what is a billing clerk?
As a billing clerk, you generate invoices and ensure accurate, timely billings for services rendered or products sold by the company. You handle billings in the company, respond to billing inquiries, and resolve any discrepancies regarding payment issues. It is also your job to maintain records of outstanding payments and payments received from clients. You generate invoices and send them to clients to ensure payments are made on time. It is also important to verify billing information when processing payments for customers. When you receive money from clients, you reconcile accounts.
You use your accounting knowledge to maintain customer records and track the payments they make. At the end of the week or month, you prepare financial reports to submit to the accountant. Since you handle invoicing, your job involves dealing with disputes that arise from billings. When customers or clients delay payments, you send payment reminders and work out payment plans. Aside from accounting duties, you also assist with data entry duties and administrative tasks, such as filing and responding to general inquiries.
As a billing clerk, you need analytical skills to assess financial records and identify patterns or trends. You should also be good with numbers and pay attention to details to avoid mistakes when reconciling customer accounts.
Would working as a billing clerk suit your attention to detail and numerical ability? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a billing clerk role.
view jobs near youaverage billing clerk salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of a billing clerk in Canada is $42,900 per year. That means you earn approximately $22 per hour. In an entry-level position, you have minimal duties due to your experience. You take home a salary of $35,100 per year. Your earnings increase gradually with experience, and you can make up to $54,597 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a billing clerk?
The size of the company influences your earnings as a billing clerk. When you work for a large company with many clients, you are likely to earn more due to the complexity of your duties. Large organizations also have more resources than small businesses and can afford to pay higher hourly rates for billing clerks. In companies that pay hourly wages, your earnings depend on the number of hours you work. For instance, working as a full-time billing clerk attracts a higher hourly rate than part-time jobs. Working overtime also attracts a higher hourly rate.
The location can also influence your salary. For instance, when you work in large cities, the demand for billing clerks is high. That means the salaries are more competitive compared to smaller towns with a lower demand for billing clerks.
types of billing clerks
Billing clerks can specialize in working for specific industries, including:
- medical billing clerk: you handle billings in medical and healthcare facilities. You work in clinics, doctor's offices and hospitals, processing claims with insurance companies and managing patient invoices.
- legal billing clerk: you manage billing operations in legal departments and law firms. Your job involves processing billable hours, expenses and disbursements. You also create and send invoices to clients. The role calls for familiarity with the rules surrounding legal billing.
- utility billing clerk: as a utility billing clerk, you work in water, gas or electricity companies. Your job is to manage customer accounts and ensure they receive utility bills on time. You process usage data to generate bills and handle inquiries associated with utility billings.
- insurance billing clerk: as a billing clerk in insurance, you send invoices to clients on insurance claims. You work in medical facilities or auto repair shops and coordinate with insurance companies to ensure repair services are billed correctly.
working as a billing clerk
If you are interested in working as a billing clerk, read on to learn the duties, tasks and work environments associated with the role.
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what does a billing clerk do?
The specific duties of billing clerks vary based on the industry or employer. However, some typical tasks include:
- creating and processing invoices: your primary role as a billing clerk is to generate billing information and invoices. You collate, prepare, and issue invoices, bills and credit memos. You also generate the data associated with billings and create a summary of customer accounts to ensure accurate billing of the services rendered by the company.
- verifying billing data: in case of customer complaints, you check for errors, inconsistencies or omissions in customers' billing accounts. You communicate with customers directly to resolve billing disputes or work with other departments to gather relevant information on accounts receivables.
- sending reminders to customers: as a billing clerk, you keep track of customer payments to ensure the company receives payments on time. You also monitor payments that are past due and send reminders to clients. You issue reminders through phone calls or emails to find out if they have trouble completing the payments. You refer past-due accounts to accounts receivable clerks or collections departments, where customers can make payment plans.
- updating customer accounts after payments: as a billing clerk, you keep track of accounts receivables. When clients make payments, you adjust their accounts to show the correct balances and ensure they receive receipts. Since most companies use accounting software and electronic billing systems, you review the financial data and reconcile accounts appropriately.
