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Cash application specialist vs collections/accounts receivable

The differences between cash application specialists and collections/accounts receivables can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a cash application specialist, becoming a collections/accounts receivable takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a collections/accounts receivable has an average salary of $38,949, which is higher than the $37,558 average annual salary of a cash application specialist.

The top three skills for a cash application specialist include customer service, cash application and patients. The most important skills for a collections/accounts receivable are customer service, patients, and delinquent accounts.

Cash application specialist vs collections/accounts receivable overview

Cash Application SpecialistCollections/Accounts Receivable
Yearly salary$37,558$38,949
Hourly rate$18.06$18.73
Growth rate-5%-8%
Number of jobs63,92530,523
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age5146
Years of experience612

What does a cash application specialist do?

Cash Application Specialists handle a variety of tasks related to company finances. They manage the organization of the company's financial records and oversee the overall cash inflow. They may also be assigned to handle payment collection, preparation of invoices, and receipts' issuance. They manage their relationship with their counterparts in client organizations to ensure a harmonious work relationship. This will help them follow up payments, communicate better, and resolve any concerns. Cash application specialists are also in charge of updating client records and ensuring that clients' payments are accurate. They also process refunds and facilitate other financial transactions.

What does a collections/accounts receivable do?

An officer for collections/accounts receivable is in charge of a company's financial activities, ensuring that they receive payment from clients. They primarily focus on overseeing all billing and invoices, processing and verifying all receipts and rendered services, maintaining an accurate record of all transactions, producing reports and presentations, reviewing account and payment histories, and ensuring the accuracy of all processes involving the matter. Furthermore, should there be any complex issues, it is essential to reach out to a manager or a supervisor right away.

Cash application specialist vs collections/accounts receivable salary

Cash application specialists and collections/accounts receivables have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cash Application SpecialistCollections/Accounts Receivable
Average salary$37,558$38,949
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $48,000Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCBoston, MA
Highest paying stateDelawareConnecticut
Best paying companyDatamaticsApollo Global Management
Best paying industryTransportationFinance

Differences between cash application specialist and collections/accounts receivable education

There are a few differences between a cash application specialist and a collections/accounts receivable in terms of educational background:

Cash Application SpecialistCollections/Accounts Receivable
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorAccountingBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Cash application specialist vs collections/accounts receivable demographics

Here are the differences between cash application specialists' and collections/accounts receivables' demographics:

Cash Application SpecialistCollections/Accounts Receivable
Average age5146
Gender ratioMale, 19.3% Female, 80.7%Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%8%

Differences between cash application specialist and collections/accounts receivable duties and responsibilities

Cash application specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage documents for staff collaboration and training in SharePoint.
  • Work with private, work comp, auto, Medicare and Medicaid insurance companies as well as other payers.
  • Post daily payments including checks, wires, and automate clearing house (ACH) credit transfers to customer accounts.
  • Run weekly GL and TB reports.
  • Contact commercial and Medicaid payers regarding payment issues.
  • Process non-sufficient funds (NSF) /Chargeback documentation.
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Collections/accounts receivable example responsibilities.

  • Plan and conduct sensitive HUMINT collection operations with an emphasis on managing and debriefing confidential sources.
  • Work accounts receivable for Medicaid verification and payments.
  • Work remittance advice from Medicaid ensuring accuracy of payments.
  • Research and obtain extensive knowledge of FDCPA debt recovery laws and assist in recovering commercial debt from organizations.
  • Communicate effectively with patients, physicians, hospital staff, and insurance representatives to ensure accuracy in claims processing.
  • Review claims to determine if process correctly and if necessary, direct patients to contact insurance companies regarding additional benefit questions.
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Cash application specialist vs collections/accounts receivable skills

Common cash application specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Cash Application, 8%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • ACH, 5%
  • Customer Accounts, 5%
Common collections/accounts receivable skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Delinquent Accounts, 5%
  • Credit Card Payments, 5%
  • Past Due Accounts, 5%
  • Customer Accounts, 5%

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