Account managers play a significant role in the relationship between an organization and its clients. These staff members generally are the go-to contacts for clients and have the most one-on-one interaction with them. This role has several desirable advantages, making it a rewarding career path.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private, Lasallian Catholic university offering in-person and online programs. Through our online B.S. in Business Administration degree completion program, students will be exposed to important business topics and skills they can use in the business world, including finding a role as an account manager. Discover more about the role of account manager and why Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a great place to get started.
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from seven bachelor completion degree programs
B.S. in Accounting
B.S. in Applied Psychology
B.S. in Business Administration
B.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership
B.S. in Healthcare Management
B.S. in Human Resource Management
B.S. in Information Technology
What Is an Account Manager and What Do They Do?
The role of an account manager is difficult to pinpoint because their duties often are based on the clients they serve and the industry they work in. It’s common for account managers to adjust their focus and shift their attention to address a client’s particular situation.
Generally, account managers are responsible for overseeing daily tasks involved with accommodating the customer’s needs and concerns, while maintaining account activities. Other common duties of an account manager include:
- Establishing, growing, and maintaining strong, professional relationships with clients
- Assisting with contract negotiations and closing agreements to maximize profits
- Working with sales teams to identify and seize new account opportunities
- Analyzing, forecasting, and tracking critical account metrics and data
- Preparing reports on the status of accounts
- Establishing account goals and monitoring progress toward reaching those goals
- Precisely communicating with internal and external stakeholders about the progress of account initiatives
- Assisting with client requests
- Ensuring timely delivery of services or products per customer needs and objectives
Skills Needed to Be an Account Manager
While the duties required of an account manager vary from industry to industry and job to job, they all involve a certain set of skills. To pursue the role of account manager, individuals must possess the following skills:
Listening Skills
Much of the role of an account manager involves problem-solving. Account managers must have a complete grasp of a situation to determine the most effective solution. This requires excellent listening skills. With this skill, account managers can successfully listen to the concerns of the clients, understand the severity of the situation, explore possible solutions, and respond appropriately.
Time Management Skills
Managing time wisely is an essential skill for account managers. It’s needed to ensure all daily tasks are completed. Typically, account managers have many requests, orders, and future projects to consider. Not managing them coherently will result in falling behind on these tasks.
Time management skills also involve delegating time wisely. Not all tasks require the same effort and time. Account managers must successfully determine which responsibilities require the most time and attention to detail.
Communication and People Skills
The role of an account manager is a people-forward position, meaning it mostly involves people working with other people. Account managers must know how to communicate well with others to better serve their clients.
Other skills account managers need include:
- Relationship building
- Organizational skills
- Adaptability
- Leadership skills
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Negotiation
Job Outlook and Compensation
There are several reasons someone would want to pursue the role of account manager, including a passion for connecting with others and a desire to play a crucial role in the growth of a business. In addition to these reasons, many individuals pursue this career because of the positive job outlook. Employment for account managers has seen a steady increase in recent years, with that trend looking to continue.
Another advantage of being an account manager is compensation. The average base salary for an account manager in the United States is $67,165, well above the median annual salary for all occupations. Account managers can use their experiences and knowledge of the industry to pursue other meaningful positions, as well.
Discover More About Account Managing
The position of account manager can be an exciting and fulfilling role. To perform the expected responsibilities of account management requires the proper skills and knowledge, which can be acquired through the online bachelor’s degree in business administration offered at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
We accommodate adult learners who are already in the working world by offering online programs they can complete on their own time. We offer a full catalog of academic programs to help students pursue the careers they want, including account manager. To begin your quest to become an account manager, or request more information today. You can apply online.