What are the responsibilities and job description for the Collections Associate position at OEC?
Job Summary
Drive down delinquency and protect company cash flow by managing past-due customer accounts. You'll monitor AR aging, resolve outstanding balances, negotiate payment plans, and serve as the primary contact for customers on billing disputes and payment status — all while maintaining accurate records to support monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
What You'll Do
- Account Monitoring: Review AR aging daily, prioritizing outreach by risk, balance, and days delinquent. Code and post payments and reconcile related accounts.
- Collections: Contact customers by phone, email, and letter to secure payment; negotiate and document payment plans. Resolve billing discrepancies, short pays, and disputes, coordinating with Sales and Customer Service as needed.
- Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed collection notes and account histories for every contact and promise-to-pay. Prepare month/quarter/year-end aging summaries and bad debt exposure reports, researching data to resolve discrepancies.
- Escalation: Send past-due notices and demand letters, escalating per collection stage. Recommend and document chronically delinquent accounts for agency or legal referral. Process credit card payments via RBS.
- Billing & Compliance: Track monthly bad-debt write-offs, update payment terms, process billing/statements per contract terms, and manage the billing system's subscription database.
- Credit Management: Recommend and coordinate credit holds, releases, and restrictions, balancing collections with customer relationships alongside Sales and Account Management.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all activity follows applicable debt collection laws (e.g., FDCPA) and internal policies.
- Team Support: Provide clerical support, assist with special projects, and back up teammates during absences.
What You Bring
- High school diploma or GED required.
- 3 years in collections, AR, or credit support, with experience in payment negotiation and past-due account management.
- Working knowledge of FDCPA and collections best practices.
- Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP) for aging and account analysis.
- Comfort with high-volume outbound calls and firm, professional payment conversations.
- Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills across teams and stakeholders.
- Ability to juggle multiple deadlines simultaneously.
What We Offer:
- Full benefits starting Day 1: Medical, Dental, and Vision
- 401(k) with company match
- Unlimited Flex Time Off plus 10 company-paid holidays
- Professional development programs and tuition assistance
- Employee resource groups and exclusive employee discounts