2011 Best Places to Work in Collections — Small Companies

KeyBridge Medical Revenue Management

Small Companies – 1st Place

KeyBridge partners specialize in medical collections. The company partners with healthcare providers that are struggling with how to collect patient accounts.

Employees can receive monthly bonuses based on their performance and the performance of their operating unit.

Communication throughout the company is enabled through , monthly organizational newsletters that announce promotions, new clients and other company updates; corporate intranet; employee surveys; an open door policy and opportunities to meet with senior management. Employee communication is also facilitated through frequent updates of birthdays and anniversaries over the company’s corporate intranet page.

Keybridge’s health plan includes full payment for employee life insurance and shared cost with employees for prescription and medical coverage. Eligibility for the health plan begins after 90 days of hire.

Tucker, Albin & Associates, Inc.

Small Companies – 2nd Place

Respect and a deep family history are key for Texas-based Tucker, Albin & Associates. By naming the company after their grandfathers and the principles they evoke, Tucker Albin operates with the fundamentals and spirit of a bygone generation – a belief that professionalism will outperform any other tactic in business.

The company provides commercial debt recovery for most business sectors through all ages of delinquency, while providing clients legal services through the firm’s national network of attorneys.

Employees enjoy a committed open door policy as well as flexible hours and fair compensation packages. They might even see the CEO and VP on the floor daily mixing with collectors, willing to discuss issues, recommendations, and new ideas.

GB Collects

Small Companies – 3rd Place

GB Collects, founded in 2001, demonstrates best-in-class integrity-based commercial debt recovery solutions. The company represents insurance companies, transportation firms, distributors, and manufacturers nationwide.

Employees are given autonomy to manage their work like their own business and share profits by earning a percent of the revenue generated through monthly bonus programs.

GB Collects focuses on creating a welcoming work environment through the use of flexible scheduling, holiday parties, monthly awards (gift cards, lottery tickets, barbeques) for top sales/collector teams and a “Biggest Loser”-style weight loss challenge.

The company offers comprehensive medical coverage for employees and shares in the cost of insurance.

Receivable Recovery Partners

Small Companies – 4th Place

Receivable Recovery Partners (RRP) is a collection agency whose service lines include bad-debt collection, 2nd placement accounts, insurance billing/follow-up, legal account resolution and special projects.

The company fosters communication through organizational newsletters, corporate intranet, open door policy for all and opportunities to meet with senior leadership. RRP also uses their Facebook profile to keep employees informed about certain events and special announcements.

RRP shares the cost of medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage with employees. Eligibility begins after 90 days of hire.

RRP was also a Best Place to Work in Collections in 2009 and the winner of the Small business category in 2010.

J&L Teamworks

Small Companies – 5th Place

J&L Teamworks has delivered its debt collection, billing, and extended office services exclusively to the healthcare industry since 1990. The company also purchases medical debt.

J&L Teamworks offers its employees many opportunities to earn bonuses and extra cash beyond the typical commission structure. The company incentivizes perfect attendance, offers quota bonuses, and awards cash for Employee of the Month. To foster a sense of team, J&L holds dress down days, team potlucks, raffles, and team contests.

The company offers comprehensive medical coverage for employees and shares in the cost of insurance.

Agency of Credit Control, Inc.

Small Companies – 6th Place

Agency of Credit Control (ACC) is a second generation billing and collection service provider founded in 1956, serving a wide range of local, regional, national and international clients.

The Denver-based company fosters an open family environment where autonomy and communication with senior management continues to produce results along with the company’s effective Accounts Receivable and Bad Debt tools, Priority Collection System (PCS) and Receivables Management Solutions (RMS).

ACC also subscribes to an audio book club available to every employee, with access to over 500 titles ranging from self help and professional to motivational and inspirational. Employees are also eligible for tuition re-imbursement for classes that could be used to enhance daily performance, and off-site “mojo” gatherings are offered to promote teamwork and camaraderie.

ACC also appeared in the Best Places to Work in Collections for 2010.

Americollect Inc.

Small Companies – 7th Place

Americollect was established in 1964. It provides collection services in the Medical, Utilities, Government, Cable and Cellular industries.

