Collections associate vs account representative

The differences between collections associates and account representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a collections associate and an account representative. Additionally, a collections associate has an average salary of $38,589, which is higher than the $36,977 average annual salary of an account representative.

The top three skills for a collections associate include phone calls, customer service and UPC. The most important skills for an account representative are customer service, patients, and patient accounts.

Collections associate vs account representative overview

	Collections Associate	Account Representative
Yearly salary	$38,589	$36,977
Hourly rate	$18.55	$17.78
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	20,297	183,446
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	12	12

What does a collections associate do?

A collections associate is an individual who acts as a liaison between creditors and customers to collect outstanding payments and negotiates debt payments. Collections associates must contact debtors through telephone to negotiate debt recovery and prevent recurring delinquency. They must enact debt recovery plans and collaborate with other departments on debt collection strategies. They are required to research publicly-available resources such as loan documents and background checks to track down defaulters. They must also initiate legal proceedings when debt recovery fails and send statements of delinquency to the credit bureau.

What does an account representative do?

Account representatives are employees who manage client accounts and act as the main contact of the clients they are handling. They maintain existing accounts by updating client details regularly. They also check up on clients to see if they are still satisfied with the products or services of the company. They also create new accounts by welcoming new clients and assisting them in their needs. Account representatives manage client inquiries and process client requests. They also address complaints and ensure that any challenges are mitigated and that clients remain with the company.

Collections associate vs account representative salary

Collections associates and account representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Collections Associate	Account Representative
Average salary	$38,589	$36,977
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $63,000	Between $26,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Danbury, CT	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	California
Best paying company	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	New Relic
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between collections associate and account representative education

There are a few differences between a collections associate and an account representative in terms of educational background:

	Collections Associate	Account Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 43%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Collections associate vs account representative demographics

Here are the differences between collections associates' and account representatives' demographics:

	Collections Associate	Account Representative
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%	Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.8% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 3.9% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between collections associate and account representative duties and responsibilities

Collections associate example responsibilities.

Plan and conduct sensitive HUMINT collection operations with an emphasis on managing and debriefing confidential sources.
Perform follow up on Medicaid accounts.
Execute assertive collection skills for inbound/outbound calls while meeting FDCPA guidelines.
Call center collections following FDCPA guidelines for third party outbound collections.
Perform collections activities on delinquent loan accounts to include repossessions, foreclosures, bankruptcy proceedings, and disposition of repossess assets.
Position requires knowledge of Medicaid/Medicare formulary of cover drugs, the dosage and restrictions.

Account representative example responsibilities.

Manage all billing accounts including Medicare/Medicaid, HMO and individual accounts.
Manage the daily correspondence from assign practices with keeping doctor/patient confidentiality under consideration along with HIPPA regulations.
Manage and maintain an internal database system to generate reports and produce accurate account information for patients and insurance companies.
Educate physicians to use current ICD-9 diagnostic coding and preparation to begin ICD-10 coding requirements.
Analyze health care insurance/litigation patient account files to resolve outstanding and delinquent accounts due to the healthcare client.
Promote ThermoCool SmartTouch ablation catheter device to electrophysiologists.

Collections associate vs account representative skills

Common collections associate skills

Phone Calls, 16%
Customer Service, 14%
UPC, 10%
Time Card, 7%
Retail Store, 7%
Patients, 4%

Common account representative skills

Customer Service, 21%
Patients, 18%
Patient Accounts, 5%
Data Entry, 3%
Medicaid, 3%
Customer Satisfaction, 3%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Collections Associate
Collections Associate vs Account Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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