Career Profile: Account Executive

Why Is Account Management a Job of Tomorrow?

As businesses large and small continue to grow, account executives will be needed to handle the expanding volume of clients those businesses will gain. Employment opportunities for account executives are expected to increase steadily well into the next decade.

What Does an Account Executive Do?
Account executives are high-ranking sales representatives who deal with a large number of clients (or accounts). People in this position serve as a means of communication between clients and relevant parties. They act in the same way a general manager works, overseeing all the different departments that handle an account to make certain that everything is going smoothly and running efficiently. They keep other departments on deadline and on budget, minimizing lost time and monetary loss.

What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become an Account Executive?
Account executives must have at least a bachelor's degree in business administration or in a field of study specific to the area in which their employer's organization works. A bachelor's degree takes four years to earn, and a business administration degree program covers finances, management and other related topics. Other degree programs that are specific to a particular field, such as marketing, would cover different course topics. Account executives must also have considerable professional working experience, and those looking to increase their marketability should consider participating in company training programs and attending relevant seminars on management.