An account manager has a host of responsibilities under his nose. He is involved sometimes in leading the activities of project management. He handles account portfolios of myriad clients that of course depend on the size of the company and business status. He conducts training to junior members in the account team, guide them in their work and listen to their problems. He oversees the performance of other account executives thereby ensuring that all actions taken by the accounts team are for the profit of the business house. He acts as a medium between the customer services and sales departments within a company. He performs necessary duties to maintain the company's existing relationship with a client or group of clients to ensure the flow of business from those quarters. He also identifies potential new clients and business opportunities and persuades and acquires them. Account managers also work with clients to know their needs and figure out the ways that the company can employ to fulfill the requirements in the best possible way.
Concerning the working hours for sales account managers, these can sometimes be extended due to work pressure, although working on weekends is usually rare. In fact, the working span for a sales account manager is usually 9 hours a day. The job is usually office based; however they may have to travel sometimes to communicate with clients.
The accounts mangers are highly in demand in the advertising industry. This industry is very competitive and most advertising companies will expect the candidates to be well qualified with a bachelor's degree in fields like business and management, media and communication studies, statistical research, marketing, and advertising. One can browse the various educational websites to know about the online certificate courses that are given in account management. In case one doesn't have a degree but is still eying a position as an accounts manager then one can get into a small advertising company at a junior level position like an administrator and can gain experience as well as knowledge in the trade to be promoted to the position of an accounts manager later.
The candidate should have good customer management experience before applying for the vocation of accounts manager. He should have good project management capabilities. He needs to possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. He should be highly motivated and extremely organized. He should possess strong commitment to combine his efforts for the accounts outcomes. He needs to have excellent research capability.
Besides, the candidate should also have good experience in delivering the presentation to customers. Good knowledge of the computer is mandatory.
Being an accounts manager, one will needs to have a wide range of relevant skills for the job. So one should attend training classes meant for an accounts manager to get professional qualifications like a certification or diploma in sales and marketing.
One is likely to get the job of an accounts manager only after years of experience as an accounts executive. Therefore, it is important to work at the junior level position in order to have proficiency and expertise in the work. It is only experience, with which one could progress to attain the position of an accounts director and then move to the directorial board. Moving from one agency to another is also a good move for a better pay scale and to gain a wide range of experience.
The job prospects for accounts manager are bright, all industries including manufacturing, IT and business organizations require good account managers for proper handling of their client portfolios. Thus, there is good deal of job opportunities for such people and this promises the aspirants a great career.
The annual median salary of an accounts manager typically varies from $35,000 dollars to $55,000. The wages for account directors have been observed to be around $100,000 a year.
An accounts manager is an important position in any business firm as he has to handle a number of critical responsibilities and duties. The earnings are also high if one has industry experience and appreciable qualifications. Therefore, it is advisable that one should move toward his goal of becoming an accounts manager only after gaining all the necessary qualifications and certifications.
