Took a year to collect fine (4)
I believe the answer is:
okay
'fine' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'took a year to collect' is the wordplay.
'to collect' indicates a hidden word (I've seen 'collecting' mean this).
'OKAY' can be found hidden inside 'took a year'.
(Other definitions for okay that I've seen before include "Satisfactory; permissible" , "All right; sanction" , "Alright" , "Not terrific but acceptable" , "Informally, all right" .)