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How to become an Account Manager

Account Manager

Career progression and salary expectations for an Account Manager

1

Account Manager

| Up to £40,000
2

Account Director

| Up to £50,000
3

Marketing Manager

| Up to £60,000

The role of an Account Manager

Want to help people get the most out of your products? You should be an Account Manager…

Account Managers act as the first point of contact at a company for their clients, ensuring that they always receive the best service possible.

They’re usually found working within the sales or marketing department, and may be dedicated to a single account, or look after several as part of a portfolio. It all depends on the size of the client in question. And, by size, we mostly mean demands…

Typical duties for an Account Manager could include:

  • Liaising with clients’ and identifying their needs
  • Putting together proposals to suit their requirements
  • Chasing up client requests
  • Keeping clients updated on new business or product developments
  • Managing budgets and payments
  • Dealing with any issues or complaints from clients
To become a successful Account Manager, maintaining a good working relationship with your clients is absolutely essential. Especially if you’re a big fan of working towards commission.

It’s your job to make sure that the service they receive goes above and beyond their expectations, to help ensure their business keeps coming back. Excellent communication skills (see also: listening), not to mention an in-depth understanding of your clients’ key business objectives, are similarly vital.

Other key skills for an Account Manager could include:

  • Excellent negotiation skills
  • Financial acumen, and experience managing budgets
  • Self-discipline
  • Initiative
  • Confidence
  • The ability to work well under pressure
"I’ve always worked in sales, in some capacity, so being client facing wasn’t particularly new to me. But my favourite part of being an Account Manager is how dedicated you can be to the clients you represent. It’s my job to make sure that everyone I look after gets great service, and keeps on using our products. I’m almost like an extension of their business, more than ours. And aside from getting to know all my favourite clients through meetings, I get to wine-and-dine them too – and get paid for it. Whoever said there’s no such thing as a free lunch?"

Get qualified as an Account Manager

While a bachelor's degree in business-related fields like marketing or business administration is often preferred, it's not always a strict requirement. Gaining work experience and/or qualifications in sales, customer service, or account management can be a great way to stand out from the crowd, providing you with the necessary skills to build and maintain client relationships, understand customer needs, and negotiate contracts effectively.

Recommended Account management courses

  • Accounting and Finance Essentials for Managers - 30 Courses

    NextGen Learning
    30 CPD Certified Courses for 2024 | Free 30 PDF & A Hardcopy Certificate | Life Time Access | Limited Time Offer
    • Online
    • 115 hours · Self-paced
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 300 CPD points
    • Tutor support
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    Get ready for an exceptional online learning experience with the Accounting and Finance Essentials for Managers bundle! This carefully curated collection of 30 premium courses is designed to cater to a variety of interests and disciplines. Dive into a sea of knowledge and ski …
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  • Level 5 Diploma in Accounting and Finance - QLS Endorsed

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    10 QLS Endorsed Courses | 10 FREE QLS Endorsed Certificate included | Free Retake Exam | Lifetime Access
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    • 57 hours · Self-paced
    • Certificate(s) included
    • 60 CPD points
    • Tutor support
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    **10 FREE QLS Endorsed Certificates and Included with Lifetime Access** Welcome to a world where numbers tell stories, and financial success is not just a goal but a journey. Introducing our " Accounting and Finance - QLS Endorsed Bundle " —a meticulously crafted suite designed …
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