Accounts Receivables

Two Decades in Debt Collections: A Career of Purpose, Leadership, and Positive Impact

By Mike Hiller:

When I walked into my first entry-level debt collection job 20 years ago, I never imagined the journey ahead. What began as simply learning the ropes of an industry often misunderstood has turned into a deeply fulfilling career: one marked by leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to showing the world the positive impact our profession brings to people, businesses, and the economy as a whole. […]

2025-09-25T07:45:36-04:00September 10th, 2025|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Small Business Collections, Team APR|

How to maximize the results from your collection agency

We are often asked how a small business or a larger organization can achieve the desired results from using a collection agency.  And while every business is unique and the challenges that got them to need a collection agency are different as well, there are overall must-haves to make your relationship with your collection agency effective.

If you are a small business owner or someone in a leadership position who is tasked with bringing on a new collection agency, treating that agency as a strategic partner rather than a last resort is your first step.

Here’s how you, as a business leader, can strengthen your recovery outcomes with the collection agency you are working with.

2025-08-13T08:06:22-04:00August 13th, 2025|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Small Business Collections|

Understanding the role of respect and dignity in effective debt collections

You never know what an individual is going through and that is certainly true when it comes to consumers struggling with debt. No consumer wants to have a pile of unpaid bills and it’s a stressful place to be at the least.

How every consumer ends up in debt is different depending on the circumstances. While some people have mismanaged their money, other consumers have had various circumstances that could be out of their control.

Because we never know how a person gets to where they are, it is absolutely critical that we treat people with the dignity and respect they deserve. Because most people never wanted to be in the situation they are in.

When a consumer […]

2025-08-07T08:09:00-04:00August 8th, 2025|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Small Business Collections|

An insider’s look at managing negative cash flow

Many small businesses with negative cash flow, as well as larger organizations, are making the same costly mistakes.

Handling everything with internal resources.

Leaders, owners and founders tell themselves the same thing over and over again.” If we just keep calling, emailing and sending statements, eventually these customers will pay.”

The problem with that thinking is that it is a false belief, and over time, it proves to be unsuccessful. […]

4 proven tactics to stop negative cash flow in your small business

Every business owner or founder has experienced the effects of negative cash flow at some point.

The question for you is, how long are you going to let this go for and how often are you going to tolerate negative cash flow?

Whether you’re running a lawn care or landscaping company, dental practice, or even a restoration company, you’re not immune to the frustrations of late paying customers and negative cash flow.

Hoping customers will pay is just not a strategy. It’s a recipe for even further financial difficulties for your small or medium-sized business.

What does your business need to do to get back your positive cash flow? Check out our four must-haves! […]

6 clear signs you need to hire a debt collection agency

If you’re a small business owner or leader lying awake at night and stressed out over those unpaid invoices, you are not alone. Your bookkeeper tells you your bank account is shrinking, and your cash flow continuously goes negative.

For many small and mid-sized businesses, late payments are not just a minor inconvenience, they can be a slow bleed that affects areas from payroll to your Peace of Mind.

Many organizations continue to struggle with this and hesitate to talk about how this feels such as frustration as well as fears of what can happen if the financial situation doesn’t change for the business.

Let’s dive into some of the painful and all-too-common problems business owners and leaders […]

2025-06-09T08:45:09-04:00June 9th, 2025|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Advice, Small Business Collections|

Reducing the financial stress in your small to medium sized business

There is no doubt that there is a lot of stress when running a small business or a medium-sized organization. Countless areas require the focus of leadership and for many, the list seems never ending.

Financial stress, as you are probably aware, is at the top of the list of challenges and frustrations of small to medium-sized business owners and founders.

Partnering with the right collection agency can make a drastic difference in the amount of stress experienced by not only owners and founders but by other stakeholders involved.

Find out here how building a strategic debt collection strategy can reduce the stress in your organization. […]

2025-06-02T10:21:21-04:00June 2nd, 2025|Categories: Accounts Receivables, Small Business Collections|

What professional debt collectors want you to know about how they handle your accounts

Debt collectors have an enormous responsibility to every business they represent.

On the one hand, a business hires a collection agency to collect from customers that have not paid them. And on the other hand, it’s important to understand that keeping your customers is of equal importance.

Hiring a third-party collection agency is a big step for many businesses.

You want to be comfortable knowing that you’ll see the results you need, and you’ll also want to make sure that the agency you hire does not alienate your customers.

Collection agencies understand that they can play a critical role in the success of your business including managing difficult conversations with your customers.

Here’s what professional debt collectors want you to […]

Calling customers that have not paid? Follow these important guidelines

Calling customers in good times is pretty easy and stress-free for most of us. But calling them when they have not paid their bill is a different type of phone call.

While using a collection agency can be a necessary part of your accounts receivable process, it is important for your business to use internal resources to try to resolve a past-due account before sending it to collections.

If you’re calling customers who are behind on paying your business, we have provided a brief guide on the process that you and your team should follow.

Make sure you prepare for the follow up call

Whoever is calling your customers, they should be prepared with adequate information. Not only should […]

Don’t Leave Money on the Table: How to Work with a Collection Agency for Improved Cash Flow

Hiring a collection agency for your business can be an extremely smart move and a strategic advantage in improving your cash flow. If you have customers who are consistently late or who have not paid you at all, and those are piling up, it’s time to make that decision.

However, effective debt collections happen when you have the proper documentation in front of you. Having a paper trail, as they say, can increase the chances of getting the money owed to your business. Being organized and proactive can make a big difference in the amount of money you collect.

If you’re hiring a collection agency to improve your business cash flow, here are some things to consider […]

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