Error with Secure Store Service

Hi - I sure could use some help with an issue I'm having trying to configure the Secure Store Service in SharePoint 2010.

I'm using SharePoint Server 2010 and this is the first time that I've installed and trying to configure. When I try to generate a key for the Secure Store Service App, I get this error: "Cannot complete this action as the Secure Store Shared Service is not responding. Please contact your Administrator."

I also see an error in the Event Viewer: "The Secure Store Service application Secure Store Service App is not accessible. The full exception text is: Access is denied"

I have verified that the App Pool is using the correct domain acount and the database security allows this same acount as well. The account is DBO in the Secure Store databse. What else should I check that would cause access denied?

Thank you!