How to Become an Account Executive

It takes 5 years of professional experience to become an account executive. That is the time it takes to learn specific account executive skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 8 to 10 years years to become an account executive.

No, you do not need a college degree to become an account executive. To become an account executive requires, at minimum, a high school diploma.

Over 70% of account executives have a bachelor's degree, and most have their bachelor's degrees in business administration, finance, business management, and marketing.

Only 7.3% of account executives have a master's degree. However, those account executives with a master's degree earn more money ($73,000) compared to those with just a bachelor's degree ($65,000).

While a college degree helps to get a foot in the door, an account executive is weighted more on their communication skills, social networking abilities, and their ability to get new clients. On-the-job experience is also very important. For example, over 90% of recently hired account executives have had at least several years of work experience in their industry.

Most account executives have worked in sales, which gives them the opportunity to on-the-job training and master sales and persuasion techniques. Starting out as a sales representative is recommended since it provides one-on-one experience working with an account executive.

Since most account executive roles require at least three years of experience in sales, you should plan to work for at least that long in an entry-level sales role before seeking a promotion.

An account executive gets paid around $97,000 annually. The national average starting salary is $65,000, plus a commission or bonus around $20,000 to $40,000 annually.

The average entry-level position for an account executive is $43,000 plus commission. An account executive with a master's degree earns more money ($73.000) compared to someone with just a bachelor's degree ($65,000). Only 7.3% of account executives, however, have a master's degree.

Most account executives work their way up through the company rather than getting hired right outside of college. More than 90% of account executives have had at least several years of work experience in their industry before being hired.

Factors such as educational credentials, experience, and location have an effect on salary range. It's also impacted by the size of the company - ranging from $350,000 at a large company and $80,000 at a small company.

An account executive makes approximately $65,000 a year. Many factors can impact what an account executive earns annually, as this number only includes base salary.

Entry-level account executive positions earn an average of $44,000 per year. This salary reflects the education and experience of the candidate as well as the size of the company and city of employment.

Most account executive positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree, but someone with enough experience can be offered a position at a higher level of compensation.

Account executives salaries often include sales commission and annual bonuses that can put that $65,000 well over $100,000 in annual compensation. Some account executives working for major companies in large markets can earn $250,000 a year or more.

Yes, being an account executive is a good job. High-energy individuals with natural social skills will find the career both exciting and fulfilling. Plus, a strong job outlook indicates a positive future for account excutives.

An account executive works mostly in sales but can cover a wide range of roles, including; sales, advertising, marketing, and finance. An account executive is a good job for individuals who are naturally "social butterflies" with high energy and excellent people skills.

Account executives usually must meet revenue targets via commission for selling the company's products and services. An account executive makes, on average, $97,000 a year with commissions/bonuses. The range in earnings, however, can be anywhere, from $350,000 for working at a large company to $80,000 at a smaller company.

An account executive is typically responsible for bringing in new clients and servicing existing clients. This role is also known as a "full-cycle" role because it usually requires working as both the sales development representative and the customer service team.

The day-to-day work life of an account executive is often fast-paced and competitive. An account manager must use their business acumen to create solutions while still meeting revenue and development goals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects average growth of 5% for account executives in the next two years. Most account executives are promoted internally, but some are hired from external companies as well. An account executive can be promoted to senior positions (e.g., Vice President of Business Development, Chief Operations Officer).

No, an account executive is not a manager. While account executives oversee team members tasked with acquiring new clients, they are not considered part of the management team.

An account executive is responsible for recruiting new customers and following up on leads for potential new business. This often results in account managers working with others in the sales department to present a proposal to a potential client.

The roles of account executives and account managers are often confused. Account managers deal with existing clients. They ensure that the client's changing needs are met. Account managers work with a team tasked with meeting their client's budget, creative and time-sensitive needs.

The two positions are of equal importance in most companies. However, someone in the account executive role can be promoted to an account manager to oversee some of the clients they have brought to the company.

Yes, it is hard to be an account executive. To become an account executive requires some educational credentials and work experience. More importantly, an account executive is expected to have exceptional communication skills, a large social network, and a drive to stay relevant and up-to-date on the latest trends.

To become an account executive requires nothing more than a high school diploma and a willingness to learn. However, over 70% of account executives do have a bachelor's degree. Interestingly, only 7% of account executives have a master's degree.

Overall, on-the-job experience and good sales abilities hold more weight relative to having a graduate degree or MBA. Consistent with this, over 90% of recently hired account executives already had several years of work experience in their industry.

Most account executive roles require at least three years of experience in sales before being eligible for a position as an account executive.

Account executives come from a wide range of backgrounds (e.g., sales, advertising, marketing, finance) but at the end of the day, they are really just glorified salespeople -- A salesperson who spends a great deal of time building and maintaining client relationships (e.g., branding) in order to sell their company product or services.

Account executives usually work outside of the standard 9-to-5 hours; they often start work early and are "on-call" until late / weekends. There is a lot of variety in the day-to-day activities of an account executive relative to their client's needs at that particular moment.

Many account executives develop intimate relationships with their clients (e.g., calls after business hours and on weekends). The time and nature of client demand only increase as account executives progress in their roles and gain more prestigious clients.

It is typical for account executives to routinely attend management training courses and sit in on sales calls to better understand the business. Account executives also are expected to understand sales, social networking, project management, negotiations, and cold calls.

An account executive is considered a lower-level position in the business sales profession. Although very important, the position of account executive ranks near the bottom of the business sales hierarchy.

Account executives land just above sales development representatives representing the early stages of a business/customer relationship. These representatives find leads that the account executive then cultivates into a sales contract.

Above the account executive are positions that represent both the ongoing relationship with the client and the large scope of overseeing multiple clients and their needs. Account managers, regional sales managers, and directors of sales represent the ascending scope and responsibility of the sales branch of a business.

These roles within the sales branch of a business are where account executives may be promoted. Account executives are often promoted to account managers to continue to manage the accounts that they have acquired. Here they would work with multiple account executives and their clients.

Account executives must meet certain education and job-specific qualifications, including a bachelor's degree, business or sales experience, and strong communication skills.

A four-year degree in business administration, accounting, or marketing is typical of someone pursuing this career path. Some candidates earn an MBA, and all coursework should focus on consumer research, marketing, and communication methods.

Other skills necessary to be a successful account executive range from creativity to leadership skills. Account executives also rely on various forms of effective communication to present their concepts to clients. Leadership skills are important as you may be leading a team to fulfill a client's vision for their company.

There are no certifications or licensures connected to becoming an account executive. Candidates need only a relevant degree, good leadership skills, and the ability to effectively communicate their vision to potential clients.

The difference between an account executive and an account manager is their involvement with the client. Account managers are responsible for ensuring client satisfaction once the client is already on board with the company. An account executive is tasked with finding and signing new clients to the company.

An account manager will usually handle multiple clients at a time, unlike an account executive, who is usually focused on one client at a time.

The main job duties of an account manager include:

• Serving as a communication hub between existing clients.

• Maintaining a positive relationship with existing clients and their company.

• Offering new services or products to existing clients as relevant and necessary.

• Managing and solving customer issues.

The main job duties of an account executive include:

• Networking to identify potential clients. Representing the company on sales calls.

• Creating and fostering positive customer relationships.

• Presenting effective sales pitches.

• Meeting sales quotas.

• Resolving any client issues that arise before signing the sales contract.