It’s good to be curious, no matter what your cat tells you. CPAs are known for seeking out high-quality information and always wanting to know more. However, when it comes to salaries, EVERYONE is curious. How do you measure up? If you choose one field over another, how will it impact your earning potential? Now, we’ve made that information available at your fingertips.
This week, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants announced the results of its 2017 salary survey of U.S. CPAs. Nearly 5,600 people responded, answering questions about current salaries, salary expectations, skills and training. A couple key numbers:
- $119,000: National average annual CPA salary (without bonus)
- 81%: Percentage of CPAs expecting a raise in 2018
As these results show, public accounting is still a strong career choice. But it’s more than just dollars and cents. The survey revealed that half of CPAs are committed to continuing professional development and are actively learning new skills. As the world changes rapidly around us, these new skills will be what set CPAs apart in the job market.
Whether you’ve been a CPA for 20 years, are starting the process to sit for the CPA Exam or are a student deciding on an accounting major, knowing what you can expect to earn is an important piece of the puzzle for your career planning. And sometimes it’s just fun to know: What does an average CPA make in New Jersey? Louisiana? Oregon?
Knowing how CPAs’ salaries differ from state to state provides insight into the work you do and the work you might want to do. It will help you make informed decisions about your career.
If your curiosity has gotten the better of you, visit the Association’s new Salary Insights tool to see where you fall compared to fellow CPAs, or to find out what you might expect to make on a new career path as a CPA. Note: The numbers in the tool are divided by CPA and CPA with the CGMA designation, whereas the numbers in this blog reflect all CPAs who responded to the survey.
Julia Morriss, Manager--Advocacy Communications, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Salaries courtesy of Shutterstock
