Access Receivables Management, a leading provider of commercial and consumer debt collection services nationwide, announced today that it has purchased certain strategic assets of Baltimore Credit and Collection Services, Inc. (BCCS), a Maryland based company specialized in domestic and international commercial debt collection. This strategic move aims to expand the Access commercial portfolio domestically and internationally. It will provide BCCS clientele with expanded service offerings and capitalize on the combined expertise and vision the companies share.

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Wales St. Aubrey, TX – November 12, 2025 – The CEO Views has honored ACCESS Receivables Management, a leading full-service collection agency, as one of the ‘Most Influential Companies of the Year 2025.’ This recognition celebrates ACCESS’s exceptional performance in account recovery and its commitment to innovation, compliance, and client partnership.

For over 25 years, ACCESS has evolved to meet the changing needs of clients and debtors, expanding from traditional consumer and commercial collections into specialized areas such as government, telecommunications, higher education, and commercial insurance recovery. Under the visionary leadership of Debbie Gillespie, CEO, and Tom Gillespie, President, the company has built a reputation for ethical practices, advanced technology, and results-driven strategies.

‘Our core objectives are to deliver strong recovery results, provide exceptional client service, and maintain the highest standards of compliance and professionalism—all while treating debtors with dignity and respect,’ said Debbie Gillespie.

Tom Gillespie, President of ACCESS Receivables Management, added: ‘Along the way, we have invested in advanced technology, compliance-driven strategies, national recruiting, and constant training. The result is a team focused on winning and delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.’

ACCESS differentiates itself through:
• Technology-Driven Solutions: Leveraging data analytics, secure digital communication, and automated workflows to maximize recovery rates.
• Client Transparency: Offering real-time reporting and advanced analytics through one of the industry’s first client portals.
• Compliance & Security: Implementing multi-layered data security measures, regular audits, and strict adherence to industry standards.

Looking ahead, ACCESS plans to expand into additional government programs and integrate artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and results. These initiatives position ACCESS as a trusted and influential leader in the debt collection industry.

About ACCESS Receivables Management: ACCESS is a full-service collection agency specializing in commercial, consumer, government, telecommunications, and higher education accounts. Its services range from early-stage collections to legal recovery, ensuring maximum recoveries while safeguarding client relationships.

About The CEO Views: The CEO Views is a print and digital magazine that provides a platform for entrepreneurs to connect with industry peers and explore innovations shaping today’s technology landscape.

HUNT VALLEY, MD, UNITED STATES, September 29, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Access Receivables Management, a premier partner in the debt collection industry, is proud to announce its recognition as a "Top Debt Collection Service for 2025" by Financial Services Review. This esteemed acknowledgment highlights the company’s leadership in innovation, compliance, and client partnership, coinciding with its quarter-century legacy. Founded in 1999, Access has consistently championed ethical practices, client-centric service, and a culture of transparency, redefining the collections landscape. Further underscoring its influence, CEO and President Debbie and Tom Gillespie were recently honored in The CEO Views as one of the Most Influential Companies to Watch 2025.

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In today’s extensively dynamic financial industry, operational excellence is often achieved through task delegation. Collecting debts is one of the crucial tasks that many financial institutions delegate to collection agencies to ensure the timely and transparent collection of due payments from the debtors. These agencies play an instrumental role in maintaining the financial health of lenders and banking enterprises by ensuring consistent cash flow and minimizing losses.

With the recovery of outstanding debts, the collection agencies provide efficient negotiation, legal compliance, and specialized expertise to help banking businesses focus on their core operations. By acting as a mediator between creditors and debtors, collection agencies contribute to the maintenance of the financial ecosystem.

The idea of creating a client-focused, accessible, and transparent collection agency led to the inception of ACCESS Receivables Management. ACCESS enabled its clients to view activity, track progress, and place their accounts easily as one of the industry’s first client portals. Focus on innovation, transparency, and client empowerment remained a core principle of ACCESS as the company flourished and evolved over the past 25 years. The CEO Views honors this accomplishment of the company and awards it with the title of ‘Most Influential Companies to Watch 2025.’

