What is an account representative and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become an account executive?

It at least three years of work experience in sales to become an account executive. Most account executives have significant prior experience in sales, which offers them the opportunity to get both on-the-job training and master persuasion techniques.

Q: How much does an account representative make?

An account representative makes around $45,000 to $50,000 a year, on average. This amount does not include bonuses, and it also does not take into account the salary range dependent on experience level or industry.

Q: What does a new account representative do?

A new account representative works on becoming familiar with all current company accounts so that they can begin to understand how to respond to common client issues or complaints. This will also help them begin to understand the type of customer to target as they seek to expand and create new accounts. The better a new account representative understands the current client market, the better they are able to see ways to expand into new territory.

Q: What is a bank account representative?

A bank account representative is a person who works for a bank and provides customer service to the bank's clients. Their primary responsibilities include handling bank transfers, assisting with online accounts, completing transactions, accepting deposits, and answering banking or financial-related questions.

Q: What is a financial account representative?

A financial account representative is a person who helps their clients select financial products or services. This often includes insurance, banking services, investments, and similar products.

Q: What is an account representative salary?

An account representative salary is around $45,000 to $50,000 a year, on average. This amount does not include bonuses, and it also does not take into account the salary range dependent on experience level or industry.

Q: What qualifications do I need to be an account executive?

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Eric Gjerdevig

An account representative serves as a liaison between a company and its clients. They are responsible for managing client accounts and ensuring that their clients' needs are met. Account representatives typically communicate with clients to understand their needs and concerns, provide information, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. They may also assist with sales and marketing efforts by identifying new business opportunities and promoting the company's products or services.

What general advice would you give to an account representative?

Eric Gjerdevig

Lecturer in Marketing, Director for the Center for Professional Selling and Sales Technology, North Dakota State University

First, remember that what you get out of your first job is so much more than compensation. A great manager mentoring you is priceless: it will pay you back dividends for the rest of your career. That said, in sales our compensation is typically tied to our performance. That means we need to put yourself out there, pay attention to the actions of the most successful salesperson in the company, learn everything you can, and manage your time well.

ScoreAccount RepresentativeUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $36,977

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.9

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.49%

Asian 3.87%

Black or African American 12.53%

Hispanic or Latino 17.31%

Unknown 4.18%

White 61.61%

Gender

female 66.38%

male 33.62%

Age - 46

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 - 46

Stress level

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an account representative?

Pros

Potential for high earnings through commissions
Ability to work independently and manage own schedule
Chance to learn about various industries and businesses
Ability to work from home or remotely
Opportunity to provide valuable solutions to clients' needs

Cons

Long hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required
Need to constantly stay informed about industry changes and trends
Challenging to balance the needs of multiple clients simultaneously
High level of competition within the industry can make it difficult to stand out
May need to travel frequently for client meetings or sales pitches

Key steps to become an account representative

Explore account representative education requirements

Most common account representative degrees

Bachelor's

51.8 %

Associate

20.0 %

High School Diploma

13.4 %

Start to develop specific account representative skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	20.65%
Patients	17.68%
Patient Accounts	5.49%
Data Entry	3.37%
Medicaid	2.86%

Complete relevant account representative training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New account representatives 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 representative based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real account representative resumes.

Research account representative duties and responsibilities

Manage all billing accounts including Medicare/Medicaid, HMO and individual accounts.
Manage the daily correspondence from assign practices with keeping doctor/patient confidentiality under consideration along with HIPPA regulations.
Manage and maintain an internal database system to generate reports and produce accurate account information for patients and insurance companies.
Educate physicians to use current ICD-9 diagnostic coding and preparation to begin ICD-10 coding requirements.

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