
Streamlining your accounts receivable collections can be a daunting task, especially for small businesses or those with limited resources. A professional agency can take the weight off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on what matters most – growing your business.
By outsourcing your collections to a professional agency, you can expect a significant reduction in bad debt expenses, typically ranging from 20% to 30% of total accounts receivable.
A professional agency will also have the expertise to identify and pursue high-value accounts, often recovering up to 90% of outstanding balances.
This can lead to a substantial increase in cash flow, allowing you to invest in your business and make strategic decisions with confidence.
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Choosing an Agency
You want to hire a collection agency that gets results. Experience is key, so look for an agency that has specialized knowledge in your industry to address debt recovery challenges specific to your industry.
A reputable agency should have a history of success with accounts comparable in size and type to yours. This means they're better prepared to handle intricate collection scenarios.

Reputation is crucial, so research the agency's credibility through evaluations, testimonials, and case studies from previous clients. Look for affiliations or certifications from professional organizations like ACA International.
A good agency should offer a comprehensive suite of services, including skip tracing, legal assistance, and credit reporting. They should also provide customized solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Be transparent about their fee structure, including whether it's contingency-based or a fixed fee. Compare the fees to their recovery rate to ensure you're getting a fair return on your investment.
Location matters, especially when dealing with national or international consumers. A local agency may have a better understanding of state or regional laws, which can enhance the success of debt collection and legal compliance.
Get recommendations from other businesses that have had positive experiences with collection agencies. Do your research online, checking for complaints or legal actions against the agency. Read reviews and testimonials to get a sense of their reputation.
Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating a collection agency:
- Experience: Specialized knowledge in your industry
- Reputation: Credibility through evaluations, testimonials, and case studies
- Services: Comprehensive suite of services, including skip tracing and legal assistance
- Fees: Transparency about fee structure and comparison to recovery rate
- Location: Local agency with understanding of state or regional laws
Understanding the Process

You'll be connected with a collections attorney who will guide you through the process and sign a retainer agreement.
The attorney will send a demand letter to the debtor, informing them that a lawsuit may be filed if they don't pay by a specific date.
If the debtor doesn't pay, the attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Your lawyer will work to collect the debt, using tools like freezing bank accounts or seizing assets to get the money you're owed.
A settlement may be reached between you and the debtor at any point during the process.
Retrievable's process is designed to be the easiest, fastest, and most cost-effective way to recover outstanding debts.
There are no upfront fees, and you only pay a percentage of what's collected.
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Working with an Agency
Working with an agency can make a huge difference in recovering your outstanding accounts. It's essential to choose a reputable agency with a strong reputation and industry expertise.

To ensure you're working with the right agency, get recommendations from other businesses that have had positive experiences with collection agencies. You can also do your research online by checking for complaints or legal actions against the agency and reading reviews and testimonials.
Maintaining open communication with the agency is crucial to track their progress and request updates. Be aware of the fee structure, which may be based on a percentage of the recovered funds or a fixed fee. Ensure you understand how the agency will be paid and factor these costs into your decision-making process.
Here are some key things to provide to the agency for a successful recovery:
- Contact information for the debtor
- Past payment history
- Communication records
The more information the agency has, the better their chances of successful recovery.
Working with an Agency
Working with an agency requires careful consideration and clear communication.
To choose a reliable agency, get recommendations from other businesses who have had positive experiences with collection agencies. This can provide valuable insight into agencies that produce results.