An Evolution of 25 Years
Since its establishment over 25 years ago, ACCESS has continually evolved to address the changing needs of clients and debtors. What started as a traditional collection agency focused on consumer and commercial accounts has expanded into commercial insurance, government, higher education, and telecommunications recovery. A commitment to innovation and client partnership has shaped the growth of ACCESS.

The company has adopted secure digital communication tools, data analytics, and omnichannel outreach strategies to improve recovery rates while maintaining a positive customer experience. By coupling expertise with adaptability, ACCESS has built a reputation as a trusted partner for organizations seeking reliable, ethical, and results-driven collection solutions.

ACCESS: A Full-Service Collection Agency
ACCESS is a full-service collection agency that specializes in consumer, commercial, government, higher education, and telecommunications accounts. “Our core objectives are to deliver strong recovery results, provide exceptional client service, and maintain the highest standards of compliance and professionalism, all while treating debtors with dignity and respect,” proudly shared Debbie Gillespie, CEO of ACCESS.

Service Offerings of ACCESS
The collection agency offers a range of services, from early-stage collections to legal recovery. Whenever necessary, it also provides a suite of solutions designed to maximize recoveries while safeguarding client relationships and reputations. ACCESS handled 1st party collections in both commercial and consumer collections. Access assists clients who wish to secure a payment legally. It hires an attorney and acts as a liaison between the client and the attorney as the file moves through the legal process.

The company has an experienced team that excels at handling everything while protecting client relationships and reputations. ACCESS’s technology-driven approach ensures every account is managed efficiently and securely. Clients benefit from full transparency into performance and outcomes, from advanced analytics to real-time reporting.

Purpose-Driven Strategies
ACCESS competes by combining advanced technology, data-driven strategies, and personalized client service. The collection agency leverages analytics and omni-channel communication to maximize recovery, while maintaining a strong compliance program that ensures ethical and transparent practices. Its adaptability, industry expertise, and client-focused approach consistently deliver results in a competitive market.

Scalable and Fortified Data Security
ACCESS prioritizes the security of its data to ensure uninterrupted, transparent, and secure accessibility to clients’ accounts. It ensures the security of its data and hardware through a multi-layered approach, including encrypted systems, secure networks, and access controls. Regular audits, staff training, and adherence to industry compliance standards reinforce ACCESS’s safeguards. These measures enable the company to protect sensitive client and debtor information while maintaining scalable and reliable operations.

Standing Out in Market Competition
ACCESS differentiates itself through a balance of results, compliance, and customer care. As articulated by Debbie Gillespie, “Our competitive advantages include over 25 years of proven experience, a highly trained and adaptable team, and the use of modern technology to improve efficiency and transparency.” By combining strong recovery performance with ethical practices and exceptional client service, ACCESS stands out as a trusted collection partner in the industry.

A Tech-Driven Debt Collection Service
Technology is at the core of ACCESS’s debt collection services. By leveraging data analytics, it collects and analyzes clients' and debtors’ lending and debt information to better serve their purpose. Using secure digital communication tools, it seamlessly connects with clients and debtors. Through automated workflows, it streamlines the collection process while maintaining compliance and transparency. These technological approaches allow ACCESS to maximize recoveries and deliver consistent, high-quality service to its commercial clients.

As an Influential Company
ACCESS influences industry standards by consistently modelling ethical, compliant, and results-driven practices. It sets benchmarks for professionalism and effectiveness through staff training, transparent client communication, and the adoption of advanced technologies. ACCESS’s long-standing reputation and commitment to best practices position it as a trusted and influential leader in the debt collection industry.

A Future of Expansion and Beyond
ACCESS plans to flourish by expanding into more government accounts, including potential federal programs. The agency is embracing remote work, along with advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, to enhance efficiency and results. These initiatives position ACCESS to stay ahead in the industry while continuing to deliver exceptional service to its clients.

Walk into the offices of Access Receivables Management, and it's immediately clear: this is not your typical collections agency. Here, there are no cold calculations, no dispassionate call centers. Instead, there's a palpable sense of purpose-a shared understanding that success is measured not just in dollars recovered, but in trust earned and relationships built.

