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Collections Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$19.75 - $26.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

San Diego, CA · Hybrid

$19.75 - $26.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Apply Early

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

Palo Alto, CA · Hybrid

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Apply Early

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$20 - $27/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

Palo Alto, CA · On-site +1

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$19.75 - $26.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$20 - $27/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Apply Early

Naviga

Collections Specialist (Remote)

San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or ...

Innergy

Collections Specialist II

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$27.98 - $34.95/hr

... experience in collections, customer service, or a related financial field may be preferred ... The associate will spend most of the working time sitting, standing, or walking, including ...

LAPFCU

Collections Specialist II

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... experience in collections, customer service, or a related financial field may be preferred ... The associate will spend most of the working time sitting, standing, or walking, including ...

Apply Early

Innergy

Collections Specialist II

Van Nuys, CA · On-site

$19.25 - $26/hr

... experience in collections, customer service, or a related financial field may be preferred ... The associate will spend most of the working time sitting, standing, or walking, including ...

Innergy

Collections Specialist II

Van Nuys, CA

$19.25 - $26/hr

... experience in collections, customer service, or a related financial field may be preferred ... The associate will spend most of the working time sitting, standing, or walking, including ...

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All JobsCollections Associate JobsCollections Associate Jobs in California

Collections Associate information

See California salary details

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How much do collections associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for collections associate in California is $20.38, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Collections Associate typically collaborate with other departments to resolve outstanding accounts?

Collections Associates often work closely with teams such as customer service, billing, and sales to address and resolve outstanding accounts. They may coordinate with the billing department to ensure invoices are accurate, or with customer service to better understand client issues that may be impacting payments. Effective collaboration helps Collections Associates develop repayment plans that are satisfactory for both the company and the customer. This teamwork is essential for resolving disputes quickly and maintaining positive customer relationships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Collections Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Collections Associate, you need strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with collections software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and basic accounting tools is typically required. Excellent communication, patience, and resilience are vital soft skills for managing difficult conversations and maintaining professionalism. These abilities are crucial for effectively recovering outstanding debts while preserving customer relationships and adhering to legal and ethical standards.

What are Collections Associates?

Collections Associates are professionals responsible for contacting individuals or businesses to collect overdue payments on accounts. They typically work for banks, credit card companies, medical offices, or other organizations that extend credit. Their duties include negotiating repayment plans, updating account information, and resolving customer disputes regarding outstanding debts. Collections Associates must have strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as a good understanding of relevant laws and regulations.

What is the difference between Collections Associate vs Accounts Receivable Clerk?

AspectCollections AssociateAccounts Receivable Clerk
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; some roles prefer associate degree or relevant experienceHigh school diploma; some roles prefer associate degree or accounting coursework
Work EnvironmentOffice setting; interacting with clients and finance teamsOffice setting; processing invoices and managing accounts
Employer & Industry UsageFinancial institutions, healthcare, retailCorporate finance, accounting departments, small to large businesses
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles related to debt collection and customer accountsManaging incoming payments and account reconciliation

While both roles involve handling financial transactions, a Collections Associate primarily focuses on recovering overdue payments by contacting customers, whereas an Accounts Receivable Clerk manages invoicing, records payments, and maintains account accuracy. Both positions require strong communication skills and attention to detail, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and daily tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Collections jobs in California? The most popular types of Collections jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Collections Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Collections Associate job openings:
Collections Associate jobs near you
Collections Specialist (Remote)

Collections Specialist (Remote)

