[1dayatatime]

What is the standard starting salary for a college graduate in the midst of the CPA exams?

Junior Auditor: ?

Junior Tax: ?

Staff Accountant: ?

AUD - Pass
REG - Pass
BEC - Pass
FAR - Pass

[Nessie]

Lilla,

It's important you mention the cost of living. And I agree with you. I am in NYC and starting salary is $59k for MBA's- which is ridiculous. Rent is $3000/month++ for a one bedroom unless you want to live in a dangerous neighborhood and risk your life on the subway each day. Groceries are also very expensive in NYC relative to anywhere else, so really the city people are under paid. If you want to take a job here, you had better have parents or a partner who support you for the first part of your career!

AUD - 80
BEC - 84
FAR - 80
REG - 88

Using Becker Self-Study, Final Review and NINJA MCQs
Sat for BEC Dec 6th, 2016 !!!! 84!!!!!

REG Aug 20/15: 88
AUD: Feb 29/16: 80
FAR: Jun 10/16: 80
BEC?

Becker self-study, Becker Final Review & NINJA MCQS

[EuroAddict]

@Nessie – just live outside the city and train it in. I have friends in Astoria that do that.

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[itsanaccrualworld]

I can speak only to los angeles but here's what i see:

60k for entry level staff accountant in Los Angeles
60-65k for staff accountants 6-12 months in
Around 70k for experienced staff i.e. over 1 year experience

And its fair to include an extra 3-6k for all the expenses that get reimbursed or comp'd for example (run some lunch/some gas costs through to client)

AUD - 75
BEC - 80
FAR - 75
REG - 78

It can be done!

FAR - 75
REG - 69, September 16
BEC - 80
AUD - 69, October 16

[mtaylo24]

Started out as a Staff Accountant at around $37K back in 2011 out here in Richmond, VA. That was after getting my Post-bacc cert, they didn't both to factor in my bachelors.

As I was leaving, we were hiring new grads at $40K

CPA (2017)

REG:  75

BEC:  76

FAR:  77

AUD: 78

 

CMA (2019)

P1: 380

P2: 360

AUD - 1st - 60 (12/12), 61 (2/13), 61 (8/13), 78! (11/15)
REG - 55 (2/16) 69 (5/16) Retake(8/16)
BEC - 71(5/16) Retake (9/16)
FAR - (8/16)

[Demha]

@itsanaccrualworld What is the job market like in LA for Accountants? Is there a big business hub there? I know the city is swarmed by the media and fashion industries but I never heard much about business services. Also, about how many Accounting firms would you say are located in LA? A lot of questions, I know haha but seriously a few long-time friends recently moved to the Sherman Oaks area and were telling me to check it out after I graduated but I just didn't think the job market was safe since it's such an overpopulated city.

Using Gleim w/ Ninja Notes and Another71.com Forum Secrets

FAR - 58, 65, 70, 65
AUD - Ninja in Training
REG - Ninja in Training
BEC - Ninja in Training

Gleim baby!
Grand Valley State University - '15
Accounting & Finance
FAR - 2nd Window '16

[Anonymous]

It really matters if it's public accounting vs private, the size of the firm, corporation, etc.

Big four 50k-58k dependent on cost of living around the office
Mid tier a couple thousand more (in the beginning)
Small firm – probably depends, all in all I'd guess 50k

Corporate I think will give you a little boost, I could be wrong. I assume 55k-60k. Similar to smaller firms, probably a lower salary ceiling after many promotions.

[itsanaccrualworld]

job market for accountants in los angeles has good growth potential for different firms. plenty of industries that correspond to the growth too, not limited to just entertainment and apparel. for larger midtier firms there is a lot of growth potential in the southern california region, and firms need to support that growth. that means more job opportunities. Big 4 obviously experience a bit of diminishing returns compared to mid tier here. Not sure how many firms are out here, you could probably look it up. but definitely a good amount of small practices, mid tier's, regionals, and of course the big 4's

AUD - 75
BEC - 80
FAR - 75
REG - 78

It can be done!

FAR - 75
REG - 69, September 16
BEC - 80
AUD - 69, October 16

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

Middle of the road cost of living:

I started as a college grad in cost accounting and financial reporting at 44k with a 15% bonus. Three years experience, a CPA, and promotion I am at 80k base and 10% bonus.

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[CPA CMA]

A local firm in South Dakota, started last summer as a staff accountant, with master's degree and all exams passed, 42k. No raise yet.

CPA, CMA

Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) 12/17/2014

BEC 76 (10/3/14)
FAR 75 (10/24/14)
REG 83 (4/6/15)
AUD 75 (4/20/15)
Anticipated Licensure: August 2016

CMA part 1 passed (6/15/15)
CMA part 2 Passed (9/4/15)
Anticipated Licensure: August 2017

[Operation_CPA]

NY Metro Big 4 ~58k

FAR - 76 (Lost credit), 76
AUD - 80
BEC - 76
REG - 75

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

[Anonymous]

@FIFO that's awesome… what state? public or private?

[l3rittany75]

Check out Glassdoor they have great information about salaries in relation to where you work.

NYC – Big 4

First Year no experience (without bonus)
Audit – 59K
Tax- 69K

BEC: 78!! (10/15)
REG: 75!!!! (2/16)
FAR: 72, 72, 81!!! (7/16)
AUD:63 Retake: 9/16

"The only way you can fail the CPA Exam is by quitting."

[FIFOisbetterthanLIFO]

@cpa8488, Oregon, private, manufacturing

FAR - Passed (82)
BEC - Passed (76)
AUD - Passed (89)
REG - Passed! (81)
AICPA Ethics

Licensed CPA

[Anonymous]

Atlanta, Non-Big 4, top 8 in the region I think. I'm in tax.

Started at $52k, 6 months $1.5k raise and $2k bonus, promoted 1.5 years $6.5k raise $5k bonus, 2.5 years $14k raise and $4.5k bonus.

Duel degree in finance and accounting. CPA my first year working. No masters.

Well see what happens in 2.5 months.

[msgolds]

I started in the DC area as a Staff Auditor for a government agency, making about 42k. Five years later, I'm making considerably more, salaries in this industry rise quickly if you put in the work.

BEC - 90 PASSED
FAR - 84 PASSED
AUD - 93 PASSED
REG - 84 PASSED

I DID IT!!!!

Using Becker Self-Study

"If we were put here to carry a great weight, then the very things we hate are here to build those muscles."

[Author]

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