to improved cash flow and accurate financial reporting. Working closely with billing, accounting, and administrative teams, you will investigate discrepancies, resolve disputes, and ensure that accounts are managed efficiently. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, adaptable professional who enjoys problem-solving, building positive relationships, and delivering results in a fast-paced financial environment.

Accountabilities

• Manage Accounts Receivable and Collections
  • Maintain an assigned portfolio of outstanding receivables and monitor account activity to ensure timely resolution.
  • Review accounts receivable aging reports and prioritize collection efforts based on overdue balances, financial risk, payment history, and established collection procedures.
  • Monitor invoice due dates and initiate appropriate collection activities in accordance with internal policies and timelines.
  • Track accounts throughout the collection lifecycle, ensuring consistent follow-up until balances are resolved.
  • Identify accounts requiring additional collection measures and escalate delinquent cases when standard recovery efforts have been exhausted.
• Communicate with Customers and Coordinate Payments
  • Contact customers by telephone, email, written correspondence, and other approved communication channels to address outstanding balances.
  • Issue payment reminders and delinquency notices professionally and respectfully.
  • Explain account balances, invoice details, payment expectations, and available resolution options clearly.
  • Obtain payment commitments, establish payment arrangements, document agreed-upon terms, and monitor adherence to payment schedules.
  • Follow up promptly on missed payments, broken commitments, and unresolved accounts.
• Investigate and Resolve Account Issues
  • Research billing discrepancies, disputed charges, unapplied payments, missing documentation, and other issues preventing timely collection.
  • Collaborate with internal departments, including billing, accounting, cash application, academic services, and administrative teams, to resolve account problems.
  • Coordinate with external sponsors, businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to clarify billing requirements and facilitate payment.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of collection activities, customer interactions, correspondence, payment commitments, and account status.
  • Ensure account documentation is complete and that collection activities comply with established procedures.
• Deliver Excellent Customer Service and Support Continuous Improvement
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for customers with outstanding financial obligations, providing timely, courteous, and solution-oriented assistance.
  • Build constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders while balancing customer needs with collection objectives.
  • Apply sound judgment and problem-solving skills to address complex account situations and determine appropriate next steps.
  • Identify opportunities to improve collection workflows, documentation practices, and the overall customer experience.
  • Complete at least 19 hours of professional development annually and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education and Experience
  • An associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, combined with at least two years of experience in accounts receivable, billing, collections, customer account management, or a related area.
  • A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.
  • Experience in higher education, third-party receivables, or similar financial services environments is advantageous.
  • Experience using Workday or other enterprise financial systems is preferred.
  • Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is considered an asset.
  • Official academic transcripts must be provided.
• Technical and Financial Skills
  • Solid understanding of accounts receivable procedures, collection practices, and payment recovery methods.
  • Strong account research and reconciliation skills, with the ability to interpret invoices, review account histories, and identify discrepancies.
  • Proficiency in spreadsheets and financial systems, with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage account information.
  • Strong analytical and critical-thinking abilities to assess payment issues, determine appropriate collection actions, and support effective resolution.
  • Excellent documentation skills and a high level of attention to detail when recording correspondence, payment commitments, and account updates.
  • Ability to manage a high-volume portfolio, prioritize competing deadlines, and maintain consistent follow-up across multiple accounts.