CPA Salary Guide

cpa salary vs accountant

Jobs within each of these industries also provide a wide range of salaries as well. For instance, a tax accountant in public accounting can expect to make a different amount than an auditor working for the same firm with the same level of experience. All four companies offer tax and management consulting, legal advisory services, valuation, market research, and assurance. According to ZipRecruiter, the 25th percentile of accounting salaries for all four firms lies at around $70,000, while the 75th percentile rests at $125,000.

In addition to increased salary potential, the CPA credential can increase your total earnings and provide several other benefits that will strengthen your accounting career. The first big decision a new accountant makes is whether to go into public accounting or private accounting (also called “corporate” or “management” accounting). Despite what the title implies, a Certified Public Accountant can be found working in either sphere.

Geographical Location

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of accountants to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030. This disparity between supply and demand has resulted in accounting departments and CPA firms struggling to find qualified talent.

Is a CPA the same as an accountant?

An accountant is typically a professional who has earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a professional who has earned their CPA license through a combination of education, experience and examination.

It has a workforce of 175,000 people who operate in more than 700 cities in the globe. The firm provides cpa vs accountant a service that is related to consulting, financial audits, financial advisory, taxation, and assurance.

Get The Best Discounts On Your CPA Review Course!

Let’s get a more detailed look into their differences and what they mean. Normally, these accountants have less than two years of work experience and no specialization. For example, daycare can be a considerable expense for young working families, and an on-site daycare could save thousands of dollars and dozens of hours in commuting each year.

  • If you compare a software engineer vs CPA salary, it’s ​$96,861​ and about ​$80,000​.
  • Others become a Certified Fraud Examiner and help businesses and government agencies prevent, detect, and investigate fraud.
  • The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy reports that there are approximately 669,000 actively licensed CPAs, meaning approximately 50% of accountants in the United States are CPAs.
  • And that number is rising quickly thanks to Gleim CPA’s significant advantages over the competition.
  • Many firms in the financial services sector also recruit qualified accountants to handle reporting and compliance functions.

When it comes to accountants’ and auditors’ annual compensation, not all positions pay the same. Choosing an accounting profession in a higher-paying field may yield a considerably better financial return over the course of your career.