Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Account Executive - Corporate Financial Services

at Workiva

🏢 About Workiva

Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations streamline climate impact disclosures and compliance. Their cloud-based platform is trusted by thousands of enterprises, and they prioritize innovation, sustainability, and collaborative culture. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven company at the forefront of transparent reporting.

About This Role

As a Senior Account Executive, you'll drive revenue by selling Workiva's financial and ESG reporting solutions to investment and insurance clients. You'll collaborate with internal teams to generate pipeline, lead complex sales cycles, and close deals with C-level executives. This role is impactful because you're directly enabling companies to meet regulatory demands and improve transparency.

💡 A Day in the Life

You start by reviewing your pipeline in Salesforce, prioritizing follow-ups with key prospects. Mid-morning, you join a call with a Solutions Consultant to prep a demo for a VP of Finance at an insurance company. After lunch, you cold-call a list of leads generated by Inside Sales, then spend the afternoon negotiating a contract with procurement. You end the day updating forecasts and collaborating with your team in a virtual stand-up.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Workiva

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For

  • Proven track record of 6+ years in enterprise SaaS sales, specifically selling complex solutions to executive buyers in finance or insurance verticals.
  • Experienced in managing multiple long sales cycles (6-12 months) and negotiating pricing with procurement.
  • Strong ability to partner with Solutions Consultants to deliver technical demos and articulate value propositions.
  • Self-starter comfortable with remote work, using CRM tools (Salesforce) and video conferencing for client engagement.

📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva

1

Quantify your past sales achievements (e.g., 'Exceeded quota by 120% in 2023' or 'Closed $2M+ deals with Fortune 500 financial firms').

2

Highlight any experience selling ESG, compliance, or regulatory reporting solutions—even if tangential.

3

Customize your resume with keywords from the job description: 'sales pipeline', 'executive-level buyers', 'complex solution sales'.

4

Include a brief cover letter mentioning why Workiva's ESG mission resonates with you and how your background aligns.

5

If you have insurance vertical experience, lead with it in your summary and list relevant client names.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your experience selling to investment or insurance clients, and your understanding of their regulatory pain points.', 'Showcase your ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles and close large deals.', "Express enthusiasm for Workiva's role in ESG and climate reporting, and how you can contribute to their growth.", 'Mention specific metrics (e.g., quota attainment, deal size) to demonstrate your sales effectiveness.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Workiva's latest ESG report and understand their platform's unique differentiators (e.g., integrated data, audit trail).
  • → Review recent news about ESG regulations like SEC climate disclosure rules and EU CSRD—how they impact clients.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Workiva's competitors (e.g., Salesforce Net Zero Cloud, Persefoni) and how they position.
  • → Check Workiva's Glassdoor reviews to understand culture, sales team dynamics, and leadership style.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How do you generate leads and build pipeline in a remote environment?
2 Describe a complex sale you closed with a financial services client—what was your strategy?
3 How do you collaborate with Solutions Consultants to tailor demos for executive buyers?
4 What is your approach to negotiating pricing and handling objections from procurement?
5 How do you stay current on ESG regulations and reporting standards (e.g., GRI, SASB, TCFD)?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to tailor your resume—sending a generic application without highlighting financial/insurance sales experience.
  • Overlooking the ESG angle—not showing awareness of Workiva's mission and how it drives their product.
  • Being unprepared for remote sales questions—not discussing how you manage virtual relationships and pipeline.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Workiva!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →