Post job

Account leader vs account manager

The differences between account leaders and account managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an account leader, becoming an account manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, an account leader has an average salary of $108,843, which is higher than the $68,535 average annual salary of an account manager.

The top three skills for an account leader include account management, customer service and business development. The most important skills for an account manager are customer service, account management, and healthcare.

Account leader vs account manager overview

Account LeaderAccount Manager
Yearly salary$108,843$68,535
Hourly rate$52.33$32.95
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs135,207152,261
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4446
Years of experience48

What does an account leader do?

Account leaders are assigned to work on specific client accounts and assist these clients with their needs. They should treat their clients as partners. This would help them forge a better working relationship with clients. Account leaders should have high business acumen and a strong grasp of the current industry landscape. They should be familiar with the company's products and services and which product or service best fits the clients' needs. Account leaders should also know how to retain clients and maintain the client base. They may do this by regularly checking up on clients, making clients feel valued, and mitigating any challenges that may arise.

What does an account manager do?

Account managers are employees who act as the bridge between the company they represent and the client of the company. They are assigned to handle specific clients so that the company will be able to tailor-fit any product or service according to the clients' requirements. Account managers are responsible for maintaining a harmonious relationship between the two parties by ensuring that any agreement made is amenable to both the company and the client. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company will be able to provide the needs of the client within any limitation that the client may have. Account managers also ensure that the company's reputation and well-being are always considered in any dealings.

Account leader vs account manager salary

Account leaders and account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Account LeaderAccount Manager
Average salary$108,843$68,535
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $157,000Between $42,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyPoint BNVIDIA
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between account leader and account manager education

There are a few differences between an account leader and an account manager in terms of educational background:

Account LeaderAccount Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Account leader vs account manager demographics

Here are the differences between account leaders' and account managers' demographics:

Account LeaderAccount Manager
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 48.4% Female, 51.6%Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 12.2% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between account leader and account manager duties and responsibilities

Account leader example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage CRM databases for major retailers.
  • Lead the design and development team for Claro Colombia, the largest telecommunication company in LatAm.
  • Develop RFP responses and consistently demonstrate flawless execution to achieve continual growth in each account.
  • Utilize PeopleSoft ERP financials, purchasing, inventory, and human resources modules.
  • Supervise team of 3 and serve as group liaison for all Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) documentation to external and internal auditors.
  • Analyze financial statements and prepare financial reports and reconcile bank statements and payroll accounts.
  • Show more

Account manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage financial departments with responsibility for managing payroll, bank re-consolidations, bank deposits, budgeting and cost control.
  • Manage $4 million territory encompassing three Mid-Atlantic states.
  • Manage new business and renewals for leading Saas legal solution.
  • Manage an inside sales territory of multiple states with Avaya technology solutions.
  • Negotiate and manage all contracts and pricing for IDN's in the territory.
  • Manage customers' accounts utilizing laptop and internet base CMS reporting software and ADM field guide.
  • Show more

Account leader vs account manager skills

Common account leader skills
  • Account Management, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Reconciliations, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
Common account manager skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Account Management, 8%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%

Browse business and financial jobs