[mike25]

I’m currently a senior at a top 20 school majoring in accounting. How much can I expect to make with a CPA license in New York City with 5 years of experience and at a mid sized firm? When should I be seeing six figures? I read payscale but it seems inaccurate; they listed the average mid-career salary with a CPA at $57,000, which is actually lower than the average salary in Manhattan. With these credentials I wouldn’t accept anything below $60k in NYC.

What are the actual figures?

[Skynet]

Don't forget to factor in the cost of owning a girlfriend.

[Anonymous]

I started at Ernst & Young back in 2008 on $60k as a fresh college grad (masters). Big 4 in NYC earn starting around $64k now. Smaller CPA firms offer new hires around $60k.

I did 3 years big 4 then switched to the private side. Salary + bonus was just over $100k. You can easily earn $100k within 4 years. If you are not earning that within 5 years then you are doing something seriously wrong.

Let me just state for the record, although you will reach six figures very quickly, you will also hit the ceiling very quickly.

Expect to max out at around $150k within 8 years (unless you make partner or switch into a front office position or become a CFO or something).

[jstay]

thats probably about right. and if you dont wanna work there for less then 60, theyll find someone who will. trust me 55-57 right out of college isnt bad

[005]

Anywhere between 70-100, depending on what you're doing.

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[Anonymous]

You should also bear in mind, that in NYC you will pay anywhere from $2k-$3k in rent each month for a tiny apartment….

Not all that glitters is gold 😀

[Anonymous]

Starting salaries in public acct are ~$57k (I had a few offers all within 3k of one another – Big 4 and Top 20). If you go from B4 to private, in NYC, I wouldn't remotely consider leaving for less than ~120k once at Manager level (where you should be 5 years in).

[Author]

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