2011 Best Places to Work in Collections — Medium Companies

ARSI – Account Recovery Specialists, Inc.

Medium Companies – 1st Place

Account Recovery Specialists, Inc. (ARSI) is a comprehensive receivables management company offering a full spectrum of collection services, from “early-out” programs and special campaigns, to traditional collections and credit reporting.

The company consistently achieves recovery rates nearly twice that of many competitors by combining highly trained, motivated staff with state of the art technology and account management tools, while maintaining a fun and caring family-oriented culture. This might include a special event fun day like “football jersey” day or an all expense paid company-wide trip as a reward for goals achieved. ARSI employee (and family) trips have included Las Vegas and cruises to the Caribbean and Cancun.

ARSI also appeared in the Best Places to Work in Collections for 2009 and 2010.

F.H. Cann and Associates, Inc.

Medium Companies – 2nd Place

F.H. Cann and Associates (FHC), a comprehensive ARM company founded in 1999, takes great pride in being a driving force behind the next evolutionary step in the ARM industry through its use of Six Sigma. The company uses Six Sigma tools and techniques when developing a custom collection process for each client whether it is pre-collect, default prevention, or post default collection portfolios.

FHC typically promotes from within and boasts a structured Career Pathing program that offers consistent, structured monthly feedback customized to the individual employee. Employees are offered multiple commission and bonus opportunities, profit sharing, and a 401(k) program.

Medical coverage offered to employees and dependents includes vision discounts, health club reimbursement, and weight loss program reimbursements. The company and employee share costs of healthcare premiums and new hires are eligible 90 days after start date.

To facilitate open communication, an everyday practice is constant and consistent communication on trends, key performance indicators, statistical data analysis, and 360 degree feedback on portfolio collection practices. FHC also hosts regular “lunches with the boss” or “team meetings with the boss” where employees are encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas for improvement with senior leadership and executives.

DCM Services, LLC

Medium Companies – 3rd Place

DCM Services, LLC offers deceased account recovery and probate solutions. The company also provides estate location and claim filing services.

The company provides bagels, baked goods, treats and fruit to all employees three times per week. In addition, DCM also provides lunches to all employees twice a month. All employees are provided free beverages such as coffee, tea, cocoa and filtered water.

DCM is supported by their ongoing employee communications practices. These practices include: organizational newsletters, corporate intranet, suggestion boxes, employee surveys, an open door policy for all and opportunities to meet with senior leadership. The company also keeps its employees informed through monthly staff meetings.

The employee health plan includes full coverage for employee life insurance, short term disability and long-term disability, and company and employee shared cost for medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage. Employees are eligible for the company’s health plan after one month of employment.

DCM was also a Best Place to Work in Collections in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd.

Medium Companies – 4th Place

Phillips & Cohen Associates (PCA) approaches each of its specialty markets including deceased account care services, collections, litigation, bankruptcy and management services with a customized strategy to make sure they’re “Recovering the Possibilities” for each client.

The company’s commitment to protecting a client’s brand and portfolio, while preserving the dignity of that client’s customers has been key to its growth from a small New Jersey-based home office to five state-of-the-art domestic offices to date and two international offices, one in the United Kingdom and the other in Canada.

In addition to promoting a number of contests and rewards programs for employees each month, the firm also offers a decompression pod in the middle of the collection floor for every employee to take full advantage of allotted breaks and collection related stresses.

Phillips & Cohen also appeared in the Best Places to Work Collections for 2010.

Asset Recovery Solutions, LLC

Medium Companies – 5th Place

Asset Recovery Solutions (ARS) officially opened its doors on March 2, 2009. It offers a full range of third party accounts receivable management services for delinquent debt.

The company’s compensation structure allows collectors to earn unlimited commissions.

In promoting communication throughout the company, ARS adheres to an open door policy, weekly and monthly meetings, and and other opportunities to meet with senior leadership.

ARS was also a Best Place to Work in Collections in 2009 and 2010.

RMB Inc.

Medium Companies – 6th Place

RMB Inc. is a leading provider of accounts receivable outsourcing and delinquent account recovery, with services aimed at improving cash flow, enhancing customer service and improving profitability for healthcare companies across the country.

With offices in Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia, RMB focuses primarily on client relationships and establishing a clear understanding of not only the collection industry, but also of the importance of delivering a superior service.

Annual luncheons, picnics, prizes and one stellar Halloween blowout provide RMB employees the opportunity to work hard and have fun doing it.  Even non-production staff get into the action when they’re paired with production (collectors) and provided virtual dollars based on each dollar collected by production partner. Top prizes have included a Hawaiian cruise and Disney World vacation.

American Coradius International LLC

Medium Companies – 7th Place

American Coradius International (ACI) has been a Western New York full-service retail collection agency serving national credit grantors in credit card, retail, auto and mortgage sectors since 1989. ACI prides itself on its integrity, commitment to excellence and drive for success.

ACI has built a bonus structure that is accommodating to first time collectors and those looking to make a move from other agencies.

Open communication is promoted through suggestion boxes, employee surveys, open door policy for all and opportunities to meet with senior leadership. Also, ACI holds a Town Hall meeting on a quarterly basis. These meetings are intended to inform personnel on the direction of the company, client rankings, recovery rates, new clients, employees are then given a question/answer session to ask senior management questions.

ACI has instituted an Employee Involvement Committee (EIC) to assist with employee morale. The one objective of the committee is to review the suggestions in the suggestion box from employees. There are floor meetings to discuss with employees any important information that needs to be communicated. Important information, employee birthdays and employment anniversaries are also shared through the company’s intranet.

ACI also appeared in the Best Places to Work in Collections for 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Credit Management Services, Inc.

Medium Companies – 8th Place

With results and service key, Credit Management Services is one of the Midwest’s most accomplished account recovery agencies with nearly 50 successful years spent developing a unique, effective approach to account recovery.

Working with over half the hospitals and 1,700 clients in the Midwest, the company has recovered over 44% of all accounts listed with the agency through the work of over 135 employees.

The family-owned, family-oriented business participates in the annual “community olympics” called the Grand Island Games, as well as numerous holiday parties, annual seminars and the occasional treat for positive results. The owners are readily visible and available to anyone on the floor which might explain why the company’s collection results are double the national average.

Collection Technology, Inc.

Medium Companies – 9th Place

Collection Technology, Inc. (CTI) provides collection services in the student loan industry. The company’s clients include the U.S. Department of Education, State Agencies and Private Lenders.

Collection Technology offers employees several ways to earn commissions. Bonuses can be earned from quantity, inventory balance or new money collected. Collectors, who do a little of everything, have the potential to earn higher bonuses.

Communication is encouraged through corporate intranet, suggestion boxes and an open door policy for all.

The company shares the cost of medical coverage with employees. Twenty-five different plans are offered through the company’s healthcare provider. Employees are given the option to choose a unique plan according to their needs and budget. Employees are also given the opportunity to meet with an HR rep. to discuss healthcare options and review plans that are available. Eligibility to participate in the company’s health plan begins on the first of the month after ninety days of service. CTI’s health insurance provider also allows for employees to enroll their domestic partners to medical, dental, and vision insurance.

CTI was also a Best Place to Work in Collections in 2009 and 2010.