[jamesjohnson11]

I have an offer at a small firm around 30-50 people and the position is entry level audit associate, but I am not happy with the salary.

When asked what salary i am looking for I said around the low 50’s no less than high 40’s and he told me thats unrealistic. I told him I am coming off a 150 credit program and will be a cpa soon and low 40’s is too little but he said it doesnt matter.

I would like to know from anyone who knows starting salary for audit at a small firm.

If you don’t want to say an exact number I don’t even care just give me a general range because I certainly feel I am being lowballed and should be getting more.

R PASS
A PASS
B PASS
F AUGUST

[jelly]

How much prior bookkeeping or audit experience do you have? How many parts passed? How many decent paying clients are you bringing to the firm?

And do you know how much you really cost the employer, even if you are part of a deductible business expense to the company? Let's say @ $42,000, fill in the blanks and do the math:

1) $42,000 salary offer

2) 7.65% employer's FICA match

3) incremental increase in state's unemployment insurance (UI) for your salary

4) incremental increase in worker's compensation for your salary

5) incremental increase in professional liability and E&O insurance

6) incremental increase in disability insurance – can vary, depending on who picks up the short-term and long-term disability

7) employer's portion of health/medical insurance

8) additional administrative costs for fringe benefits such as 401k, pre-tax health accounts, pre-tax transportation reimbursement, life insurance

9) additional fees for UI claims if the company's business goes south and you separate involuntarily

While some of these are incremental, i.e. an extra $23, imagine if you were a contractor to them and had to shoulder these costs yourself, so you are benefiting from the economy of scale the employer offers.

Couldn't pass again!

[Anonymous]

@Amalgamate In what part of Ohio are you located?

[Anonymous]

Considering the amount of education and hard work it takes to become a CPA, I think the OP has every right to frustrated. It disgusts me that I personally know high school drop outs (and not the sharpest pencils in the pack either mind you) who are making a lot more than that with a hell of a lot less responsibility. The simple truth is the market is over saturated with inexperienced young grads and CPA firms will low ball the hell out of them because they can. Why pay more if you know someone with the same credentials will do the same job for less? Even if they deserve a better wage? If the ecomony ever gets out of the gutter then things will improve but I wouldn't count on it happening anytime soon.

[Resacups]

I am in Atlanta and my firm has 25 professionals and first year salary is 50K plus bonus.

BEC: 01/09/12 PASSED
AUD: 05/29/12 PASSED
REG: 07/19/12 PASSED
FAR: 11/12/12 PASSED

[Anonymous]

@chakdey – Columbus, OH

[Author]

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