Since opening its doors in 1999, Access Receivables Management has rewritten the narrative around debt collection. Built on the simple but powerful idea that clients deserve full, unfettered access to their information, the company has grown into a trusted partner for a wide range of industries.

Its client portal-offering real-time visibility into accounts- stands as a symbol of that commitment. In fact, the founders chose the name "Access" to underscore the company's philosophy: transparency is not an add-on-it's the foundation.

Today, leading the charge are Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rae Lockard, Vice President of Operations Tim DePetris, Administrative Manager Melissa Lintz, and Vice President of Finance Tillesa Coleman. Together, they have created a workplace and client experience that elevate Access beyond the traditional image of a debt collection agency.

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As the owner and President of one of the largest collection companies specializing in HR collections, I see the growing problem of HR debt. HR debt is becoming the fastest growing segment of our business and a significant problem for larger companies that have thousands of remote workers.

In 2024, full-time remote office workers now comprise 35% of the total workforce and 58% of workers now have at least part-time remote capabilities. Companies are now getting pushbacks when attempting to get employees back to the office. Let’s face it, remote working provides many benefits for the employee and looks like it is here to stay.

This also means that there are significant company assets distributed to employees that need to be returned in cases of termination or resignation. Getting that equipment back has become a large undertaking for HR departments. The employee may also owe you restitution for company loans, tuition reimbursement, unearned bonuses, misuse of company credit cards and more. Since remote working is now becoming more of a norm, how do you ensure you can obtain equipment back and collect these amounts from the employee upon termination?

There are specific laws in many states regarding what an employer can and cannot do relating to a final paycheck. Typically, you may not withhold the final paycheck while waiting for an employee to return company property. That said, the employer has rights, as well.

Although an employer may not deduct equipment costs or other outstanding amounts from an employee’s final paycheck, they can pursue the individual to pay the amounts owed including placing those amounts for collection with a professional debt collector or taking the former employee to small claims court if they do not return the equipment or pay the debt. Access Receivables created a unique collection program 10 years ago to address former employees who owe money at the time of termination which specializes in these types of debts. The key to success in collections is to act quickly. The best time to get your equipment back is on the day of termination. Failing a physical meeting, getting your equipment back within 15 days should be the goal. Although you cannot deduct anything from a final paycheck, you should make it clear that not returning equipment is theft of company property and that you will take steps to collect any amounts that result from their lack of compliance.

Your legal department should provide you with final equipment return forms. These forms should have a stated value and the employee should be required to sign them during the onboarding process. This helps you to have something in writing in case of default and a stated value of the equipment.

In the final analysis, getting your equipment back and collecting money owed by former employees requires good procedures and good execution of those procedures. If you are unsuccessful in getting reimbursed and/or getting your equipment back in a timely fashion, consider outsourcing this to a professional.

5/1/2024 – Hunt Valley, Maryland

Access is pleased to announce it has completed its SOC I Type II Certification and its’ SOC II Type II certification for 2024. Tom Gillespie, President stated, “Data security and strong internal controls are tantamount it today’s business. We deal with highly sensitive client data and must have strong systems, firewalls, data encryption, and constant testing in place to ensure that clients can have strong confidence in us. Our SOC certifications demonstrate our commitment to continual focus on security”.

There are two main types of SOC compliance: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 attests to an organization's use of compliant systems and processes at a specific point in time. Conversely, Type 2 is an attestation of compliance over a period (usually 12 months). Access is certified under Type 2.

The SOC 1 Type 2 audit report includes a detailed description of the service organization's system, financial controls in place, and the auditor's opinion on the operating effectiveness of these controls. Access is certified under SOC I TYPE II as well.

These certifications also consider PCI/DSS compliance, HIPPA, data encryption, systems reliability, SSL Encryption and all policies and procedures.

Rae Lockard, Chief Operating Officer said; “When selecting a collection vendor, security must be at the top of the list for consideration. We want our clients to know that we treat their data with extreme care and continually bolster our systems and processes to provide the most secure experience possible.

Access Receivables is a national debt collection agency based in Hunt Valley, Maryland with satellite offices in Naples Florida and Lancaster Pennsylvania.

