Collection Specialist Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Collection Specialist Resume examples

Ever wondered who's behind those persistent phone calls when payments fall through the cracks? Collection Specialists are the financial detectives who track down unpaid debts while walking the fine line between recovery and maintaining customer relationships. These professionals serve as the crucial link between businesses and their cash flow—combining investigative skills with negotiation tactics to recover funds that might otherwise be written off. In today's economy, with consumer debt reaching a record $17.3 trillion in early 2024, the demand for skilled collectors continues to grow, especially as companies seek to protect their bottom lines during uncertain economic times.

The field has evolved dramatically from its "bulldog" stereotype days. Modern Collection Specialists now leverage sophisticated analytics software to prioritize accounts, while compliance knowledge has become just as important as persuasion skills. With remote work options expanding and specialized industries (healthcare, student loans, mortgage services) needing dedicated collection expertise, professionals in this field can find numerous paths for advancement. Whether you're just starting out or looking to pivot into a role with clear metrics for success, collection work offers a surprisingly dynamic career with tangible results—where your communication skills directly impact a company's financial health.

Junior Collection Specialist Resume Example

Natalie Cummings

Phone: (617) 555-8721 | Email: natalie.cummings@email.com | Boston, MA 02115
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nataliecummings

Entry-level Collection Specialist with 1+ year experience in accounts receivable and debt collection. Quick learner with strong communication skills and ability to negotiate payment arrangements while maintaining professional customer relationships. Familiar with FDCPA regulations and committed to ethical collection practices while maximizing recovery rates.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Junior Collection Specialist – CredRight Financial Services, Boston, MA
November 2022 – Present

  • Contact 30+ delinquent accounts daily via phone, email, and written correspondence to secure payments and resolve outstanding balances
  • Negotiate payment plans and settlements, resulting in recovery of $47,250 in previously uncollected debt during first 6 months
  • Document all customer interactions in collection management system, ensuring compliance with company protocols and federal regulations
  • Collaborate with legal team on accounts requiring escalation, preparing documentation for potential legal action
  • Received “Rookie Collector” award after exceeding monthly collection targets by 12% in Q1 2023

Accounts Receivable Clerk (Part-time) – Mayfield Medical Group, Cambridge, MA
June 2022 – October 2022

  • Processed patient payments and maintained billing records for medical practice with 4,500+ active patients
  • Contacted patients regarding past-due accounts and explained billing procedures
  • Reconciled daily payment transactions and prepared weekly deposit reports
  • Reduced accounts over 60 days past due by 18% through consistent follow-up

Customer Service Representative – RetailPlus Department Store, Boston, MA
August 2021 – May 2022

  • Managed register transactions and processed payments including cash, credit, and store financing options
  • Assisted customers with store credit applications and explained payment terms
  • Handled customer complaints and payment disputes with professionalism

EDUCATION

Associate of Science in Business Administration
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA – Graduated May 2022
Relevant Coursework: Business Law, Accounting Principles, Business Communication

Certifications

  • ACA International – Essentials of Collection Practice (January 2023)
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Compliance Training (December 2022)

SKILLS

  • Collection Management Software: CollectMax, Debt Master
  • Payment Processing Systems
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
  • Accounts Receivable
  • MS Office Suite & Google Workspace
  • FDCPA Compliance
  • Skip Tracing Techniques
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Basic Spanish (conversational)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Member, American Collectors Association (ACA) – Student Chapter
Volunteer, Financial Literacy Workshop Facilitator, Boston Public Library (quarterly)

Mid-level Collection Specialist Resume Example

Monica Ramos

Philadelphia, PA | (267) 555-4108 | monica.ramos@email.com | linkedin.com/in/monicaramos

Dedicated Collection Specialist with 5+ years of experience in medical and retail debt recovery. Known for increasing recovery rates through a mix of persistence and relationship-building skills. Consistently exceeded monthly collection targets while maintaining compliance with FDCPA regulations. Looking to leverage my negotiation expertise and financial analysis background in a senior collections role.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Collections Specialist – Northeast Medical Billing, Philadelphia, PA

June 2021 – Present

  • Manage a portfolio of 450+ past-due medical accounts valued at approximately $2.8M, achieving a 34% recovery rate compared to company average of 27%
  • Developed new payment plan templates that increased patient participation by 19% and reduced default rates
  • Train and mentor 3 junior specialists on negotiation techniques and compliance requirements
  • Collaborate with billing department to identify and resolve systemic issues causing payment delays
  • Implemented specialized approach for high-balance accounts ($10K+) that increased collection rate by 22% for this segment

