How to Answer: How do you handle an insufficient funds notice after trying to process a customer payment?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Accounts Receivable Specialist job interview.
26. How do you handle an insufficient funds notice after trying to process a customer payment?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know how you handle uncomfortable customer situations. Show the interviewer that, despite the position you're in being awkward, you can stay calm, cool and respectful while following company procedures. Keep in mind that most customers have great intentions, and odds are, they just made a mistake.
Written by Bobbi Witt on January 7th, 2019
Entry Level
"A bounced client payment has only happened to me once, and I started by calling the company directly. I learned that the client accidentally paid the invoice with a check from a closed account. They apologized for any inconvenience and sent another payment right away. We run credit checks on our clients who pay Net 30 or longer, which is why this is generally not an issue in my current role."
Written by Bobbi Witt on January 7th, 2019
Answer Example
"In my current role, we have processes and procedures in place to handle this type of scenario. In my case, I will call the customer directly and be casual about it, on the first call. In all my years of working, I have only had this happened a handful of times, and typically there is a logical explanation like the customer had a check bounce from someone, used the wrong check from a closed account, or their credit card expired, and they were unaware. When you are friendly with customers, they will always find a way to repair the situation as soon as possible."
Written by Bobbi Witt on January 7th, 2019
Experience
"In most cases the business will have a processes and procedures in place to handle this type of scenario. In my experience most managers, normally call the customers manager as well. In all my years of working, I have only had this happened a handful of times and normally there is a logical explanation: fraud, customer had a check bound from someone, used wrong checks from a closed account, stop payment, and also just not enough funds in the bank."
Written by Bobbi Witt on July 24th, 2018