The company enacts a team based incentive program to insure productivity. Each month a team is provided with three goals: a low, medium and high goal. Three different amounts of commission can be paid to a team depending on how much it collects, and the goal that is achieved for the month. Additionally, weekly contests provide incentives to win cash, gift cards and an excuse to dress unusually during themed dress up days. The company also provides daily goals and words of encouragement to its employees.

Americollect facilitates communication through organizational newsletters, employee surveys, an open door policy for all, opportunities to meet with senior leadership and creating an approachable environment between co-workers to eliminate communication barriers. Also, to enhance employee communication, Americollect split its facility into large open rooms to enable communication without the confusion of physical barriers.

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

Meade & Associates, Inc.

Small Companies – 8th Place

Meade & Associates, Inc., a full service debt collection agency based in Westerville, Ohio, was founded in 1978 by Russ Meade. The company offers collection services across a broad range of sectors, including student loans, commercial, banking, utility, and healthcare.

Meade & Associates built and owns the building in which it currently operates. As such, the space has been tailored specifically for collection call center work.

In addition to a commission structure for collectors that features unlimited earning opportunities, the company holds contests and team-building events throughout the year, such as golf outings, other sporting events, a quarterly potluck, and awards prepaid gas cards when collectors hit their goals. Meade & Associates also offers employees a free catered lunch once per week.

The firm has a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 401(k) with company matching and shared cost medical coverage that all employees have access to 90 days after hire.

Alliance Collection Service, Inc.

Small Companies – 9th Place

Alliance Collection Service, Inc., founded in 1995, is a debt collection agency based in Tupelo, Miss. Part of the company’s mission is “to do it right the first time, every time.” The company also vows to treat debtors with respect and dignity.

Alliance is heavily involved in its state unit of ACA International, Associated Collectors of Mississippi, with managers serving as leaders of the group in various capacities.

The company keeps their employees engaged with a fun office environment that includes various contests and incentive programs. Alliance is also actively involved with local charity The Shepard’s Hands.

National Recovery Services

Small Companies – 10th Place

National Recovery Services (NRS) is a national debt collection firm specializing in the collection of both pre and post charged off debt using small town values, big city experience and an annual Baseball Camp to boot.

The Ottawa, Kan.-based company stresses a philosophy of three Cs most of all – to be Compliant, Competitive, and Compassionate as the driving force behind its high performance and low cost services.  The NRS team provides the responsiveness and attention to detail from its suburban Kansas City headquarters, with the licensing, bonding, and technology of any large corporation.

It also boasts a management team with a combined 40-years of collection experience and representatives averaging at least three.

National Recovery Services also appeared in the Best Places to Work in Collections for 2010.

Pioneer Financial Services

Small Companies – 11th Place

Pioneer Financial Services is the military financial arm of MidCountry Bank. For the 2011 Best Places to Work in Collections, the company was judged on its collection unit only.

Pioneer collection unit offers employees freedom and flexibility with regard to daily scheduling and workday structure. The group has a deep respect for loyalty among its workers with a formal anniversary recognition and award program.

Being part of a large company, employees have access to a wide range of benefits including comprehensive and inexpensive medical coverage, retirement programs with matching, and paid time off for volunteer work. Benefits are available immediately to new hires.

The company is very active with various military charities and other community organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

American Profit Recovery, Inc.

Small Companies – 12th Place

American Profit Recovery (APR) is a collection agency with offices in Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Kentucky. The company specializes in the collection of third-party debt in the medical/dental, banking, trades, lawn care and other professional services industries.

Part of APR’s positive employee environment is shown through gifts the company gives for milestones that are achieved. It gives year-end bonuses for 5 different categories from rookies to seasoned representatives. Bonuses for Admin/IT Managers are based on overall sales budget achievements quarterly and annually. Bonuses for collectors are based on monthly goals.

The company uses communication tools such as organizational newsletters, corporate intranet, suggestion boxes, employee surveys, an open door policy, opportunities to meet with senior leadership, Intra-office instant messaging, feedback meetings, GoTo Meetings, and the creation of a company Facebook fan page. Employees also participate in monthly company calls, reading bi-weekly blogs by members of the staff and PR team. YouTube video blogs are orchestrated by APR public relations to show what is going on in different offices.