Collections Agent – FinFirst Recovery Solutions, King of Prussia, PA

August 2019 – May 2021

  • Maintained a portfolio of 300+ retail and credit card accounts, consistently meeting 115% of monthly collection targets
  • Negotiated payment arrangements resulting in the recovery of $487K in previously written-off debt
  • Documented all collection activities in company CRM system, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
  • Received “Agent of the Quarter” recognition twice for exceptional recovery rates and customer feedback

Customer Service Representative – Marcy’s Department Store, Philadelphia, PA

March 2018 – July 2019

  • Handled payment processing and past-due account inquiries for store credit card holders
  • Assisted in collections efforts for accounts 30-60 days past due, recovering approximately $14K monthly
  • Maintained 93% customer satisfaction rating while addressing sensitive financial situations

EDUCATION

Associate’s Degree in Business Administration

Community College of Philadelphia – 2017

CERTIFICATIONS

ACA International Professional Collection Specialist – 2020

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Compliance – 2019, renewed 2022

Medical Collections Specialist Certification – Northeast Medical Billing – 2021

SKILLS

  • Account reconciliation
  • Payment negotiation
  • Skip tracing techniques
  • Medical billing & coding basics
  • FDCPA & HIPAA compliance
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Collection software: Collect! and CollectOne
  • Bilingual: English and Spanish
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Customer relationship management

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

  • Epic Systems (medical billing)
  • Salesforce CRM
  • TeleVoice automated dialing system
  • Payment processing platforms

Senior / Experienced Collection Specialist Resume Example

Jeremy Blackwell

Email: j.blackwell@emaildomain.com | Phone: (312) 555-9847 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremyblackwell
Chicago, IL 60614

Dedicated Collection Specialist with over 10 years of experience recovering delinquent accounts and implementing effective collection strategies. Skilled negotiator who consistently exceeds recovery goals while maintaining positive customer relationships. Expert in collection software, compliance regulations, and financial analysis with a track record of reducing bad debt by 31% at Midwest Financial Services.

Professional Experience

Senior Collections Manager | Midwest Financial Services | Chicago, IL | June 2018 – Present

  • Lead a team of 14 collection specialists, handling a portfolio of 3,200+ accounts with balances totaling $17.4M
  • Redesigned aging report analysis process, identifying at-risk accounts 15 days earlier and improving recovery rates by 27%
  • Implemented new call strategy that reduced average days to contact from 8.3 to 3.6 days
  • Developed comprehensive training program on FDCPA compliance, reducing compliance-related incidents by 94%
  • Collaborate with Legal department to evaluate accounts for potential litigation, recovering $872K in previously written-off debt

Collections Team Lead | First Credit Solutions | Chicago, IL | March 2015 – May 2018

  • Managed a team of 6 collectors while maintaining a personal portfolio of 650+ high-value accounts
  • Exceeded monthly collection goals by an average of 132% throughout tenure
  • Created customized payment plans for complex cases, achieving 78% successful completion rate
  • Trained new hires on collection software, skip tracing techniques, and effective negotiation tactics
  • Served as FDCPA compliance liaison, conducting quarterly audits and addressing potential violations

Collections Specialist | Precision Recovery Group | Naperville, IL | January 2012 – February 2015

  • Managed portfolio of 800+ accounts with outstanding balances between $2,500 and $25,000
  • Consistently ranked in top 3 collectors, recovering $4.2M in previously uncollectible debt
  • Developed relationships with major clients, providing detailed recovery reports and account status updates
  • Identified and corrected billing errors worth $215K, improving client satisfaction and accuracy rates

Education & Certifications

Bachelor of Business Administration – Finance
DePaul University, Chicago, IL (2011)

Certifications:

  • Certified Collection Professional (CCP) – ACA International (2016, renewed 2022)
  • FDCPA Compliance Certification – Collection Industry Training Institute (2017)
  • Advanced Negotiations Training – National Creditors Association (2019)

Technical Skills

  • Collection Software: Columbia Ultimate, Experian Collection Advantage, Beam Software, DebtNext
  • Skip Tracing Tools: TLO, LexisNexis Accurint, TransUnion TLOxp
  • MS Office Suite (advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and vlookup functions)
  • Financial Analysis & Risk Assessment
  • Payment Processing Systems: PaymentVision, BillingTree, Authorize.Net

Core Competencies

  • Accounts Receivable Management
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
  • FDCPA & TCPA Compliance
  • Team Leadership & Development
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Credit Risk Analysis
  • Hardship Program Administration

How to Write a Collection Specialist Resume

Introduction

A well-crafted resume can make all the difference in landing that Collection Specialist job you've been eyeing. In my 15+ years helping folks secure roles in accounts receivable and collections, I've seen what works (and what really doesn't). Collection Specialists need to demonstrate a unique blend of persistence, negotiation skills, and financial acumen—all while showing they can maintain professional relationships. Your resume needs to tell this story effectively.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and organized—collection managers are looking for someone who can handle detailed financial information methodically. Aim for 1-2 pages max, depending on your experience level.