Naviga

San Diego, CA • Hybrid

$19.75 - $26.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

About Our ClientOur client is one of the world's largest and most recognized legal services firms, ranking #3 globally and #2 in the United States. Established in 2005, the firm has grown to a multi-billion dollar operation with over 10,000 employees globally across more than 40 countries. They are deeply committed to investing in their professionals through comprehensive talent management strategies that build core leadership, professional excellence, and interpersonal effectiveness. The firm boasts a collaborative corporate culture centered around high professional standards and cross-functional support.The OpportunityThis is an exceptional opportunity to join a highly respected global firm supporting a newly expanded and rapidly growing business unit in Northern California. Working as a Collections Specialist, you will gain direct visibility into firm leadership and work closely with attorneys, billing professionals, and accounting managers. This role supports a streamlined interview process with an active hiring team looking to onboard talent quickly.The LocationThis position can sitwithin a commutable distance from the Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, or San Diego offices. This is a remote work environment with occasional in-office visits based on critical business needs, team collaboration, month-end close, or year-end activities.What You Will Do
  • Client Onboarding Support: Assist in gathering required financial documentation, creating new client profiles, and ensuring complete alignment with standard onboarding compliance procedures.
  • Payment Processing & Research: Handle credit card transactions, verify payment entries, research discrepancies, and track missing transactions by coordinating directly with internal teams and clients.
  • Report Generation: Run and analyze detailed reports relating to outstanding balances, firm collections activities, and financial transactions to provide actionable insights for leadership.
  • Vendor Forms & Account Administration: Complete and process vendor forms accurately against company policies and manage overpayment documentation via expense systems (Chrome River) to issue client refunds.
  • Management Support: Partner closely with Collections Managers, offering administrative assistance, managing critical client account files, and handling client objections smoothly.
90-Day Success Roadmap
  • First 30 Days: Complete in-house system training, familiarize yourself with firm compliance guidelines, and begin managing client onboarding documentation.
  • 60 Days: Transition into fully processing daily credit card transactions, analyzing weekly aging reports, and resolving standard payment discrepancies independently.
  • 90 Days: Confidently manage the full lifecycle of specialized collections accounts, effectively navigate client objections, and seamlessly support month-end close alongside the accounting operations group.
Who You Are
  • Experienced Financial Professional: You possess a high school diploma or GED (Associate's degree preferred) along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in a professional accounting role focused on collections, accounts receivable, or financial administration.
  • Legal Industry Savvy: You have required prior billing and collections experience specifically within a law firm environment, bringing a strong familiarity with supporting attorneys and managing legal billing structures.
  • Technical System Proficient: You hold intermediate-level skills in MS Word and Excel. Technical familiarity with industry-standard accounting tools like Aderant, Chrome River, Workday, PayPal, or ARCS is highly preferred.
  • Excellent Communicator: You possess top-tier verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact professionally with firm partners, clients, and corporate business professionals under deadline pressure.
The Ideal Candidate stands out through an established track record of strong career stability, longevity, and professional progression within a law firm landscape. You are someone who thrives independently in a remote environment while maintaining an absolute focus on accuracy and premium customer service.Flexibility & Work-Life Integration
  • Schedule Control: Enjoy a standard, predictable business schedule (such as 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM) featuring a structured lunch break.
  • True Hybrid/Remote Flexibility: This is not a restrictive, rigid weekly in-office requirement. The position operates primarily from home with office visits targeted intentionally around peak periods, key milestones, or specific collaborative needs.
  • Peak Period Adjustments: While hours are regular, flexibility is needed to support occasional additional coverage requirements during firm month-end and year-end close cycles.
Why Join the Team?Our client offers a highly competitive compensation structure, with an expected hiring range based on experience and qualification level. In addition to premium hourly compensation with overtime eligibility, the firm provides a comprehensive corporate benefits package including excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance along with a corporate 401(k) plan. This role grants you the freedom of remote work backed by the global stability and prestige of a top-tier legal industry leader.
________________________________________About Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search

Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search is a leading provider of Contingent Workforce Solutions, Executive Search, Leadership and Individual Contributor hiring, empowering businesses to achieve their strategic objectives through expert talent acquisition. Our specialties include sales, marketing, finance/accounting and operations hiring. With a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of market trends, Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search helps organizations build high-performing teams and navigate complex workforce challenges. Naviga Recruiting & Executive Search specializes in U.S. Hiring for Global Businesses.

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