what is an account manager?

As an account manager, you are responsible for contacting the company's customers. You'll be the liaison between the clients and your fellow employees. A good account manager has a heart for the customer and business. Your job consists of caring for the needs and concerns of customers.

An account manager may be required to wear several hats. Your job requirements vary based on the client's needs at that time. You might need to be a salesperson, offer technical support, provide financial advice, or take on the role of a customer service representative. An account manager serves as a liaison between the customer, the sales department, and other departments and teams that impact the client's account. As an account manager, you ensure that the client stays satisfied and happy. At the same time, you also try to make sure that your employer gets a sizable return on the money they invested in acquiring the client.

A good account manager is not focused on selling a product or service. Their focus is on helping customers solve problems or achieve their goals. They must be able to communicate with staff, management, and customers. Account managers prioritize relationships over sales. They forgo short-term wins to foster long-term relationships.

Would working as an account manager suit your people skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an account manager role.

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average account manager salary

On average, the annual salary for an account manager is around $55,500. Most managers make between $21,000 and $151,000 per year. However, there is quite a bit of variation in how much money you will make. Keep in mind that this is simply the base salary though. Many account managers also get commissions or bonuses depending on how well they manage their accounts.

factors that affect your salary

Experience influences your salary significantly. At entry-level positions, earning commissions is hard since you have few clients and minimal skills to attract many customers. With more years of experience, you have the skills to attract more clients. The company size also influences your earning potential. For instance, a large business with multiple clients can afford to pay higher salaries than small start-ups with a limited product range. Working in urban locations also improves your salary prospects due to the high demand.

Wondering what you can earn as an account manager? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of an account manager is.

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female and male having a conversation
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types of account manager

There are two common types of account manager jobs you can choose from:

  • national account managers: They are responsible for coordinating internal and external stakeholders and cross-functional parties. Depending on their employer, national account managers take on quasi-general manager roles.
  • regional account managers: A regional account manager handles clients within a region. They focus on maintaining existing relationships with distributors and seek new sales opportunities. Regional account managers are the relay point between the company they work for and independent stores or distributors. They gather sales data, analyze trends, and provide feedback to the sales team.
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working as an account manager

Account managers build relationships with their employer's clients. You'll create liaisons between clients, executives, and stakeholders and deliver solutions to the customers promptly.

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account manager skills and education

Some of the educational qualifications of an account manager include:

  • high-school education: All account manager jobs require people to have at least a high-school degree or GED diploma. Without this degree, you won't be qualified for the position.
  • university: To become an account manager, you'll benefit from a bachelor's degree in a business-related course. You could pursue sales or marketing studies to gain a solid educational grounding in business careers. While a postgraduate isn't strictly necessary, it improves your chances of moving up the career ladder.
  • work experience: Being an account manager is a leadership role that requires prior experience in a similar position. You can start with internships in sales or customer service roles. Most jobs prefer that you work as an account executive before moving to an account manager role.
  • industry knowledge: Not all jobs will require industry-specific training. However, if you're working in healthcare, chemistry, or other highly technical fields, it might be useful. Your employer may prefer that you take a few classes or spend some time working in a relevant field.

skills and competencies

The qualities of an account manager include:

  • communication skills: As an account manager, you need to communicate well over the phone, via email, and across departments and teams. You should be comfortable addressing C-suite executives, managers, and sales reps. You should address clients professionally and maintain a good working relationship.
  • knowledge of the field: Knowledge about the company and customer expertise is very useful. As an account manager, you nurture relationships and need in-depth knowledge of the company and its customers. It also allows you to identify opportunities for growth that match the client's needs with the company's services.
  • ability to look ahead: A strategic perspective beyond short-term goals allows account managers to orchestrate long-term deals and relationships to create a mutually beneficial strategy. You need to prioritize long-term relationships over short-term rewards, which requires forward-thinking skills.
  • leadership skills: Leadership is necessary for account managers because they interact with many parts of the business. You need to show confidence and command respect from clients and co-workers. You also need to inspire sales representatives to improve lead generation.
  • negotiation skills: Negotiation skills help account managers sell products to customers. You should have a sense of timing, good presentation skills, and the confidence to know when to push and when to pull back.
female and male walking outside of buildings
female and male walking outside of buildings
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FAQs about working as an account manager

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about account managers.

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