Last Updated On 18 Sep, 2020

How to Become a Account Manager

About Account Manager

The Account Manager acts as a link between the company and the client. He is responsible for managing the accounts(clients) that he has been assigned to handle by the company. He is responsible for listening to the client’s needs and helping them to meet their objectives. An Account Manager assists the organization by gathering information, reviewing the data of clients, identifying industrial needs and finding leads. He ensures client satisfaction and loyalty to a company’s service or product. The Account Manager also coordinates with the sales team to collect the data of the specific client. The main work of an Account Manager is to acquire new business along with maintaining the existing business. 

Responsibilities of an Account Manager

Check some major responsibilities of an Account Manager provided below.

  • Communicating the client’s needs and demands to the company and organization

  • Ensuring clients receive requested products and services within the decided time

  • Developing new business with existing clients

  • Collaborating with the sales team to identify growth opportunities

  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with the clients

  • Providing services to clients as per their requirements

  • Negotiating contracts and close agreements to maximize the profit

  • Analysing the market and identifying current market trends

Eligibility to become Account Manager

Candidates who are looking for a career as an Account Manager are required to meet some requirements decided by the organisation. They can check the table provided below to know the eligibility criteria of Account Manager. 

Education Required

  • Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree in sales, communication or any other relevant field

  • They should have some experience in CRM software such as Zoho CRM, HubSpot and Salesforce

  • They should have a good understanding of consumer behaviours and industry trends.

Skills

Provided below are some skills required for Account Manager

  • Teamwork

  • Planning

  • People Skills

  • Organisational skills

  • Listening Skills

  • Presentation Skills

Work Experience

  • Candidates should have at least 1 year of work experience in delivering client-focused solutions based on customer requirements

Courses to become an Account Manager

The table provided below contains some programs that you can pursue in order to become an Account Manager. The table also contains the average fee along with some of the well-known colleges for sales management. Candidates may apply to any of these institutes by filling our Common Application Form

Course

Total Fee (Approx)

Top Colleges for Sales Management

B.Com in Sales and Marketing

INR 10,000 to INR 2.50 lakh

Bachelor in Retail and Sales Management

INR 37,000 to INR 3.80 lakh

PGDM in Operations Management

INR 45,000 to INR 4.00 lakh

MBA in Operations Management

INR 1.00 lakh  to INR 9.00 lakh

MBA in Sales Management

INR 50,000 to INR 10.00 lakh

Types of Job Roles Account Manager

An Account Manager is responsible for managing the accounts. He also performs other tasks such as finding new business, building long term relationships and coordinating with the sales team. Job roles of an Account Manager comprise strategic planning, sales support, service application, logistics, project management and marketing. There are many other job profiles available for an Account Manager. Some of them are provided below.

Those who are not sure which occupation is perfect for them may take our Career Profiling Test. In addition, if an applicant wants to know more about a career as an Account Manager, he or she can ask questions on the Collegedekho QnA zone.

Employment Opportunities for Account Manager

Employment opportunities for an Account Manager are almost similar to a Sales Manager. He can apply to any company that has a sales/ operations team. Around 40% of the job opportunities available for an Account Manager are there in the IT Firms. Besides this, some other sectors where he can apply for a job are Tour and Travel Firms, Insurance Firms and Pharmaceutical Companies. You can check the graph provided below to know the employment opportunities available for an Account Manager. 

Employment Opportunities for Account Manager

Top Recruiting Agencies for Account Manager

Some of the major recruiting companies for Account Manager are listed below.

  • Dell

  • Abbot

  • Xerox

  • Amazon

  • UnitedHealth Group

  • Amazon

  • Microsoft

  • Flipkart

Planning to choose Account Manager as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Account Manager

The average salary of an Account Manager is INR 6 lakh per annum. Any experienced Account Manager can surely get an average salary of INR 10 lakh per annum. The table provided below contains the average salary of all level of Account Manager. 

Profile

Starting Salary per annum (in INR)

Mid Level Salary per annum (in INR)

Senior Level Salary per annum (INR)

Account Manager

2,89,000

5,87,000

10,00,000

Salary of Account Manager

 

Books & Study Material to Become Account Manager

Provided below are some recommended books for Account Manager

  • Key Account Management by Diana Woodburn and Malcolm McDonald

  • Mastering Account Management by Dan Englander

  • The Trusted Advisor by Robert M. Galford

  • Key Account Management by Peter Cheverton

  • Key Customers by Malcolm McDonald and McDonald

  • Strategic Selling by Robert B. Miller and Stephen Heiman

  • Managing the Professional Service Firm by David Maister

Pros of becoming a Account Manager

  • You will learn about marketing strategies and plans

  • This profile will help us know about different kinds of industries

  • Career as an Account Manager is perfect for those who like sitting job

  • There are many employment opportunities available for an Account Manager

Cons of becoming a Account Manager

  • At least one year of experience is required for this position

  • You should have a good understanding of customer service and behaviour

  • You must have good communication and presentation skills

  • If you are a fresher in sales management, you might face some challenging situations

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

Take our test and find out if it suits your strengths.

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FAQs about Account Manager

What are the best books for Account Manager?

Some of the recommended books for an Account Manager are The Trusted Advisor by Robert M. Galford and Key Account Management by Peter Cheverton.

What is the salary of an Account Manager?

Any candidate who has experience of more than 3 years can earn up to INR 4 lakh per annum. His average salary will vary from company to company.

What are the cons of Account Manager?

Salary of an Account Manager in the initial stages is not good. Besides this, this profile requires at least one year of work experience in sales.

Can an Account Manager apply to manufacturing companies?

Yes, Account Manager may apply to manufacturing companies. However, he is advised to check the job description of the company before applying for a job.

What are the major recruiters for Account Manager?

Some of the major recruiters for an Account Manager are Abbot, Xerox, Amazon and UnitedHealth Group

What job profiles are available for an Account Manager?

Some of the job profiles available for an Account Manager are Market Research Analyst, Territory Manager

How to become an Account Manager?

You can start your career as an Account Manager by completing a bachelor’s degree in sales management or operations management. After that, you can apply for a job in your desired field.

Is being an Account Manager a stressful job?

Yes, since you are responsible for managing the accounts of the clients, it can get stressful.

What skills are required to become an Account Manager?

Some of the skills required to become an Account Manager are Prospecting Skills, Teamwork, Planning, Communication Skills and People Skills

What is the role of Account Manager?

Account Manager is a person who works for an organization and is responsible for managing the sales and relationship with the customers.

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