With a mission to support members through education and advocacy, ACA International provides a multitude of resources for collection professionals through the organization’s 2018 schedule of events. ACA International presents specialized educational content for industry representatives of all position levels from small to large-scale operations serving healthcare, retail, financial services and more. To improve individual and company performance, collection professionals can attend ACA’s dynamic events and complete one or more of the following trainings and sessions.
Special Events
Each ACA International event offers compelling seminars. Participants can earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) for both online and face-to-face education. Credits may apply toward one or more of ACA’s seven designations and or Scholar and Fellow designations.
Scheduled for January 16 – 19 in Colorado, the 2018 ACA International Leadership Symposium attracts industry leaders located across the U.S. The annual meeting invites ACA members to connect with peers and exchange knowledge in a small group setting.
The largest collection industry event of the year, ACA International Annual Convention & Expo, draws professionals from around the globe. Expert led sessions and special events offer attendees the chance to review standard practices, learn new approaches and strategies, and discover the latest technology and services. The convention is set for July 23 – 25 in Nashville, Tennessee and is currently accepting presentation proposals.
Closed group events consist of Committee of 100 (February 17 – 20) and the ACA of Texas’ 70th Annual Conference & Southwest Exposition (May 7 – 9) for ACA of Texas members.
Core Curriculum Series for Collection Professionals
ACA Certified instructors present 18 online seminars from January to March. Courses are open to non-members and serve to expand regulatory and management knowledge. Collection professionals may attend seminars for training, certification or individual skill development.
Introduction to Collection Industry Compliance (January 16 – 17) presents a step-by-step guide to developing a compliance management system. Key points include the importance, evaluation and planning of a compliance management system along with drafting job descriptions for team members. Using ACA’s compliance checklist, attendees will finish the course with an individual plan outline.
On January 23 – 26, Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations will outline current CFPB regulations and equip professionals with the tools to audit a company’s compliance management system. Participants will complete the Risk Assessment Template, determine entities impacted by the CFPB and compare the CFPB’s compliance priorities.
Professionals who furnish data for consumer reports can attend Duties of Data Furnishers Under the FCRA. Upon completion, participants will possess the skills to incorporate FDCRA and Regulation V into their Compliance Management System (CRM), expertly respond to and identity theft and fraud, distinguish between Direct and CRA “dispute investigation requirements,” and legally obtain consumer reports. The seminar will take place February 20.
The interactive, scenario-based seminar FDCPA Essentials for Collectors will train collectors on FDCPA compliance regarding consumer phone calls on February 21 – 22. In addition to understanding the consequences of FDCPA violations, collectors will learn how to respond to a third party and reduce liabilities during conversations with consumers.
According to ACA, “a key component of a compliance management system is creating and implementing the most effective remediation plans to mitigate your compliance risks.” Advanced Compliance: Controls and Corrective Actions (February 22) shows participants how to identify effective controls and explains crucial plan elements — actions, ownership, accountability and timing. Individualized control and corrective action templates will assist professionals in successfully conducting remediation project plans.
Review the essential components of policies and procedures for compliance management systems in Writing Effective Policies and Procedures on March 6. Based on needs, attendees can implement specific course examples in company policies.
A sampling of additional seminars for collection professionals include:
- Exceptional Leadership (January 18)
- Managing the Collection Floor (February 6)
- Ethical and Professional Collections
- Data Security and Privacy I (March 19) and Data Security and Privacy II (March 21)
Reaching Collection Goals
Optio Solutions is a best-in-class debt collection agency serving industries such as financial services, retail, education and healthcare. As part of its commitment to full legal compliance, Optio operates with several CCCO certified staff members including the legal team, a handful of managers and collectors who have completed the required coursework:
- Advanced Compliance: Conducting a Risk Assessment
- Advanced Compliance: Controls and Corrective Actions
- Data Security and Privacy I
- Ethical and Professional Collections
- Advanced FDCPA Issues
- Duties of Data Furnishers Under the FCRA
- Understanding and Responding to the CFPB’s Expectations
- Writing Effective Policies and Procedures
Optio’s Credit and Collection Compliance Officers conduct compliance training for new hires and mandatory monthly meetings focused on one or more sections of the FDCPA, changes and or updates and a review of the previous month’s audit results. In addition, our agency possesses certification in SSAE 16 SOC I Type II audited financial reporting and ACA International’s Professional Practices Management System.
Organizations interested in replacing an existing agency or transferring delinquent accounts to a third-party can contact Optio today to learn more.
