Billing Clerk Jobs in the United States

Billing Clerk Jobs Overview

Are you interested in a finance career where you create invoices and review financial documentation for discrepancies? If so, consider applying for billing clerk jobs.

Billing clerks are responsible for generating credit memos and invoices. As a billing clerk, you'll also send payment reminders to clients or customers who have yet to pay. You'll spend a lot of your time helping clients address their invoice issues.

While the hours for billing clerk jobs can vary, you can expect to work a regular work week. Even though there are positions in many industries, you’ll usually be based in an office.

Billing Clerk Salaries

Billing clerk jobs come with an annual salary that ranges from $28,810 to $47,316, with a median salary of $35,228. Some of the factors that play a role in your salary include your experience and industry.

These jobs may also pay more if you live in a large city. Here are the median annual salaries for cities with the highest demand for billing clerks:

• Houston, TX: $30,258
• Dallas, TX: $33,861
• Phoenix, AZ: $35,531
• Los Angeles, CA: $37,736
• New York, NY: $39,078

You can find earnings information about billing clerk jobs in your area with our salary calculator. See what you could take home in your area compared to the national average.

How to Find the Right Billing Clerk Jobs for You

Define your career goals and interests before searching for a billing clerk position. For example, you might aspire to work for a large corporation that allows you to earn promotions as you gain experience. Also consider your strengths and weaknesses to find job listings that suit your skills.

Identify what you want from the job. For example, if work-life balance is important to you, look for positions offering flexible hours. Some job descriptions may include sections like "Why Join Us" to help you find out if it’s a good fit for you.

Review the Job Description Against Your Qualifications

Determine if the requirements and responsibilities in the job description match your experience and skills. Some billing clerk jobs only require a high school diploma. However, if you have a finance-related associate or bachelor's degree, your resume might garner more interest from potential employers.

Before you apply, consider areas where you may need additional development or training. You could set that in motion now so that you can tell employers that you’re already working toward further qualifications.

Research the Company and Its Culture

You can also learn a lot about a job by researching the company. Check the "About Us" page of a company website to discover its values, culture, and mission. If you'd like to know more about a company's work environment and reputation, read online testimonials and reviews from other billing clerks or finance professionals who have experience working for the company.

Look for Growth Opportunities

A billing clerk is generally an entry-level position in a financial department, which means there's a lot of growth potential if you work for the right employer. Investigate opportunities for professional advancement within the company you're applying to before you fill out your application. For example, does the employer offer billing manager positions as well?

How to Apply for Billing Clerk Jobs

To apply for a job as a billing clerk, you'll need to create a compelling resume and cover letter. Before doing so, review the job description to search for key requirements that you can emphasize throughout your application. Make sure you follow any specific instructions the employer provides in the job listing.

Write an Effective Resume

Writing an effective resume is about telling employers about your relevant skills and experience. Before you write anything, identify resume keywords that you can place in the content. These words are specific to the job listing you're applying to.

Keywords can also help you get your resume through the applicant tracking system (ATS). Many employers use this software to sort applications and filter out ones that don't include relevant information. The types of resume keywords that you might include in applications for billing clerk jobs extend to:

• maintain garnishments
• process payroll-related changes
• W9 vendor files
• submitting electronic payments
• keying invoices

The ideal format for this type of position is the combination resume. This format involves detailing your main skills before writing about your experience. You'll place additional skills at the end.

The main knowledge and skills that employers look for when hiring billing clerks are:

• knowledge of how to review invoices for accuracy
• verbal communication skills
• working knowledge of data entry and computers
• e-billing experience
• Microsoft Excel skills
• familiarity with billing systems like SAP Crystal Reports

You can also choose to have a professional write your resume for you. With Monster's Professional Resume Writing Services, you'll receive a document that emphasizes your unique value proposition and includes an engaging call-to-action to help you land more interviews.

Create a Compelling Cover Letter

Although billing clerk jobs are often entry-level positions, you still need to create and submit a cover letter that's customized to the job you're applying for. It's also a good idea to include some company-specific information that shows you've familiarized yourself with the organization.

