Training Your Staff in Billing, Part 2

In our last blog, we talked about two ways you can train your staff in billing matters. Here are two MORE ways you should keep them in the loop with billing:

Protect Sensitive Data

Your billing files contain a goldmine of sensitive information — business account numbers, bank details, social security numbers, and more. State and federal laws require you to protect that data, and your team needs to know what those obligations are. Train staff on proper data handling, set clear protocols for document storage and destruction, and provide enough supervision to make sure those protocols are followed. A data breach doesn't just hurt your customers, it can hurt your reputation and your bottom line.

Make Training an Ongoing Process

One training session isn't enough. Billing systems evolve, regulations change, and new employees come on board. Build a culture where billing training is revisited regularly. This can be through short team huddles, updated documentation, or periodic audits of billing accuracy. Your staff will be more confident, and your customers will notice the attention to detail.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need Help with Debt Collection in Michigan?

Even with the best training, sometimes you need backup. 

Let our Michigan-based debt collectors handle the work for you! To get more information and determine your next move, fill out our contact form or call us at 248-645-2440. We look forward to helping you collect what you’re owed!

Training Your Staff in Billing, Part 1

Billing might not be the most glamorous part of running a business, but it's one of the most critical. 

So how do you build a billing team that's accurate, professional, and compliant? Here are a few key areas to focus on.

Start with Accuracy

The best billing system in the world is only as good as the data that goes into it. Errors, ambiguities, and omissions create confusion and can turn a straightforward invoice into a collection headache. Train your team to double-check every entry before hitting submit. A good billing system isn't one that never makes mistakes — it's one that catches and corrects them quickly, with courteous, well-documented adjustments like credit and debit memos.

Always Use the Right Forms

It's a small thing, but mixing up forms causes big confusion. A customer who returns merchandise expects to see a credit on their statement, not a debit. If your data entry team grabs the wrong form, the customer gets confused, your phone rings, and trust takes a small hit. Make sure everyone on your staff understands what each form does and how it fits into the overall billing workflow. A quick reference card or a monthly refresher can go a long way.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need Help with Debt Collection in Michigan?

Even with the best training, sometimes you need backup. 

Let our Michigan-based debt collectors handle the work for you! To get more information and determine your next move, fill out our contact form or call us at 248-645-2440. We look forward to helping you collect what you’re owed!

Getting Collection Leads from Third Parties

Think about third parties who may owe money to your debtor. These are often overlooked but can be
valuable sources of collection. Consider:

• Accounts receivable — customers or clients who owe the debtor money for goods or services
• Tenants — anyone who rents property from the debtor and may owe rent
• Insurance companies — claims payouts the debtor may be entitled to, such as fire damage, flood losses, or auto accident settlements
• State taxing authorities — tax refunds owed to the debtor (where permitted by state law; federal tax refunds are currently off limits)
• Purchasers of the debtor's business — anyone who bought the debtor's business and still owes money on the purchase

Include anything that appears to be a possible source of money. If you can identify enough assets to feel reasonably confident you'll be able to collect, great. If not, consider scheduling a creditor's examination — a formal court proceeding where the debtor must appear and disclose their assets under oath.

Even small or unexpected assets can add up. A partial collection is still a collection.

Learn more in our latest article.

Need More Support? Call Collection Services in Michigan

If you need help tracking down assets or enforcing a judgment, our lawyers can guide you through every step of the process. Get started with our Michigan collection services by calling (248) 645-2440 or by submitting a contact form here.

Building an Effective Asset List

Winning a judgment in court is a major step — but it's only half the battle. If your debtor isn't paying
voluntarily, you need to locate and pursue their assets to actually collect what you're owed. Once you have a clear picture of their assets, you can move forward with strong collection actions like wage garnishment, bank levies, and "execution" (the legal seizure and sale of a debtor's property).

Building an effective asset list doesn't have to start from scratch. Begin by scouring your own collections file for information you may already have about the debtor, including:

• Home and business addresses
• Bank names and account details (checking, savings, and business accounts)
• Information about significant assets, such as real estate, vehicles, boats, and recreational vehicles
• Place of employment (if the debtor is an individual)
• Professional licenses or business ownership interests
• Any known safety deposit boxes

Learn more in our latest article.

Need More Support? Call Collection Services in Michigan

If you need help tracking down assets or enforcing a judgment, our lawyers can guide you through every step of the process. Get started with our Michigan collection services by calling (248) 645-2440 or by submitting a contact form here.

Don't Forget Debit Memos

Suppose a customer submits a payment that's $100 short — maybe they took an unauthorized discount
or overlooked part of the balance. Just as credits should be documented, so should shortages.

Prepare a debit memo showing:

• The invoice involved
• The amount still owed
• The reason for the adjustment
• The date the shortage was identified

This creates a complete account record and ensures the customer understands how the outstanding balance was calculated.

Avoid Unexplained Entries

One of the most common mistakes businesses make is posting adjustments without sufficient explanation. Every item on a statement should be supported by documentation. If an adjustment can't be explained and verified, it may be difficult — or impossible — to enforce later. Unexplained entries also damage your credibility. Customers are far more likely to challenge invoices when records appear incomplete or disorganized. Good documentation builds trust while protecting your legal rights.

Learn more in our latest article.

We’re Your Michigan Collection Company!

Our Michigan collection company has offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we represent clients throughout Michigan and assist creditors across the United States and around the world. If you're dealing with unpaid accounts, disputed balances, or difficult collection matters, contact us at (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form to discuss your options. We're here to help you pursue the money you're owed — efficiently, ethically, and effectively.

Why Documents Matter

Every transaction involves orders, shipments, payments, credits, and adjustments — and each should be
documented promptly. Without proper records, even minor discrepancies can become major collection issues. Customers forget details, employees leave, and memories fade. Written documentation preserves the facts long after the transaction occurs. In most disputes, the party with the most complete records is in the strongest position.

A Common Example

Say a customer buys $500 worth of paper plates, but $100 worth arrive damaged. Your sales agreement says the customer assumes risk once goods are delivered to the carrier — meaning they file the claim if damage happens in transit. But if an investigation shows the damage occurred before the plates left your warehouse, your company owes a $100 credit.

The proper response is to create a credit memo immediately, clearly identifying:

• The damaged products
• The amount being credited
• The date of the adjustment
• The related invoice number
• Any supporting notes explaining the reason

Enter the credit into your accounting system without delay so it appears accurately on the customer's statement.

Learn more in our latest article.

We’re Your Michigan Collection Company!

Our Michigan collection company has offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we represent clients throughout Michigan and assist creditors across the United States and around the world. If you're dealing with unpaid accounts, disputed balances, or difficult collection matters, contact us at (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form to discuss your options. We're here to help you pursue the money you're owed — efficiently, ethically, and effectively.

Voluntary vs Involuntary Bankruptcy

Do you know the difference between voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy? 

Some bankruptcies are filed by creditors who gang up on the debtor when payments to those creditors are substantially delinquent. This is referred to as an “involuntary petition.” On the other hand, when the debtor files a petition for bankruptcy, that’s considered “voluntary.” Involuntary bankruptcy can occur under Chapters 7 and 11, but not under Chapter 13.

Learn more in our latest article.

Creditors Can Trust Michigan Collection Services

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to ethically pursuing the money you’re owed. With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country. To make use of our Michigan collection services, call (248) 645-2440 or submit a contact form for an effective resolution to your collection matters.