Collections Specialist
hace 1 día
Norwalk
Job Description Title: Collections Specialist FLSA Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt Location: Norwalk, CT Pay Range: $25.00 - $30.00, Hourly Rate DESCRIPTION SERVPRO of Stamford (Norwalk, CT) is seeking a highly motivated, energetic, and detail-oriented Collections Specialist to join our growing team. In this role, you will analyze customer accounts and execute effective strategies to recover outstanding balances for our multi-franchise residential and commercial restoration business. Your primary focus will be driving active debt recovery, securing timely payments, and managing accounts receivable risk to protect company cash flow. You will be responsible for proactively contacting clients, negotiating structured payment plans, and working to meet or exceed weekly recovery targets of $200,000. Because a major portion of our revenue relies on the property damage claims process, you will serve as our primary liaison communicating directly with insurance adjusters, mortgage loss draft departments, and third-party administrators (TPAs) to verify coverage, track claim status, and expedite payments. Additionally, you will collaborate closely with our internal mitigation and reconstruction departments to resolve billing discrepancies, while providing backup support for invoice generation and dispatching as needed. The ideal candidate thrives in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and is highly comfortable making outbound collection calls while maintaining professional customer relationships, strong negotiation tactics, and a smooth administrative reporting workflow. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Collections & Active Recovery (Primary Focus) • Collections Strategy & Prioritization: Develop, implement, and continuously optimize aggressive collections strategies to systematically reduce Day Sales Outstanding (DSO) and mitigate bad debt risk., • Target Performance: Drive and execute daily recovery efforts with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding weekly collections targets of $200,000., • High-Volume Outbound Outreach: Conduct structured, daily outbound collection calls and written correspondence targeting overdue accounts across all aging buckets (0–30, 31–60, 61–89, and 90+ days)., • Lien & Legal Management: Monitor and enforce strict compliance timelines for collections. Maintain a rigorous calendar of key dates for accounts reaching 61–90 days to prepare, document, and execute third-party collection processes, including mechanic's liens and small claims legal submissions., • Dispute Resolution & Negotiation: Leverage exceptional communication and negotiation skills to establish structured payment plans, resolve billing disputes, and secure financial commitments from residential and commercial clients. Reporting, Tracking & Documentation • Data & Software Management: Log meticulous, real-time documentation of all customer correspondence, payment agreements, and scheduled follow-ups within SERVPRO Workcenter 2.0, DASH, QuickBooks Online and internal Billment systems., • Executive Reporting: Prepare and present comprehensive weekly reports on collection efforts, cash-flow forecasts, and aged receivables directly to the Franchise Owner and Controller., • Collections Tracking: Create, update, and manage advanced collections tracker spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel to maintain absolute visibility over high-priority accounts., • Account Auditing: Continuously audit and update outstanding receivable totals, resolving unapplied payments and correcting unpaid invoice discrepancies. Departmental Collaboration & Billing Support (Secondary Focus) • Interdepartmental Alignment: Partner closely with mitigation, reconstruction, and audit departments to streamline the resolution of disputed files and ensure company-wide financial policies are met., • Invoicing Backup: Provide seamless backup support to the billing team by generating and dispatching accurate commercial and residential invoices when call volume permits., • Autonomous Problem Solving: Work with a high degree of autonomy, making decisive, policy-compliant decisions regarding account escalations, settlement offers, and legal next steps. Other • Other ad-hoc duties assigned and requested by management. REQUIREMENTS, DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS: Experience & Industry Background • Collections Expertise: 5 to 8+ years of proven, high-volume collections experience (B2B and B2C), with a track record of meeting or exceeding aggressive cash recovery targets., • Accounting & Billing Foundation: 5 to 8+ years of experience in accounts receivable, bookkeeping, and general accounting., • Insurance Claims & Adjuster Knowledge (Highly Preferred): 5+ years of direct experience communicating and negotiating with insurance adjusters, TPAs (Third Party Administrators), and mortgage company loss draft departments. A strong understanding of deductible collections, depreciation, and the property damage claims process is highly desired., • Legal & Compliance Knowledge: Strong understanding of regulatory collection standards, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) guidelines, and state-specific legal compliance (particularly regarding mechanic's liens and small claims filings). Technical & Software Proficiency • QuickBooks: 5+ years of hands-on proficiency with QuickBooks Online (QBO) for invoicing, payment reconciliation, and account audits., • Advanced Microsoft Excel: 5+ years of intermediate-to-advanced Excel experience (ability to build and maintain complex trackers, utilize basic formulas, and organize large sets of aging data)., • General Software Adaptability: 5+ years of experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook), SharePoint, and OneDrive. Must be highly adaptable and capable of quickly learning proprietary software (such as SERVPRO Workcenter 2.0 and Billment). Core Competencies & Soft Skills • Assertive Negotiation: Elite verbal communication and negotiation skills with the ability to navigate difficult financial conversations firmly yet professionally., • Strict Attention to Detail: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills to audit accounts, identify billing discrepancies, and maintain spotless client files., • Strategic Time Management: Highly organized with the planning skills needed to manage daily high-volume outbound calling while executing administrative tasks on a strict calendar deadline (e.g., lien filing deadlines)., • Communication & Reporting: Strong written communication skills to draft clear, professional, and contractually sound letters, emails, and executive reports for both clients and internal leadership., • Adaptable Team Player: Thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume, and collaborative office environment, with the ability to pivot seamlessly between collections outreach and billing backup duties. EDUCATION • High school diploma/GED, required, • Associate degree in business, finance or administration, preferred COMPENSATION & BENEFITS We offer competitive pay as well as comprehensive benefits. If you feel that you meet the above criteria and are intrigued by the opportunity to work for a dynamic, fast-paced company, please contact us. Benefits: • 401(k) with company match, • Health insurance (Medica, Dental, Vision), • PTO/Sick and Vacation Paid Time Off, • Holidays, • Trainings Schedule: • 8-hour day / 40 hours per week shift, required Monday to Friday, flexible to work overtime when required. Overtime Requirement: We are a 24/7 Emergency Services business. You will occasionally be expected to work nights and weekends to assist our customers in their time of need during storms, cold weather, and other natural or man-made emergency situations. WORKING CONDITIONS Environment: This position will be in-office environment; not eligible for hybrid or remote. Ability to commute: • Norwalk, CT 06851: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Physical Demands: Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds may be required. Please Note: We are a pet friendly office, there are occasionally dogs in our office! ABOUT SERVPRO History SERVPRO of Stamford, serving the Fairfield County (Norwalk, CT) area understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes to your life, home, or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO of Stamford, serving the Fairfield County (Norwalk, CT) area specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage. SERVPRO of Stamford, serving the Fairfield County (Norwalk, CT) area can also mitigate mold and mildew from your home or business. Importance of Community Many leaders in our business were born, raised, and have raised families of their own in Fairfield County. Our neighbors are very important to us. With over 35 years we have helped thousands of people and businesses to recover from disaster as quickly as possible. Training We pride ourselves in being the best in the industry, and the best in the community. That’s why our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Franchise Facility for regular IICRC-industry certification, our technicians are equipped with the knowledge and tools to restore your property.