- assisting with administrative duties: as a billing clerk, you handle a range of administrative duties, such as filing and data entry. You also speak with customers and answer questions from customers.
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work environment of a billing clerk
Billing clerks work in diverse industries, including healthcare, law firms, retail stores and consultancy firms. Regardless of your industry, you typically work in an office environment, such as a finance or an accounting department. You spend most of your time on a computer, using electronic billing systems and specialized accounting software to process payments and invoices.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the industry you work in and your employer, you are likely to work alongside other finance and accounting professionals. You work with finance assistants, accounts payable clerks and data entry clerks. You also collaborate with accountants, accounts assistants and administrative assistants. Since you work in an office, you may interact with office managers, executive assistants and administrators.
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billing clerk work schedule
Your work hours as a billing clerk align with the company's regular business hours. You work 40 hours per week, but the hours may vary depending on the industry. For instance, you work in shifts for organizations that operate around the clock, like healthcare facilities. That means you sometimes work outside regular business hours, such as late-night shifts or weekend shifts. Aside from full-time work, you can find part-time positions. Some companies also have remote work opportunities for billing clerks.
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career opportunities as a billing clerk
As a billing clerk, you start in an entry-level role in the company's finance or accounting department. You may progress to a billing specialist or account assistant role, where you handle more complex financial procedures. You can also transition into a billing coordinator role. With significant experience and education, you can work your way to management positions, such as billing manager. Some billing clerks move to general financial or administrative roles, eventually becoming office managers or financial analysts.
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advantages of finding a job as a billing clerk through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
billing clerk skills and education
Some of the educational requirements for becoming a billing clerk include:
- college course: while you can join the role after completing secondary school, consider pursuing a college course. Find an accounting course approved by the Canadian Bookkeepers Association (CBA), the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA) or the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI).
- work experience: most companies provide billing clerks with on-the-job training. However, you need additional work experience in entry-level billing or accounting roles to improve your career prospects.
competencies and characteristics of billing clerks
Some of the qualities of a billing clerk include:
- expertise in billing procedures: as a billing clerk, you require knowledge of billing procedures. Your understanding of the billing cycle and various payment methods will help you keep track of billing systems and ensure invoices are sent to customers on time.
- data entry skills: as a billing clerk, you require good data entry skills and knowledge of numerical analysis. Your data entry skills help you input information into accounting software correctly.
- analytical skills: your duties involve analyzing billing data to ensure customers receive the correct bills. Analytical skills are also useful for reviewing and interpreting billing data to detect trends and find errors.
- customer service skills: as a billing clerk, you work closely with customers to organize payments. The ability to handle interactions with customers professionally and provide clear explanations on questions is important. Customer service skills also help you maintain customer satisfaction and build positive business relationships.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a billing clerk.
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what is the role of a billing clerk?
As a billing clerk, you prepare invoices and send billing details to customers and clients. Your duties include general bookkeeping tasks, like tracking customers’ bills and sending invoices before the due date. You also send reminders to customers for payments that are past due. You reconcile customer accounts when payments are made.
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how much do billing clerks make in Canada?
As a billing clerk, you take home an average salary of $42,900 annually. Your earnings vary depending on your experience and the complexity of your duties. When you are new in the role, you take home an average salary of $35,100 annually. With experience, your earnings gradually increase, and you can take home over $54,597 annually.
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what is the difference between a billing clerk and an accountant?
A billing clerk is an accounting clerk who's responsible for handling data entry tasks and monitoring daily financial transactions related to bills. An accountant analyses financial data from different departments and generates financial reports that aid in decision-making.
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is being a billing clerk hard?
Your duties as a billing clerk depend on the organization, and since you handle multiple customer accounts, it can take time and effort to track transactions. To be successful as a billing clerk, you need good customer service skills and knowledge of accounting software.
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what skills do you need to be a billing clerk?
You require good communication skills to work with other billing employees. Your customer service skills are also important, as you must maintain professional relationships with clients.
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how do I find a job as a billing clerk?
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