[Anonymous]

Can someone tell me whats the minimum that the CPA can get. I know its based on the experience and everything. But assume that with a CPA license and very less experience..whats the minimum that a CPA makes?

[Anonymous]

And I'm with msm– I just went private. Took a bit of a pay cut, but a ton less hours, no travel, etc. make the cut worthwhile. Plus, I'll get to do internal audit to get my hours/other work under a CPA.

[NJCPA2B]

When the US/World recession is over in the next 12 months, this forum/site will become obsolete as all CPAs will find jobs so fast that there will be a shortage of CPAs and the starting salaries and demand for CPAs will be exceptonal = 100% employment for CPA……..hopefully you'll think back and say….”boy that NJCPA2B really new something…..”

BEC=77, FAR=78, REG=73,74,80, AUD=70,69, 84 DONE!

[italianCPA]

NJCPA2B,

Believe me, I wish you are right, but unfortunately I doubt it….

FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
REG - 10/15/10 - 95

[Anonymous]

I don't think this answer can be answered. It depends on who you go after for a career.. big company vs. small company, if you know how to bargain after getting the job, experience vs. no experience, location ,etc. I have quite a bit of experience, MBA and completing the CPA, but do not make what others are speaking of… I can't bargain! I'm afraid of this economy. I like my job so I won't complain 🙂

[75 CPA]

Deloitte paid a friend of mine $55,000 coming out of college with a MS. They also paid for Becker and a $5,000 bonus for passing the CPA exams. He has been with the company for 9 months.

[financeguy]

what would you say is the avg weekly hours for working in public accounting? I know I hear 60 hours a week during busy season (maybe more) so what is the annual weekly average?

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[italianCPA]

Financeguy:

when you work as a financial controller or director of finance in industry the hours could be brutal too. And there's weekend, and there could be travel.

During quarterly closing I always worked at least 60 hours a week.

Obviously the pay is much higher though.

FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
REG - 10/15/10 - 95

[Anonymous]

Big 4 in DC area out of college w 150 undergrad credits w no experience is about 55k base salary +1-2k starting bonus +5k passing cpa in first year bonus +10-15% salary increase yearly in ok economy (no increase last year). Base salary varies on location so Baltimore is about 5k less than DC because cost of living is less.

[msm3579]

BShep,

I am in Florida!

FAR: Passed 4/12 | BEC: Passed 5/31 | AUD: Passed 7/19 | REG: Passed 8/30

[airhol2]

I work in one of the larger midsize public acc firms in NYC and im pretty sure the starting salary out of school is $52k-$55k range. What I cant get a handle on is how much an Audit Manager will make. Im hoping to have that answered in a month or so when my firm does promotions….

[financeguy]

There is a new report out. I will summarize the big take away from it:

In order to reach December 2007 pre-recession unemployment levels, the USA will need to add 166,000 jobs per month for the next 11 years.

https://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/CEPR.pdf

I have explained this before on here, and I will explain it again. Accountants/Auditors/CPA's are like derivatives. Without underlying businesses, there is no need for an accountant/auditor/cpa. The only possible way for CPA jobs to expand is if businesses are created, and other businesses expand.

If businesses shrink, the demand for CPA jobs will shrink. When the demand for CPA's shrink, and there is far more supply of CPA's than demand, you will see the wages shrink.

So if you believe that businesses in America are going to grow in the near future, then by all means, hold off for that great paying job.

On the other hand, if you have done your homework, you will know that there is no evidence of business expansion in the near future, and jobs are going to be even tougher to come by.

I don't give a sh*t what kind of education/work experience/license you have…in the near future $45K/year is going to be a salary most people will beg for.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[msm3579]

One thing about reports they are always skewed to what the author wants to say!

Bottom line, if you are an average worker you will get average pay. If you bring something special to the company you will get paid more.

I am over the doom and gloom message.

Right out of college with my BA in 2008 I was making $42k, in January 2010 with an MBA I moved to a different industry, I jumped to $52k plus a raise when I pass the CPA. I am good at what I do! I have been here less than 7 months and getting a $2,500 bonus.I also have great benefits, work 40 hours a week and get some study time in at work.

Yes there might be more applicants in the job market but make yourself stick out! Talk to a Accounting recruiter in your area they should be able to tell you what you should be making.

FAR: Passed 4/12 | BEC: Passed 5/31 | AUD: Passed 7/19 | REG: Passed 8/30

[NJCPA2B]

I would not pay any attention to anything from that website zerohedge.com. It's a far right wing blog for nuts! The producer of the website is an x-criminal from Europe who lost his trading license for fraud and theft at a wall street firm……That site has already been exposed by mainstream media, Newseek, Wall Street Journal ect…

BEC=77, FAR=78, REG=73,74,80, AUD=70,69, 84 DONE!

[financeguy]

John Schmitt is a Senior Economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington,

D.C. Tessa Conroy is a graduate student in economics at Colorado State University and a research

intern at CEPR.

Data is based on the Congressional Budget Office projections.

If you didn't simply make assumptions you would know that the blog publishes reports and articles from other authors. It also adds its own comments to some of the reports. I gave the link to the full report published by Center for Economic and Policy Research. There is zero comments by the ZH authors.

AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
Done!

[msm3579]

Does anyone know anything about Center for Economic and Policy Research?

I was not to impressed with their website https://www.cepr.net/

FAR: Passed 4/12 | BEC: Passed 5/31 | AUD: Passed 7/19 | REG: Passed 8/30

[Author]

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