These letters are less formal and more conversational than resumes. The letter you write allows you to introduce yourself to the company and make a good first impression.

Start by mentioning how you found the job. Include information about your experience and hard skills, such as QuickBooks proficiency, and feature a few of your soft skills. End the letter by expressing your interest in an interview.

Submit Your Application

After completing your billing clerk application, apply through Monster. Quickly and easily create a free account to submit your application. As a member, you have access to custom notifications for similar jobs as well as a professional resume review.

How to Follow Up With an Employer

After filing your application, wait one to two weeks before you follow up. The company needs time to review your application and identify the best candidates for the job.

How to Follow Up

If you send the message as an email, keep it to two or three brief paragraphs. Write about your interest in the job as well as reiterating your qualifications. Mention the parts of the billing clerk job that appeal to you the most, and close by requesting an update on your application status.

Who to Follow Up With

Follow up with the hiring manager responsible for leading this process. Look for their contact information in the job listing or on the staff page on the company's website. You can also try calling the human resources department to inquire.

Interviewing Tips

Once you schedule an interview, start preparing for it immediately. If you didn't do so earlier, research as much as you can about the company as well as the position.

When preparing for a billing clerk interview, practice answering the most common questions that you'll likely receive from the hiring manager. This process can help you understand what it's like to answer questions in a professional environment.

You'll likely receive a mix of behavioral and competency-based questions. For example, the hiring manager might ask you about your experience using payroll software.

Once you reach the date of your interview, make sure you answer each question you receive with confidence and authenticity. For example, the STAR technique allows you to answer the question by effectively telling a story from your experience. You'll set up the situation and talk about the task at hand. You'll then describe your actions before detailing the resolution that took place because of your quick thinking.

Questions about billing that the hiring manager may ask during your interview include:

• What tasks do you perform when a customer makes an online order?
• What have you found as the most effective tool for keeping track of invoices?
• How do you communicate with customers who have past-due bills?
• Do you have experience with accounting software like QuickBooks?
• What do you do when you discover a billing discrepancy?

Interview Process

The interview process for billing clerk jobs can involve anywhere from two to five rounds of interviews.The first interview often takes place via video chat or over the phone. If you progress to the next round, there's a good chance that you'll need to attend the interview in person. One or more hiring managers may host the interviews.

Follow Up After Your Billing Clerk Interview

After the interview, send a brief thank-you note or email within 24 hours. Thank the hiring manager for their time before reinforcing your qualifications. Consider mentioning a subject you spoke about during the interview.

If you don't hear back from the employer within seven to 10 business days, call the hiring manager directly to ask about the status of your application. Reiterate your interest in the job. Consider mentioning some of the things you like about the company as well.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

Once you get an offer from the employer, immediately thank the hiring manager. It's also a good idea to ask for two to three days to consider the offer.

The main things you should look for while reviewing the contract include your benefits, salary, and job responsibilities. Does everything align with your expectations about the billing clerk job and what it entails?

Before accepting or declining the offer, consider your priorities and needs. If the salary is lower than the average in your area, you could negotiate your pay and benefits with the hiring manager. During this conversation, always mention your gratitude.

Career Paths for Billing Clerks

Many billing clerk jobs lead to promotions up the corporate ladder. You may eventually gain enough experience to become a billing supervisor or billing coordinator.

After you land a job as a billing supervisor, you could look for promotions in similar finance-related fields. With more experience, you can become a financial manager. In this role, you'll manage the company's entire finance department.

If you're looking to take the next step in your career, search for networking and professional development opportunities. You can build a network of other billing clerks and accountants by joining a local or national association.

The specific association you join depends on your industry. For example, if you work in healthcare, consider joining the American Medical Billing Association.

Professional development also comes in the form of certifications or degrees. Earning a master's or doctoral degree in business administration, accounting, or marketing can help you enhance your resume and gain more opportunities. If you're looking to become a financial manager, you could earn a Certified Finance Manager designation from the Global Association for Quality Management.

Similar Occupations

If you'd like to use your financial skills or experience to chart a different path in your career, consider the following jobs:

• accounts payable clerk
• accounting specialist
• office manager
• administrative assistant