[Anonymous]

I’m currently living in the DFW area making $52,000/year plus ~$5,000 bonus in public. I have a little over a year experience and will soon be licensed.

What US cities can I earn and save the most money? I.e., what cities have the lowest COL and highest pay for a CPA with 1+ year experience? Big 4 is out of the question. 60 hours is my weekly limit. ~2,200 hours is my annual limit.

Also, should I ask for a raise? My performance and work ethic is quite exceptional for my firm. If so, how much?

[Mamabear]

Looks like DFW made the Forbes list of what you're looking for.

https://www.gobankingrates.com/savings-account/dallas-texas/which-cities-greatest-income-cost-gap/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2012/07/09/the-cities-where-a-paycheck-stretches-the-farthest/

https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/top-best-most/stretching-your-money–the-best-cities-for-high-pay-and-low-expenses-195126305.html

Most of us can't answer your questions because we don't know enough statistics about the U.S. as a whole. Google and you will find lots of articles of research to help you out. Good luck!

CPA Exam - Finally DONE (November 2014)
BEC (08/10/13) 80
AUD (08/24/13) 65 (11/13/13) 85
FAR (04/12/14) 81
REG (07/19/14) 69 (11/29/14) 87!!

[justgivemea75]

I don't think you're going to find a much better combination of opportunity + relative pay as major Texas cities to be honest. I live in a major east coast city and am only making 4-5k more than you even though my taxes, expenses, and everything else are WAY more expensive. The only other non-southern city I can think of is Chicago, but the weather is going to be much worse is Chiberia than Dallas/Austin/Houston/San Antonio. Otherwise, other southern cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, etc. could have what you're looking for, as well as LV/Phoenix on the pseudo-west coast.

FAR - 84
AUD - 76 (phew)
BEC - 88
REG - 77

DONE!

[Anonymous]

Move to NYC. $70k Salary. $2,500/mo rent. $11 bud lights.

A liberal utopia.

[golfball7773]

You could move to South Dakota?

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Kettlepot]

That sounds like a really good gig you've already got going; a mid-sized public auditing firm in a low COL city. I would even say your salary is really good for an unlicensed new-hire, unless you have previous private experience that you didn't mention.

As for a raise, most companies give a standard 2 to 3% annual raise depending on performance, but that's such a subjective question with a TON of variables that we can never know. The best way to get a raise is to get licensed and then get a promotion, then shoot for like 65k+Bonus.

Honestly though, you've got a really good thing going right now. I'm in OK making about the same amount with about 5 years of experience in Private.

Far: 49
BEC: 79 (Expired)
AUD: 51, 67, 64
REG: 59, 64, 59, 69

[Anonymous]

I'm from Houston and Houston and Dallas pay is pretty similar to one another; and both are pretty good for accountants and better for CPA's. However, I think the DFW area may have a lower cost of living. I think you're in a good place to be an accountant/CPA. The only thing that Houston has over Dallas is the Oil & Gas market. However, the Dallas area also many businesses and many headquarters in the DFW area.

[jbarwick]

Also don't forget in Texas there is no state income tax so if you were to move to another state where pay is better, you could pay more in taxes. I moved from Ohio to Tennessee for a raise plus there was no state income tax so I got a double raise. Sales taxes are higher but not enough to offset the gain.

Journey Started - January 2015
FAR - 4/2015 - Passed
AUD - 7/2015 - Passed
BEC - 8/2015 - Passed
REG - 11/12/2015 - Passed

[Anonymous]

I remember when I interned with one of the BIg4 firms (2008 & 2009) and all of the IFS interns we sent to Atlanta for training. People started discussing their salary (hourly rate) and the LA interns got REALY upset because they were making around $19 a hour while the Houston and Dallas Interns were making around $24. They're cost of living was/is A LOT higher than ours but we made way more than them. … I say that to say, STAY PUT, unless you plan to move to Houston. 🙂

[Tuffy11111]

^^That's crazy. I know some people that interned in Nashville and Atlanta for big 4 and made $24 an hour. How on earth could LA not be higher/the same?

BEC - 83 7/25
REG - 76 5/2/15
AUD - Hopefully before MY Audit...7/5?
FAR - 83 5/2/16

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure. I was just happy that I was on the other end of the stick. LOL

[Missy]

I'm wondering LA means different things to each of you…Louisiana or Los Angeles?

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[y_u_no_pass]

I figured Louisiana since they were discussing cities in Georgia and Texas. Louisiana is in between. Also isn't Los Angeles L.A.?

Florida CPA!
Took final exam 2/25/15.
Sent in Application 3/12/15.
Issued License 3/20/15.
Used CPA Excel solely for all exams.

[Missy]

Right but the cost of living isn't necessarily higher in Louisiana than it is in Houston or Atlanta. Average home price in Louisiana is $154k (obviously NOLA is higher) and average home price in TX is 177k. Why would people expect LA wages to be higher?

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

I meant Los Angeles. 🙂

[Author]

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