How To Become An Account Executive, Key Accounts: What It Is and Career Path

What is an account executive, key accounts and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.

An account executive for key accounts is responsible for handling the most critical accounts of the organization. That said, they play a major role in ensuring good relationships with the holders of these accounts, which, in turn, is essential for the company's growth and success.

To get a glimpse of what it's like to perform such a critical role, consider the tasks of an account executive for key accounts, which usually include meeting with VIP clients, monitoring account activities, collaborating with other employees that handle the key accounts, and fulfilling special requirements made by key account holders.

If you think you can make an excellent account executive for key accounts, you must have at least a four-year degree in a relevant field, as well as extensive experience in handling accounts. Furthermore, you must have deep knowledge of company policies, procedures, and standards, which means you may have to work years for a company before being promoted to this position.

Nevertheless, the salary of an account executive for key accounts is worth all the effort. On average, this job can earn you around $160,000 a year or more.

What general advice would you give to an account executive, key accounts?

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.

Associate Dean, Central Connecticut State University

I have spent almost two decades in the higher education industry and about a decade in administration. I often advised students, and it is astonishing to see how many of these students do not plan for their future. A good plan is a starting point to lead a good and successful career and life. Hence, by all means, it is worth noting that developing a future-oriented focus is important, so taking time to streamline the plan should be an important exercise for every graduate before they begin to do anything.

ScoreAccount Executive, Key AccountsUS Average

Salary

8.0

Avg. Salary $117,015

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 5.20%

Black or African American 3.88%

Hispanic or Latino 14.52%

Unknown 3.72%

White 72.44%

Gender

female 38.58%

male 61.42%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an account executive, key accounts

Explore account executive, key accounts education requirements

Most common account executive, key accounts degrees

Bachelor's

79.7 %

Master's

8.7 %

Associate

7.5 %

Start to develop specific account executive, key accounts skills

Skills	Percentages
Healthcare	17.58%
CRM	7.73%
Account Management	6.78%
Revenue Growth	6.04%
Product Line	5.68%

Complete relevant account executive, key accounts training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New account executives, key accounts learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an account executive, key accounts based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real account executive, key accounts resumes.

Research account executive, key accounts duties and responsibilities

Manage day-to-day activity of client relate projects including IP voice, MPLS infrastructures and CPE implementations in a deadline-orient high-pressure environment.
Maximize the use of CRM, category management, and global account management tools to plan and execute on key initiatives.
Develop all operating plans and parking performas for RFP process.
Select based on previous expertise to deliver cloud software, mainframe solutions, and content management platforms.

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