[Singularity77]

Just curious … if this is all worth it!

What is the highest CPA’s salary that you know of?

What does the highest-earning CPA you know of earn, per year?

I am not talking about a CPA that ends up doing something other than CPA career stuff…

Thanks!

[fldwtch87]

Singularity,

It's not that CPAs are “aiming too low” – it's about what the marketplace is willing to pay. Most of our salary desires are out of our control.

I hope one day you find a job in HR and start increasing the market rate for future CPAs 🙂

FAR - 53, 71, 71, 78
AUD - 56, 75
BEC - 83
REG - 42, 42, 74

[WileyoleYaeger]

I had a professor in college (he was actually my tax accounting professor) who told us point blank “If you are not making six figures within 2 years of having your CPA you are doing it wrong.” Now I don't know how true that is. I don't have my CPA yet, but the few people I do know that have achieved their goal of getting their CPA aren't making $100k+. They are working in management roles (CPA shows people that you can learn and apply stuff) and they are happy. I plan on getting my CPA some time within the next year or two, but I have found, if you really want to make money, don't get into accounting accounting. Get into business valuation, get into consulting, get into other things that require an understanding of where money goes, and where it comes from.

I lucked into my job where I am making more than most CPA's right out the gate. I don't have a masters, but I busted tail and I am where I am with a nicer title than most. I don't want to stay where I am but in order to move up I need either an MBA or a CPA, and I don't want to throw down the $120k to go to a reputable MBA program. Give me a CPA for less than $7k and I am fine. It's all about the cost benefit. Find what you have to do to make the money you believe you can live with, and work towards that.

Another option is using your CPA as a means to work with attorneys. Go offer your skills to the highest bidder who is dealing with a divorce case, or a settlement of some sort. That requires the help of a trained accountant, and provides nice $ (I have done this on a number of occasions). The options on ways to reach your $175k/yr goal (or whatever it was) is possible, you just have to work, be creative, and not expect somebody to give it to you.

[Anonymous]

My boss is a CPA and she is at $101k in university administration.

[Anonymous]

If you want a job that pays more than $200k, be ready to become an entrepreneur or have so much pressure on your shoulders that you're in risk of losing your job on a quarter-to-quarter basis.

Accountants don't get paid the most, nor do we have the most rewarding job. What we do have is a mindset that sets us apart from other professionals and they depend on us to make sense of complex issues and put it in simple-to-understand terms and formats. That's where we build value. I'm a forensic accountant primarily for family law cases and our billing rate is on par with attorneys. We don't have the constant pressure or deadlines as a Big 4 staff, but we do incorporate the urgency and high quality output as a Big 4 firm because that's what we've been trained to do.

The only way to make a LOT of money as an accountant is to become partner or start your own firm and work for yourself. I'm in it for the security and satisfaction knowing that other professionals depend on me. The money comes with the amount of effort, skills, and reputation you obtain along the way. Good luck w/ your career.

“I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.” – Taken

I want that on my business card lol.

[masa_inn]

This thread is legendary on so many levels.

/Stinson out/

FAR
AUD 02/10/14 passed
BEC
REG

Roger, WTB, Ninja materials

[calicpa]

I think a lot of CPAs are aiming *way* too low, in terms of salary goals and expectations.

I agree with this

BEC - 84, 4/6/13
AUD - 77, 5/28/13
REG - 83, 4/12/14
FAR - 83, 10/3/13

Ethics - 90% 4/24/13

150 unit education requirement met!
Work experience met!

[Wolfchicken]

I make around $40k a year at public accounting firm. My

Hubby and I are barely scrapping by as we live in an area with a high cost of living and wages that don't reflect it. I mean you can't find a decent home to buy that's less than $280,000 and good luck finding a decent house to rent that's less than $1,600 a month. I'm starting to think I need to relocate

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[wannabeCPA123]

Where I live, SF bay Area….

I see Senior accounts in industry (2-4 years Big 4 experience usually required) make about 90 to 100K. Managers at the Big 4 leave and make around 100 to 120 plus in industry.

When I audit payroll in the bay area, I usually see senior accountants making 80k-100k. Staff make around 60 to 70K. Managers make around 130 to 140K and controllers make more than 150+.

Directors of Finance or Financial reporting make 170 to 200k.

However, 100K and even 150K isn't really that much money in the Bay Area. especially when an normal average sized Track house is 700K to million dollars.

FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!

