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Collections coordinator vs payment processor

The differences between collections coordinators and payment processors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a collections coordinator, becoming a payment processor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a collections coordinator has an average salary of $37,938, which is higher than the $34,030 average annual salary of a payment processor.

The top three skills for a collections coordinator include customer service, patients and phone calls. The most important skills for a payment processor are customer service, patients, and data entry.

Collections coordinator vs payment processor overview

Collections CoordinatorPayment Processor
Yearly salary$37,938$34,030
Hourly rate$18.24$16.36
Growth rate-8%-5%
Number of jobs40,11333,161
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4651
Years of experience126

What does a collections coordinator do?

Usually working alongside a company's account receivables team, a collections coordinator is in charge of developing strategies to optimize the payment collection operations. Among their responsibilities include reaching out to clients through calls or correspondence to remind them of their payment obligations, arranging appointments, processing payments, arranging payment terms, and researching a client's communication information such as cellphone number, address, or email. Moreover, a collections coordinator must maintain an active communication line with staff while promoting and enforcing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a payment processor do?

A payment processor is responsible for managing and informing the clients of their payment obligations for the services offered by a financial institution or other related organizations. Payment processors record transactions and ensure the timely completion of account statements. They discuss the terms and conditions of the service contract with the clients and respond to their inquiries and concerns. A payment processor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in coming up with repayment plans and solutions for clients who are not able to pay services in time.

Collections coordinator vs payment processor salary

Collections coordinators and payment processors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Collections CoordinatorPayment Processor
Average salary$37,938$34,030
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $47,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryProfessionalInsurance

Differences between collections coordinator and payment processor education

There are a few differences between a collections coordinator and a payment processor in terms of educational background:

Collections CoordinatorPayment Processor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Collections coordinator vs payment processor demographics

Here are the differences between collections coordinators' and payment processors' demographics:

Collections CoordinatorPayment Processor
Average age4651
Gender ratioMale, 26.6% Female, 73.4%Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between collections coordinator and payment processor duties and responsibilities

Collections coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Plan and conduct sensitive HUMINT collection operations with an emphasis on managing and debriefing confidential sources.
  • Manage accounts receivable/payment, insurance billing and follow-up for a solo physician clinic, and direct communication with patients regarding bills.
  • Audit outstanding accounts and resolve any balances including calling Medicare, Medicaid, government, private or commercial insurances.
  • Perform daily follow-up on Medicare, Medicaid, workers compensation and commercial insurances.
  • Hand illustrate fully render with marker and colore pencil sketches and Photoshop render drawings.
  • Submit insurance appeals and provider disputes when necessary.
  • Show more

Payment processor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and review all incoming discounts and electronic contractual adjustments for accuracy per the negotiated Medicaid and Medicare contracts ;.
  • Maintain daily transactions for customer payments and various bank accounts using Quickbooks to track transactions.
  • Prepare and print all reports for EDI processing.
  • Maintain client customer confidentiality and HIPAA regulations with all data handling and transfers.
  • Uphold and reinforce compliance with hospital policies and federal regulations such as HIPAA.
  • Investigate and take corrective action regarding invoices reject by system or through EDI.
  • Show more

Collections coordinator vs payment processor skills

Common collections coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Collection Efforts, 4%
  • Delinquent Accounts, 4%
  • Appeals, 4%
Common payment processor skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • ACH, 8%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Credit Card Payments, 4%

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