What Do Accounting Positions Pay?

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 2009 Robert Half Salary Guide,

Public accounting salaries ranged from:

In public accounting (audit, tax, and management services): $45,750 - $56,000 (small firm) to $50,000 - $62,500 (medium firm) to $56,500 – $69,250 (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 $83,250 - $111,250 (small firms) to $91,000 - $135,750 (medium firms) to $101,750 - $159,500 (large firms).
Starting partners in public accounting firms can average about $150,000 - $200,000 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): $37,750 - $49,000 (small company) to $44,500 - $60,000 (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 $48,500 – $71,750 (midsize company) to $51,500 - $78,250 (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 $66,000 - $86,750 (in a company with up to $50 million in sales) to $130,250 - $384,000 (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 Class of 2008 Salary Survey, the average starting offer to accounting graduates was $48,020.

For more information on accounting salaries, click here.

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