Have you given any thought to setting realistic goals for collection agencies that you entrust to collect your overdue accounts? Only about 10 percent of the creditors I have worked with over the years set agency goals, and I have worked with hundreds of creditors, large and small, over three decades.

Sometimes a client wants a collection goal, but everything seems to be a secret. “Beat the other guy and don’t get me in trouble,” is not necessarily the best plan of attack.

This article will give you some suggestions on ways to set recovery goals and return more dollars to the bottom line in the process. Increasing collections is one of the best ways to increase your company’s bottom line.

Every agency should know the answer to the following questions, and they should sign a confidentiality agreement in advance (this also helps you to get the best possible pricing):

• How many dollars you expect to place monthly by division, product or total. What's my opportunity?
• Average balance per account, by segment of business. How much effort can I afford to put forth on an account?
• Historic recovery rates of your best performers. What is my initial goal to exceed?

Net Recoveries and Other Evaluation Factors

Once the agency has provided the answers to these questions, it is time to get together and set some goals.

What percentage of recovery do you feel is realistic to expect? Recoveries will vary based on the age of the account at placement, demographics, balance and type of debt. Make sure your split of business is fair. Giving one agency the West Coast and another the East Coast provides built-in excuses.

Apples-to-apples is the best way, if possible, to evaluate your agencies. Professional handling, expertise, administrative efficiency and consistent effort are also key items that make the difference between great collection vendors versus average performers.

It is all about the agency’s commitment to treat you as special and go the extra mile. Every agency sales rep says he/she will treat you as special, but are your placements (agency opportunity) 3 percent or more of their total placements? You will get more attention if you are among their top 50 clients.

With regard to effort, every agency will collect the easy accounts (blind squirrel). Professional effort means collections without complaints. Expertise is knowledge of your industry, your debt, internal training, turnover and quality of staff.

Regular Communication

I have worked with many savvy creditors over the years. The successful ones tend to have a few things in common. The most important quality is communication.

They typically have regular meetings, teleconferences and even occasional face-to-face agency conferences.

They use these opportunities to explain their corporate vision, collection goals, and obtain buy-in from the vendors.

Nothing makes a collection agency executive more driven than to sit across the table from a competitor. At such a meeting, you should share masked results (without naming names).

Savvy creditors also update the results consistently and publish the updated analysis regularly so that every agency knows how they are performing in relation to the competition. Typically, the water level rises for everyone. The bottom performer will scurry to improve their results and your best agency will fight to maintain the first position.

10 Steps for Success

There are some great companies in the collection business and you only want great companies representing you. Following are 10 actions you can take now to obtain the highest possible return without complaints:

1. Have a conference call with your agencies. Ask them for an annual percentage goal for the coming year based on some expected placement amount, and track to that goal.
2. Give them some sort of bonus at the end of the period if they hit that goal. If they consistently miss your target and are low performers, reduce placements or move on.
3. Give them a goal for lower complaints and review complaints received, including listening to the debtor phone calls, if available.
4. Seed your placements periodically with a few bogus accounts at varying dollar values quarterly to make sure letters go out on time and phone calls
are being made. Have the contact information going back to someone on your staff who can track the activity in a spreadsheet. 5. Pay off a small account periodically to make sure the money is remitted properly and on time.
6. One way a dishonest agency will work the numbers is by billing you for direct payments that were never paid. Make sure you have a strong internal reconciliation process.
7. Encourage your agencies to provide you with feedback on your receivables and involve the collectors who handle your accounts. You can learn a lot from your agency about ways to improve internal procedures. I have often told clients that the best way to have quality control is to evaluate the customers who did not pay.
8. If your company has promotional items, send a few to the agency to distribute to their people. Get the agency collector on your team.
9. Run an agency contest periodically during tough months. Establish a champion-challenger program where you continually allocate business based on results.
10. Share information with your agency. Explain your vision and allow them to be a partner to your organization. Ask for their thoughts on new ideas and methods for success.

Tom Gillespie is President of Access Receivables, which has been designated a Certified Commercial Collection Agency by the International Association of Commercial Collectors, Inc. (IACC).

published July 19, 2023 by the Institute for Finance and Management  - Click here to view >