An employee is eligible for the company’s health plan on the first of the month after 90 days. The company offers a vision plan this year that costs employees five dollars per month. APR also offers a discount card for discounts on prescriptions, chiropractic care and other alternative medicine. The company and employees share the cost on prescription and medical coverage.

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

Healthcare Receivables Group

Small Companies – 13th Place

Healthcare Receivables Group was founded in 1993 as Receivables Management Bureau. The firm changed its name in 2009 to Healthcare Receivables Group (HRG) to more accurately describe the purpose and philosophy of the services it provides. The company specializes exclusively in revenue cycle operations.

The company focuses on keeping employees happy through internal town hall meetings, monthly feedback on performance and goals, and various incentive and team building programs. Employees are eligible to earn both team and individual bonuses.

HRG offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes full medical coverage and a 401(k) program with company matching.

Centralized Business Solutions Company

Small Companies – 14th Place

Centralized Business Solutions Company is a full service debt collection agency located in North Canton, Ohio.

The company engages employees with regular celebrations, providing food at random times, and outings to local sporting events. In addition to a comprehensive commission and bonus structure, CBSC holds daily, weekly, and monthly award contests. Employees are also encouraged to participate in local charities.

Employee benefits include comprehensive medical coverage and a 401(k) program with company matching. Management provides continuous feedback and training to workers to help advance their career goals.

Credit Financial Services, Inc.

Small Companies – 15th Place

Credit Financial Services, based in Durham, N.C., is a collection agency that specializes primarily in medical debt. The company also offers recovery services for commercial, country club, utility, and other clients in the Eastern U.S.

The company has created a welcoming work environment by offering employees flexible scheduling options, holding monthly meetings to maintain operational transparency, and holding frequent staff parties.

Sales and collection staff can earn bonuses based on revenues in their portfolios. CFS also offers additional earning opportunities with monthly contests.

Employee benefits include inexpensive comprehensive medical coverage and subsidized gym membership.

CollectionCenter, Inc.

Small Companies – 16th Place

CollectionCenter, Inc. is a full service debt collection agency that has been serving the Mountain States region since 1919. The company is based in Rawlins, Wyo. with additional offices in Colorado, Montana, and Utah.

CollectionCenter has been owned by the same family since its founding. The company’s current majority shareholder, Linda Russell, was elected President of ACA International in 1991, the first female to earn the honor.

Employees are given ample opportunity to earn bonuses beyond their typical commission with monthly contests. The company also offers profit sharing bonuses and a 401(k) with company matching.

CollectionCenter was named a Best Place to Work in Collections in 2008.

Conrad Companies

Small Companies – 17th Place

Conrad Acceptance Corporation and Conrad Credit Corporation are part of the Conrad Companies family of receivables management companies. Conrad Credit Corporation specializes in the collection of unsecured consumer receivables in many industries, including vacation ownership, education, healthcare and retail. Conrad Acceptance provides loan servicing, custom alternative financing and cash-flow advance programs.

Conrad Companies gives its employees a host of monetary rewards for their hard work. The firm provides collection agency commissions, check by phone bonuses, check calls bonuses, new employee referrals and marketing commissions. It also gives employees the chance to acquire “Above and Beyond” T-shirts, which are given to employees that exceed their normal job requirements and “REGI Awards.” which are awarded to employees for innovative and beneficial company ideas.

The company also encourages employee camaraderie through numerous events, such as a scavenger hunt, lunch boat cruise, Del Mar racetrack outings, baseball games, picnics, etc.

The firm’s health plan includes a shared cost between the company and the employee for medical, prescription and dental coverage. Employees are eligible for the company’s health plan ninety days after hire.

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

Allied Collection Service, Inc.

Small Companies – 18th Place

Allied Collection Service, Inc. is an accounts receivable management business established in 1969 and based in Columbus, Ind. The company specializes in third party contingency recovery work in the medical sector.

Loyal employees are important to Allied, as management recognizes anniversaries with the firm and gives gifts on milestone occasions.

Employees are given ample opportunity to earn bonuses beyond their typical commission with monthly contests. The company also offers profit sharing bonuses and a 401(k) with company matching.