  • Use reverse-chronological format (most recent job first)
  • Choose readable fonts like Calibri or Arial at 10-12pt
  • Include clear section headings with consistent formatting
  • Use bullet points rather than dense paragraphs
  • Leave reasonable white space to improve readability
Pro Tip: Collections work requires attention to detail. A single typo on your resume sends the wrong message! Have at least two people proofread your document before submission.

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a punchy 3-4 line summary that highlights your collections experience, recovery rates, and relevant skills. This is your elevator pitch!

Example: "Collection Specialist with 4+ years of experience in medical billing environments. Consistently achieved 87% recovery rate on 90+ day accounts while maintaining positive client relationships. Skilled in skip tracing, payment negotiations, and FDCPA compliance."

Professional Experience

This is where the magic happens. Don't just list job duties—show your impact with specific achievements and metrics.

  • Start bullets with strong action verbs: Recovered, Negotiated, Reduced, Implemented
  • Include specific recovery rates and dollar amounts when possible
  • Highlight your call volume or account load management (e.g., "Managed portfolio of 275+ delinquent accounts")
  • Mention specific collection software you've used (Columbia Ultimate, Ontario Systems, etc.)
  • Show how you've improved processes or trained others

Education and Certifications

While collections doesn't always require advanced degrees, relevant certifications can set you apart. Include:

  • Any college degree (even if not directly related)
  • ACA International certifications like Professional Collection Specialist (PCS)
  • FDCPA/compliance training
  • Relevant coursework in finance, accounting, or negotiation
  • Software certifications for collection platforms

Keywords and ATS Tips

Most collection agencies and financial institutions use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes before human eyes see them. Include these terms (where truthful):

  • Account reconciliation
  • Skip tracing
  • Payment arrangements
  • FDCPA/TCPA compliance
  • Delinquent accounts
  • Recovery rates
  • Call campaigns
  • Debt resolution

Industry-specific Terms

Collection work has its own vocabulary. Incorporate relevant terminology that shows you know the field:

  • First-party vs. third-party collections
  • Pre-collect/early intervention
  • Charge-off accounts
  • Payment arrangements/settlements
  • Right party contact rates
  • Dialer systems (Aspect, etc.)
  • Credit bureau reporting

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I've reviewed thousands of collection resumes, and these missteps appear way too often:

  • Being vague about recovery results (always include percentages)
  • Focusing only on call metrics without showing financial impact
  • Not mentioning compliance knowledge (huge red flag!)
  • Using generic descriptions that could apply to any job
  • Neglecting to show progression in responsibility

Before/After Example

BEFORE: "Responsible for calling customers about past due accounts and collecting payments."

AFTER: "Recovered $437K in aged receivables (90+ days) over 12 months by implementing targeted call campaigns and negotiating realistic payment arrangements, improving department recovery rate from 42% to 59%."

Remember—your resume should demonstrate both your technical collection abilities AND your professional communication skills. After all, successful collections requires the perfect balance of persistence and tact. Good luck, and happy collecting!

Soft skills for your Collection Specialist resume

  • Conflict resolution – skilled at diffusing tense conversations with past-due clients while maintaining professional relationships
  • Active listening that gets to the root cause of payment issues rather than just addressing surface excuses
  • Time management (juggling 75+ accounts at different collection stages without dropping the ball)
  • Adaptability to work with different payment systems and customer personalities
  • Cross-functional communication between accounting, legal, and customer service teams
  • Resilience under pressure, especially during month-end collection targets

Hard skills for your Collection Specialist resume

  • AR/Collection Management Software (Katabat, CollectionEdge, TCG)
  • Skip-tracing techniques and tools (LexisNexis, TLO, Accurint)
  • Payment processing systems (PayPal, Stripe, ACH transfers)
  • Debt validation documentation processes
  • MS Excel pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions for aging reports
  • FDCPA, FCRA, and TCPA regulatory compliance
  • Credit bureau reporting procedures (TransUnion, Experian, Equifax)
  • Salesforce CRM customization for collection workflows
  • Predictive dialer systems (TCN, Five9, CallMiner)