[Future Ninja]

check this site:

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132011.htm#st

AUD - 79 (expired) retaking July 28,2016
FAR - 76 expiring July 31, 2016
BEC - 85
REG - 74,74,74,74,59,70,

[BEACPA]

FAR - 2/28/14 PASS Praise be to God!
AUD - 7/5/14 PASS Praise be to God!
BEC - 11/29/14PASS Praise be to God!
REG - 2/28/14 PASS Praise be to God!

[mw798]

In my experience in the Baltimore/Washington DC metro area, a CPA with 5 to 8 years experience can see the below ranges:

Big 4 as Manager: $85k to $110k

Fortune 1000 Company as Senior Accountant to Director: $85k to $140k (plus bonus range from 10% to 20%)

Federal Government Auditor or Accountant to Audit/Accounting Manager: $85k to $125k

[BEACPA]

@WileyoleYaeger,

I agree with you for the most part. You have to get out there and sell yourself. However, it's not the norm for most CPAs to be making 100k after 2 years. Most are still doing grunt work for a CPA firm. Their better off getting their 2 years experience at a public firm and then moving on. Personally, we're all wired differently and I found the public firms too cut throat. I left and I'm now making 87K now and have a 40 hour week. I hope to be at over 100k in a few years or less.

FAR - 2/28/14 PASS Praise be to God!
AUD - 7/5/14 PASS Praise be to God!
BEC - 11/29/14PASS Praise be to God!
REG - 2/28/14 PASS Praise be to God!

[REG-FTW86]

I'm in management right now (not finance/accounting) and I can say if I were to move to public accounting I'd take a pay cut. I know what CPA's are making in Las Vegas and it boggles my mind what they make and the amount of work they put in because they are salary. Believe it's $60k with CPA. A friend told me they know someone making $45k in Las Vegas and has passed all exams but doesn't have certificate because of experience.

The best way for a CPA to make great money is to be well rounded and get into an executive position with a private/public company (not public accounting). It's that simple. You will make $200k+/yr plus bonus and some offer stock options. You have to put in the work to get there though. Majority of Las Vegas strip CEO's and CFO's are CPA's. I always hear companies talking about becoming more financially sound and they need CPA's to take them there. They want good CPA's working for them. CPA's is the future but that certificate alone will not get you to the top. You have to be more than a CPA. You have to be a leader, team player, strong Emotional Intelligence (humility/empathy), and have a strong work ethic. You also have to love what you do. I interviewed for a finance position last year (before even considering attempting the CPA) and didn't get it, the current controller got it which is understandable because he had 20+ more years experience than I did. I was told by director of finance “If you are really serious about Finance then go and get your CPA or MBA because it will be very beneficial in your future.” He is a CPA. That's why I'm doing it. I want to get into corporate finance. They want CPA's and they are in high demand.

Regulation For The Win!

FAR 57, 62, 77
BEC 70,77
AUD 54,78
REG 66, 62, 7/29

FAR.BEC.AUD.AUD.BEC.FAR.FAR.REG.REG

Roger CPA Review / Ninja MCQ Supplement

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time - Thomas Edison

[Anonymous]

It all depends what you are doing and how long you've been doing it. I've been in accounting for over 20 years and a not a CPA (yet) and almost at 6 figures..

[OnMyWay732]

I don't think the question should be ‘What is the highest salary of a CPA?'. It should be, ‘What is the highest salary of an accountant without a CPA'?

In NJ, the answer to the latter is most likely 80k or so after years and years and years and years. Once you have your CPA it isn't going to earn you 200k on the spot, but it won't cap you off at that ~80 mark. You could stay a staff accountant in private and cap at 120, or move up the ladder and earn 150. You could be in public, become a partner, become a regional partner, earn 250+ (again, this is after 20 years or so). You could become CFO of a large multi-national firm and earn millions (think Apple, Google, etc.).

And I agree from an older post on this thread 200k in NJ is probably a good spot to live comfortably without worrying. My wife and I right now make about 150k combined, no kids. We're saving for our next home. Once we have it, we'll still want to save but don't NEED to like we are now. Add in a kid or two, maybe a dog, the higher mortgage, vacations are already included but they'll be more expensive as there is a kid involved now, day care…I would say 200k in Jersey is about right.

AUD - July 2014 - 76
REG - August 2014 - 82
FAR - November 2014 - 78
BEC - January 2015 - 81

DONE!!!!

Used Becker online. Who needs a text when you can burn your eyes out staring at the screen for months on end?

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you're hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

[Author]

Replies