Duties of Account Representatives

• Account representatives utilize sales practices in some industries. Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

  Account representatives work in a variety of industries and have various duties, some of which may be industry-specific and others that are more common, regardless of industry. Account representatives serve an important function, regardless of what industry they work in. They establish and maintain ongoing relationships with clients or customers.

Sales Duties

• One of the primary duties of an account representative is in sales. Account representatives go by a variety of titles, one of which is that of the sales representative. Account representatives attempt to gain the interest of prospective buyers and turn them into paying customers or clients. Account representatives may offer a wide variety of products or only one product. They meet with prospective clients to show them the value of their product, how it might save them money or simple how it can benefit them in some direct manner.

Collection Duties

• Some account representatives work with delinquent accounts. They are responsible for attempting to collect money owed by customers who may have either forgotten a payment or simply did not pay because of financial hardship. Collections representatives contact customers by phone and attempt to reestablish their account and bring it back into good standing or simply collect a minimum payment and obtain a commitment for future payment, if necessary.

Administrative Duties

• Account representatives also complete administrative duties as part of their job. Account representatives in sales must complete the necessary paperwork to establish new accounts. They may also be responsible for logging their activities for supervisors who may expect them to meet production goals and may wish to know what they are doing to meet those goals. Account representatives keep files of existing clients to establish additional business with them later.

Customer Service Duties

• Account representatives also can be customer service agents. Regardless of whether they are sales or collections representatives, account representatives answer questions for clients and attempt to resolve any issues or problems that a customer may have about a purchase. When they are unable to resolve an issue on their own, account representatives direct customers to someone who can resolve their situation.