Sales account manager
Also known as: trainee sales account manager, trainee account manager, graduate account manager, assistant account manager, assistant sales account manager, customer relations manager
About this occupation
Sales account managers serve as intermediators between clients and the organisation, managing both sales and long term relations with the client. They have knowledge about products and services and develop contracts with customers.
Essential skills and knowledge
- product comprehension
- implement customer follow-up
- maintain customer records
- study sales levels of products
- characteristics of products
- prospect new customers
- maximise sales revenues
- characteristics of services
- ensure customer focus
- customer service
- build business relationships
- perform customers’ needs analysis
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Sales Managers (O*NET 11-2022.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
- Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
- Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs, and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.
- Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
- Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programs.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Negotiation, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Monitoring
US median pay: US$148,270 a year (2025), 637,080 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.1)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.0)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingImportant (3.0)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Marketing Managers
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
- Purchasing Managers
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
- General and Operations Managers
- Advertising Sales Agents
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.