what is a billing coordinator?
As a billing coordinator, you handle the accounts receivable of a company. You keep the accounts records for all bills and payments related to a client and double-check to ensure the information is accurate. You supervise invoicing and follow up with clients. A billing coordinator ensures every client is charged appropriately by checking for errors that could lead to overcharging or undercharging.
Working as a billing coordinator involves constant communication with clients to help them resolve problems, answer queries and address billing disagreements. You also protect the company's interests by ensuring invoices are paid on time and company profits are reported.
Successful billing coordinators have strong mathematical skills, attentiveness to details and level-headedness. It is also crucial to be a good negotiator to communicate effectively with frustrated clients when there are issues with their bills.
Your services are useful in any company that provides services or sells products. Most businesses need billing coordinators. That means you can choose your work environment and preferred sector. For instance, in a law firm, you are in charge of calculating billable hours, while in private healthcare, you ensure insurance companies remit money for patients' procedures.
Would working as a billing coordinator suit your level-headedness and strong attention to detail? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a billing coordinator role.
average salary of a billing coordinator
According to ONS, a billing coordinator earns an average salary of £30,000 per year. That means the hourly rate is £15.38. Your salary starts at £24,500 annually when you join the profession. Experienced billing coordinators earn around £41,500 per year.
Apart from the basic salary, you also enjoy multiple benefits, including transport, housing and medical allowances. You may also receive end-of-year bonuses and other non-monetary benefits like paid holidays and sick leave.
what factors affect the salary of a billing coordinator?
The main factors influencing your salary as a billing coordinator are your experience and employer. At entry-level, your minimal skills and expertise attract a lower compensation package. However, you can negotiate higher pay as you build your years of experience and gain more transferrable skills.
The business sector also impacts your salary potential. For instance, the legal profession pays higher salaries compared to other businesses. If you have prior knowledge of billing practices or experience working with the accounts receivable arm of a company, you typically earn more than the baseline salary. Your location can also influence your salary. Big cities are likely to have higher wages compared to smaller towns.
types of billing coordinators
The types of billing coordinators depend on the business sectors they work for. Some include:
- legal billing coordinator: as a legal billing coordinator, you manage the billing hours for the clients and send them invoices. That means you track solicitors' charges and ensure clients pay them on time.
- retail billing coordinator: as a retail billing coordinator, you maintain the accounts receivables. You ensure your employer receives all the payments on goods sold to clients.
working as a billing coordinator
Working as a billing coordinator involves analysing payments and handling customer service tasks. Let's explore the responsibilities and work schedules of billing coordinators.
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billing coordinator job description
Some of the tasks of a billing coordinator include:
- ensuring clients receive their invoices: when a company provides services or products to clients, your job is to collect and record the billing data. That includes ensuring the quantities of the products and the prices at the time are correctly documented. You also prepare and issue invoices to clients on time.
- addressing billing problems: when issues arise relating to the billing or invoices issued to clients, you need to address them promptly. Your job is to listen to the client's complaints and resolve the disagreements.
- monitoring payments and accounts for discrepancies: as a billing coordinator, you need to examine the billing data for mistakes. If an employee points out inaccuracies in the billing, you need to ensure you are not overcharging or undercharging clients.
- analysing and writing billing reports: as a billing coordinator, you are in charge of the accounts receivable in the company. Hence, you need to keep accurate records of all the invoices issued and paid. You also write reports on the sales returns based on the payment received and report delayed payments and bad debts to the company.
- supervising and assisting the billing department: as a billing coordinator, your role involves supervisory duties and training functions. For instance, you need to train new workers on the company's billing policies and supervise the team to ensure accurate billing data.
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work environment
As a billing coordinator, you should expect to work in an office setting. You don't have to meet with customers because you conduct business via phone or email. All the tools for your duties will be available at your office, so there is no need to travel. However, you collaborate with other professionals within your company daily. Working remotely or from home is possible since you can accomplish most of your tasks over the phone. You can work as a billing coordinator in either public or private settings, and the choice comes down to what industry you find most comfortable.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the business sector, your colleagues might include accounting coordinators, billing analysts and compliance auditors. You might also be working alongside billing clerks and collection specialists, as well as other specialists that could include insurance consultants, accountants, payroll administrators and lawyers.
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work schedule
As a billing coordinator, you work a standard 40 hour per week schedule with regular office hours. While there is a chance of overtime, that option remains at the employer's discretion. Nights, weekends and holidays are not compulsory unless the organisation deems it necessary. If you already have experience in office work, adjusting to the schedule will be smooth.
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job outlook
There is always going to be a need for billing coordinators. For a company to run smoothly, revenue oversight is essential, and that is a coordinator's primary role. The pay is fair, and it's easy to advance the longer you work in the profession. You could also transition within your company into other roles. It is common for billing coordinators to become billing specialists, billing managers, billing supervisors or office managers. Some billing coordinators also specialise in specific business sectors and can become consultants in billing functions for a particular industry.
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advantages of finding a billing coordinator job through randstad
Finding your billing coordinator job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a billing coordinator is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
To become a billing coordinator, you need the following educational qualifications:
- bachelor's degree: you have to complete a degree in a related field to kick start your career. A business-related course like finance, accounting or marketing gives you a competitive advantage.
- work experience: you can gain experience working as a billing coordinator by applying for internships. Entry-level positions like a junior accountant can provide work experience. If you want to work in law, you need a background in the field to get you started.
skills and competencies
As a billing coordinator, you need the following skills and competencies to excel in the role:
- communication skills: as a billing coordinator, you have to be an exceptional communicator to address clients' complaints and find amicable resolutions. You also need to explain the bills to customers in simple terms and ensure they are comfortable with the company prices and payment policies.
- problem-solving skills: as a billing coordinator, you need good problem-solving skills since many issues arise during billing. Problem-solving abilities help you address a client's problems and fix problems that may damage the relationship between the company and the client.
- customer service skills: billing coordinators spend most of their time liaising with clients. You need customer service skills to handle customers calmly and resolve issues promptly to ensure client satisfaction.
- detail-oriented skills: as a billing coordinator, you should pay attention to billing details and ensure accurate information. Your eye for detail helps you avoid complaints of overcharging.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a billing coordinator
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what does a billing coordinator do?
The primary role of a billing coordinator is to oversee payments to a company, invoice clients accurately and collect payment for services rendered. Keeping track of the accounts receivable section will ensure all invoicing is correct.
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how much does a billing coordinator make?
A billing coordinator makes an average salary of £30,000 per year. When you have additional years of experience, your earnings can increase to over £41,500 per year.
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what does a senior billing coordinator do?
Senior billing coordinators are responsible for setting up the monthly billing cycles of their employer. Like a standard billing coordinator, you will take billing questions and ensure that clients receive information on time. Senior billing coordinators also install their design controls to keep the accounting process running smoothly from a client and company standpoint.
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what is a billing administrator?
A billing administrator oversees the entire billing and collection arm of an organisation. Your duties include maintaining databases, answering questions and preparing invoices. Depending on the industry, a billing administrator is also responsible for the insurance requirements of a company.
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how do I apply for a billing coordinator vacancy?
Applying for a billing coordinator job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
