The CPA Profession

A CPA – Certified Public Accountant – is a financial professional who speaks the language of business.

Do I have what it takes?

Communication skills.
Can you tell your clients what they need to know in a language they'll understand?
Problem-solving abilities.
Can you analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures and come up with innovative solutions?
Comfort with technology.
Can you understand accounting software packages and computers?
Comfort with numbers.
While you don't need to be a math whiz, are you comfortable with numbers and accuracy?
People skills.
Do you like interacting with clients and working as a team?
Ethical standards.
Are you prepared to help people make important life decisions and maintain trust?

More information about careers as an accountant or auditor can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What kind of job could I have?

How much money will I make?

A career in accounting provides individuals with a competitive entry-level salary and long-term growth potential – particularly those who have earned CPA certification.

According to the 2008 Robert Half Salary Guide,

Public accounting salaries ranged from:

In public accounting (audit, tax, and management services): $44,750 - $53,250 (small firm) to $48,750 - $59,500 (medium firm) to $54,500 – $66,250 (large firm) for individuals with one to three years of experience. Individuals with graduate degrees and/or professional certifications, such as the CPA certification, generally earn 10 percent more.
As for long-term growth potential, managers/directors can expect salaries of $80,750 - $105,500 (small firms) to $88,250 - $129,250 (medium firms) to $98,750 - $151,500 (large firms).
Starting partners in public accounting firms average about $150,000 - $175,000 with the potential to earn much more over time.

Business and industry accounting salaries ranged from:

In business and industry (general, tax, and cost accountants): $37,000 - $48,750 (small company) to $41,250 - $54,000 (large company) for individuals with one to three years of experience.
Auditors (internal, IT): $41,750 - $65,000 (small company) to $50,500 - $75,000 (large company) for individuals with one to three years of experience.
Financial, budget, treasury, and cost analysts earn $39,500 – $50,750 (small company) to $45,500 - $61,250 (large company) with one to three years of experience. Those with graduate degrees and professional certifications can generally earn 10 percent more as well.
In business and industry, chief financial officers, managers, directors, controllers, VPs, and treasurers can expect salaries ranging from $64,250 - $83,750 (in a company with up to $50 million in sales) to $132,250 - $370,500 (in a company with more than $500 million in sales). At this level, bonuses and incentives reflect an increasingly large part of overall pay.

Government accounting salaries ranged from:

According to NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) entry level salaries for accounting positions in government averaged about $35,673 (federal) and $36,223 (state).

Also, according to NACE's 2007 Summer Salary Survey, the average starting offer to accounting graduates was $46,292.

Read more about accounting salaries.

*The salaries offered represent the national average. Salaries can vary according to geographical location.