Definition of "Account Executive (AE)"

An employee of a brokerage firm who must pass specified tests and must be registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) before he or she may solicit or accept orders from clients. An account executive working for a full service brokerage firm generally provide their clients with advice, placement of orders and has the legal powers of an agent. In a discount brokerage firm, an account executive generally provides the client with customer service and handles the purchase and sale of securities on an unsolicited basis. Because account executives at discount brokerage firms usually do not provide advice for their clients, the commissions charged for the purchase and sale of securities are customarily much lower.