Billing clerks are in charge of sending invoices to customers and processing payments. Billing clerk jobs can be found in a variety of industries, and the level of training required depends on the job’s complexity. Hotels, utility companies, insurance companies, and telecommunication companies all have billing clerk positions.
Many billing clerk positions are entry-level, requiring a high school diploma and prior customer service experience. Clerks are in charge of printing invoices that list all of the goods and services that have been provided to each customer. The clerk then presents the invoice to the customer and takes care of the payment. Billing clerks for insurance companies and other financial firms must typically have a background in the financial services field or a business or finance related degree. Billing clerks who succeed advance to supervisory positions and eventually become billing managers.
Billing clerks work at hotel reception desks, airport kiosks, and train stations for hotels and travel companies. These clerks are in charge of selling tickets and taking reservations. Most employers expect clerks to provide customers with basic information about the services they provide, and some employers expect clerks to promote excursions and products on their own initiative. Clerks usually receive some basic customer service training as well as instructions on how to handle customer complaints. When clerks are unable to resolve a billing issue or another customer complaint, they must refer the issue to a supervisor.
Insurance billing clerks must communicate with medical facilities, auto repair shops, and other service providers in order to determine the cost of the services provided to the insured. Clerks are responsible for providing insurees with a detailed breakdown of the expenses covered the insurance contract as well as the expenses for which the insuree is responsible. Medical billing clerks are typically required to have some knowledge of medical procedures in order to ensure that only medically necessary procedures are billed to the company and the insured.
Billing clerks are employed utility companies to process payments for services such as electricity, water, and gas. Many utilities are owned municipalities, so billing clerks work for the government. Customer complaints are usually handled a separate department, and clerk positions are typically entry-level.
Billing clerks are employed satellite providers, communication companies, and other service providers and are responsible for both processing payments and soliciting new clients. Many businesses give billing clerks the authority to offer discounted rates to disgruntled customers in order to save existing contracts and to offer special deals to prospective customers in order to increase sales. Sales specialists are usually in charge of the actual sales, but billing clerks are frequently compensated for making referrals. Billing clerks also deal with customer complaints and questions about service invoices, but not with technical questions about the services provided.