Do your research online by checking for complaints or legal actions against the agency, and read reviews and testimonials. Websites like the Better Business Bureau or professional organizations can provide additional information about an agency's history.
It's essential to track the agency's progress by periodically evaluating their work and requesting updates. This ensures accountability and allows you to adjust your strategy as needed.
When working with an agency, make sure to provide all the relevant information about the outstanding accounts, including contact information, payment history, and communication records. The more information the agency has, the higher their chances of successful recovery.
Here are the key steps to follow when working with an agency:
- Get recommendations from other businesses
- Do your research online
- Track the agency's progress
- Provide all relevant information about the outstanding accounts
By following these steps, you can find a reliable agency that will help you efficiently recover debts while maintaining customer relationships.
Find Attorney
Working with an agency can be a great way to tackle past due invoices, but sometimes it's even more effective to bring in a professional. Employing a collections law firm is a common approach, as it can be the most efficient and effective method to collect on past due invoices.

Retrievables recommends this approach, and for good reason. They've seen firsthand how a collections law firm can make a big difference in getting paid.
If you're considering hiring a collections law firm, here are some services they can provide:
- Small Business Debt Collection
- Demand Letters
- Accounts Receivable Collections
By hiring a collections law firm, you can free up your time to focus on running your business, while they handle the tough work of collecting on past due invoices.
Improving Collections
Improving collections can make a huge difference in your business's cash flow. A trained team of collectors can significantly improve your success rate by systematically managing your overdue accounts to bring in payment.
To get started, consider establishing consistent collection processes and management. This can be achieved by setting up an automated accounts receivable system and providing multiple payment options.
Some common collection techniques include sending payment reminders, offering incentives for timely payments, and providing flexible payment plans. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that the collection of accounts receivable happens on time.
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Here are some additional collection techniques to consider:
- Establishing payment terms and deadlines in invoices.
- Setting up an automated accounts receivable system.
- Sending payment reminders.
- Providing multiple payment options.
- Offering incentives to customers for timely payments.
- Providing flexible payment plans.
By working with a collections agency, you can gain access to millions of consumer credit files and trained agents who can develop a clear picture of how a particular consumer will respond to their outstanding debts.
Common Techniques
Improving Collections requires a solid understanding of common techniques. Establishing payment terms and deadlines in invoices is a crucial step in getting paid on time. This helps set clear expectations with customers.
Setting up an automated accounts receivable system can also streamline the collection process. By automating tasks, businesses can save time and reduce errors. This can be especially helpful for companies with large volumes of transactions.
Sending payment reminders is another effective technique. These reminders can be sent via email, phone, or mail, and can help jog customers' memories about outstanding payments. It's surprising how often a simple reminder can prompt a customer to pay up.
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Providing multiple payment options can also make it easier for customers to pay on time. This might include online payment portals, credit card payments, or even bank transfers. Offering incentives for timely payments can also encourage customers to pay promptly.
Here are some common techniques for improving collections:
- Establishing payment terms and deadlines in invoices.
- Setting up an automated accounts receivable system.
- Sending payment reminders.
- Providing multiple payment options.
- Offering incentives to customers for timely payments.
- Providing flexible payment plans.
Improve Customer Interactions
Collecting money owed can get contentious, but with the right team in place, you can reduce complaints and improve customer service.
A dedicated team can answer questions and provide guidance at every stage, helping to resolve debts and enhance the goodwill of clients in their communities.
Having a team pledge to treat patients and customers as partners can make a big difference in how interactions are handled.
This approach can lead to reduced complaints and improved customer service, making it a worthwhile investment for any business.
By having someone available to answer questions and provide guidance, you can create a more positive experience for your customers and patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the collection of receivables?
The accounts receivable (AR) department is responsible for collecting payments and managing cash inflows from customers. They ensure timely resolution of disputes and optimize cash flow for the company.
Sources
- https://www.americanprofit.net/services/accounts-receivables/
- https://retrievables.com/accounts-receivables-collections/
- https://revcosolutions.com/5-reasons-to-hire-a-collection-agency-to-manage-your-accounts-receivable/
- https://ncri.com/how-to-hire-a-collection-agency-to-reduce-outstanding-accounts-receivables/
- https://www.debt-rr.com/2024/07/02/why-your-business-should-consider-a-commercial-collection-agency-for-account-receivables/
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