Credit representative vs collections/accounts receivable

The differences between credit representatives and collections/accounts receivables can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a credit representative, becoming a collections/accounts receivable takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a credit representative has an average salary of $39,268, which is higher than the $38,949 average annual salary of a collections/accounts receivable.

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

Credit representative vs collections/accounts receivable overview

	Credit Representative	Collections/Accounts Receivable
Yearly salary	$39,268	$38,949
Hourly rate	$18.88	$18.73
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	73,520	30,523
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	39	46
Years of experience	2	12

What does a credit representative do?

Credit representatives are professionals who analyze the credit data and the financial statements of firms or individuals for the determination of the risk in lending money or extending credit. The representatives are tasked to prepare reports with credit information used in decision making. They manage credit files and process credit reports from different credit reporting sources. They also mentor and coach credit representatives newly hired in corporate procedures and policies. Also, they expand collection procedures and policies to lessen DSO parameter risk.

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.

Credit representative vs collections/accounts receivable salary

Credit representatives and collections/accounts receivables have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Credit Representative	Collections/Accounts Receivable
Average salary	$39,268	$38,949
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $54,000	Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	White Plains, NY	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Connecticut
Best paying company	Systemax	Apollo Global Management
Best paying industry	Construction	Finance

Differences between credit representative and collections/accounts receivable education

There are a few differences between a credit representative and a collections/accounts receivable in terms of educational background:

	Credit Representative	Collections/Accounts Receivable
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Credit representative vs collections/accounts receivable demographics

Here are the differences between credit representatives' and collections/accounts receivables' demographics:

	Credit Representative	Collections/Accounts Receivable
Average age	39	46
Gender ratio	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%	Male, 25.3% Female, 74.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 7.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	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 Percentage	11%	8%

Differences between credit representative and collections/accounts receivable duties and responsibilities

Credit representative example responsibilities.

Manage portfolio utilizing AS400 and GetPaid systems.
Manage all credit files and process credit reports from various credit reporting sources including TRW and Dunn & Bradstreet.
Manage customer relations with internal personnel, group administrators, brokers and members as related to Medicare insurance.
Apply customer credit card and ACH payments.
Perform the posting of checks refunds and credit cards into the AS400 database.
Collect invoices through wire payment, ACH payments, and overnight mail options.

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.

Credit representative vs collections/accounts receivable skills

Common credit representative skills

Customer Service, 22%
Customer Accounts, 6%
Patients, 5%
Credit Card Payments, 4%
Credit Balances, 4%
Payment Arrangements, 4%

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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Credit Representative
Credit Representative vs Collections/Accounts Receivable

Updated January 8, 2025

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