Account coordinators and account managers work with clients in fields like advertising, public relations, and marketing to make their goals a reality by connecting them with products and services. Account managers are directly in charge of the productivity of client accounts in terms of revenue, while account coordinators are supports who execute a variety of administrative and customer service tasks.

Responsibilities of Account coordinator vs. Account manager

Both account coordinator and account manager have very different levels of responsibility. In fields like advertising, public relation, and marketing, account managers are more senior-level while account coordinators are entry-level. Generally, Account coordinators support campaigns for clients by assisting other account team professionals and possibly the clients directly. Account managers sell marketing or advertising services on a variety of platforms, including social media, by building and preserving relationships with clients.

The responsibility of an Account manager includes upselling, renewing contracts and being experts on company services and clients brands. The success of campaigns and revenue rest largely on their shoulders. However, an account coordinator performs ancillary duties like preparing documents, helping with mails and communicating with clients in a specified manner when required.

Account coordinators

Account coordinator is an entry-level position in marketing, advertising, or public relations which involves assisting account teams with a wide range of supportive tasks. These tasks include helping with media, such as researching stories about the client in various media outlets, proofreading materials, and publishing press releases. Administrative duties, in general, including drafting reports and answering phones. These professionals required to stand in for public presentations or help with projects and campaigns as needed. They also keep client correspondence by documenting conversations.

Job responsibilities of an account coordinator include:

1. Taking directions from supervisors

2. Tracking projects deadlines

3. Managing mail to and from vendors or media outlets

4. Researching new marketing trends to suit a client’s needs

5. Performing product demonstration

Educational requirements:

Most marketing firms require account coordinators to have at least a bachelor's degree either in communications, advertising, marketing, business, or a related field. However, various firms will hire individuals based on experience or other personal qualifications. Account coordinator must have excellent communication skills, and be able to act as a problem-solver for a client.

Account managers

Account managers target key clients to build a working relationship, develop an understanding of their needs, and generate sustainable long-term revenue. The managers do this by using their extensive knowledge of the products and services offered by their company to offer these solutions to the client's specific issues. They are accountable for meeting sales goals set by company executives and for client retention. They coordinate between the client and internal teams to direct the client's campaign through all stages of its launch.

Job responsibilities of an account manager include:

1. Identifying market and data trends to inform recommendations

2. Negotiating with the clients on prices and contract conditions

3. Working with clients to create budgets

4. Presenting products that will improve the business processes of existing clients

Educational requirement:

A bachelor’s degree in advertising, communication or public relation can help you prepare for an account manager. A major in business or marketing could also work. After completing a bachelor’s degree an aspiring may be hired as a junior account executive or assistant account manager. Good performance and experience may lead to a job as an account manager or senior account manager.

Anyone exploring employment as an account coordinator may also consider a position as a public relations assistant as both are entry-level positions Prospective account managers could find achievement in a position as a marketing manager because both help generates revenue based on client needs and market trends.