How do I Become a Billing Coordinator?

Billing coordinators work for companies and organizations preparing invoices to collect money owed, following up on unpaid bills and coordinating other facets of the billing process. To become a billing coordinator, a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent normally is required. College coursework or a college degree might be required, depending upon the preferences of the hiring company or organization. College or vocational school coursework that can be helpful if you want to become a billing coordinator are general business classes, bookkeeping and accounting. For billing coordinators in more specialized fields, such as healthcare or law, knowledge of the terminology used in those fields also is helpful.

Strong computer skills usually are needed if you want to become a billing coordinator. Billing coordinators prepare spreadsheets, input information into databases and compile and print reports, so knowing different computer software or having the ability to learn how to use different computer programs is important. Being able to operate other office equipment such as calculators, faxes and photocopy machines also is necessary if you want to become a billing coordinator. Good math skills and strong written and verbal communication skills will help you in this position. Having good proofreading ability also is important, because it will help you ensure accurate invoicing.

As a billing coordinator, you will work with clients or customers of your organization or company. A pleasant and courteous telephone voice is important. Having a customer-service orientation and a patient-yet-assertive personality will be helpful when you need to answer billing questions and follow up on unpaid invoices.

Other important characteristics if you want to become a billing coordinator include being organized, having good follow-up skills and being detail oriented. Being able to think for yourself to resolve invoicing problems that can arise also is an important skill of a billing coordinator. Depending on the employer, you might also be expected to perform other administrative or clerical tasks. Being flexible, being able to multitask and having good time-management skills are important in this role.

To find work as a billing coordinator, contact job agencies that specialize in placing bookkeeping and accounting personnel. Look at online job boards and newspaper advertisements. If you haven't worked as a billing coordinator before but have office experience in a more specialized field, such as law or healthcare, consider targeting those industries for employment. Sometimes employers in more specialized fields might prefer knowledge of the field over specific billing experience, as long as you can demonstrate on your résumé and in your interview that you have the ability to learn the job.