What Do Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks compile data, compute fees and charges, and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of computer or typewriter, calculator, and adding and bookkeeping machines. They also verify accuracy of billing data and revise any errors.

Other tasks include:

• Prepare itemized statements, bills, or invoices and record amounts due for items purchased or services rendered.
• Perform bookkeeping work, including posting data or keeping other records concerning costs of goods or services or the shipment of goods.
• Operate typing, adding, calculating, or billing machines.
• Answer mail or telephone inquiries regarding rates, routing, or procedures.
• Resolve discrepancies in accounting records.
• Type billing documents, shipping labels, credit memorandums, or credit forms, using typewriters or computers.

We asked Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 50% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks operate typing, adding, calculating, or billing machines. They keep records of invoices and support documents.

A typical day for a Billing, Cost and Rate Clerk will also include:

• Consult sources, such as rate books, manuals, or insurance company representatives, to determine specific charges or information such as rules, regulations, or government tax and tariff information.
• Perform bookkeeping work, including posting data or keeping other records concerning costs of goods or services or the shipment of goods.
• Compute credit terms, discounts, shipment charges, or rates for goods or services to complete billing documents.
• Type billing documents, shipping labels, credit memorandums, or credit forms, using typewriters or computers.
• Verify accuracy of billing data and revise any errors.

We asked some Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	93% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	38% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	51% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	42% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	28% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	65% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks also review compiled data on operating costs and revenues to set rates. They may also contact customers to obtain or relay account information.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks Review documents, such as purchase orders, sales tickets, charge slips, or hospital records, to compute fees or charges due. They might also Compile reports of cost factors, such as labor, production, storage, or equipment.

In addition, they Resolve discrepancies in accounting records.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Answer mail or telephone inquiries regarding rates, routing, or procedures.

To some Billing, Cost and Rate Clerks, it is also their responsibility to Prepare itemized statements, bills, or invoices and record amounts due for items purchased or services rendered.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Billing, Cost and Rate Clerk, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/office-and-administrative-support/financial-clerks.htm

http://www.aba.com/

https://www.mba.org/