Account Manager vs. Project Manager

An account manager deals with one or more customer accounts on a long-term basis and is focused on the requirements of their customers and customer satisfaction, while a project manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of a project and is defined by the scope of that project.

An account manager is oriented externally and their prime mission is to retain and satisfy their customer accounts. Account managers take information about pricing, cots, and competitors to develop strategic plans that allow them to maintain customer satisfaction. Sales, profit, and overhead play a large role in an account manager's success rate.

A project manager handles the day-to-day management of a project, including the project team. They create timelines and make sure that the project progresses accordingly. Their work is internally focused and they are defined by the success of their project and in meeting targets already defined in company documents.

There are many differences between an account manager and a project manager including their salaries and definitions of success.

Here are the key differences between a project sponsor and a project manager:

• An account manager averages $60,000 per year

• A project manager averages $80,000 per year

• An account manager is externally focused

• A project manager is internally focused

• An account manager's success is defined by customer satisfaction and retention

• A project manager's success is defined by the completion of the project on time, within budget, and with all targets met