handle the accounts
/ˈhændəl ðə əˈkaʊnts/
Meaning
This expression can have two meanings depending on the context: either managing the financial records and bookkeeping of a business, or managing key client relationships (often called 'accounts' in sales or advertising). It implies taking responsibility for keeping these areas organized and successful.
Examples
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She was hired specifically to handle the accounts of our major European clients.
She was hired specifically to handle the accounts of our major European clients.
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Who is going to handle the accounts while our senior accountant is on parental leave?
Who is going to handle the accounts while our senior accountant is on parental leave?
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Our agency handles the accounts of several Fortune 500 companies.
Our agency handles the accounts of several Fortune 500 companies.
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He has been handling the accounts efficiently, ensuring all invoices are paid on time.
He has been handling the accounts efficiently, ensuring all invoices are paid on time.
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I don't have the training to handle the accounts; we should hire a professional bookkeeper.
I don't have the training to handle the accounts; we should hire a professional bookkeeper.
Common Mistakes
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✗ She controls the accounts of our top clients.
✓ She handles the accounts of our top clients.
'Control' sounds overly dominant or restrictive in a client-facing context. 'Handle' is the natural professional verb for managing and maintaining client relationships.
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✗ He is responsible to handle the accounts.
✓ He is responsible for handling the accounts.
The adjective 'responsible' is followed by the preposition 'for' and a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive verb.
Related Expressions
Practice
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As a senior sales representative, your main duty will be to ___.
💡 Manage client relationships.
Show answer
handle the accounts
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We need someone with strong bookkeeping skills to ___ for our small business.
💡 Manage the financial records.
Show answer
handle the accounts