How much does a CPA make?

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  • #158131
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Can someone tell me whats the minimum that the CPA can get. I know its based on the experience and everything. But assume that with a CPA license and very less experience..whats the minimum that a CPA makes?

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 41 total)
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  • #282339
    italianCPA
    Participant

    I can speak for the private industry.

    A CPA license itself won't increase your salary.

    However, having a CPA license gives the candidate a competitive advantage in getting a job.

    And usually managerial positions (fin controller, dir of finance, cfo) in the finance dept of small/medium sized companies pay in the 6-figure range.

    FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
    AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
    BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
    REG - 10/15/10 - 95

    #282340
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Well I have completed by CPA recently ..i work as a Manager, Fin for a small co. and what i get paid if FAR behind from 6 fig. the job i perform was done by a CPA earlier….he quit and i think its time for me too…

    #282341
    italianCPA
    Participant

    I agree with him.

    Indutries are also different.

    There are “rich” industries and “poor” industries.

    Also, the smaller the company, the smaller the salary, usually.

    FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
    AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
    BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
    REG - 10/15/10 - 95

    #282342
    italianCPA
    Participant

    Also, location is a factor.

    The same position in NYC will pay far more than the same position in El Paso, TX, for example.

    FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
    AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
    BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
    REG - 10/15/10 - 95

    #282343
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    yea rite… but still the question is how less can that be?

    #282344
    financeguy
    Participant

    You are going into unprecedented times with the way the economy is. The minimum of what you will make is what a company decides you are worth.

    You are going to experience big wage deflation in the USA, so I wouldn't exactly compare to wages of the past 10 years. Even w/ a CPA license, there is far more supply of labor then there is demand, and so you are going to have to be competetive w/ your salary.

    I would keep in mind that a possible reason why you are getting a lower salary than you expect is because the company you work for is not making enough profits to pay any higher at the moment. It may be a smart move by that company in order to weather out this recession. Meanwhile you may have another company paying a lot more salary for the position, and you could very well see that company out of business in the near future.

    AUD - 81, BEC - 74, 80, FAR - 82, REG - 81
    Done!

    #282345
    Ness
    Participant

    What about on the public side? What can one expect from the big 4s to the medium to the small firms? Just in general for a new CPA with no experience?

    BEC 7/20/10 88 (90 hours)
    AUD 8/27/10 73 (65 hours), retake 11/22/10 81 (75 hours)
    FAR 10/28/10 80 (157 hours)
    REG 1/7/10 extended to 1/17/10 78 (130 hours) I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    #282346
    potatogun
    Participant

    For Big4 you basically need the CPA (or whatever your area's license would be) to be a manager (or even senior now). Having the CPA doesn't really bump your salary inherently as you have to be worthy of promotion still. You do get the bonus if you complete the test parts within the time frames ($5k in 1yr, $3k? in 2yrs, etc).

    Also if you have no experience you wouldn't be licensed anyways, but I think having passed the parts is something to land you a job over someone else. You really need to specify location too.

    In CA, $50k starting is a normal range for new audit associates out of college. Seniors don't really make that much more, especially with bonuses not being so great for the past couple years. Big4 isn't about big pay since you want to use it to get you into industry afterwards for a salary bump.

    FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

    #282347
    GSU Josh
    Participant

    I don't see any reason why a licensed CPA (1 year experience), which will be my situation in about 2 months, should make any less than $45-50,000. I worked with no experience and no CPA during 2009 for $40,800 plus bonuses. Got laid off and have been working through the CPA exam, and I'm finally almost done. Only BEC left (certain I just passed AUD as it was my second time taking it). When I get done, I will be able to get my license. I would work for $45,000 just because of the horrid job market, but I would expect to get raises/promotions after proving myself.

    AUD - 74, 87; BEC - 84; FAR - 78; REG - 79
    It's done, Son!

    #282348
    tableleg
    Participant

    What is the salary progression for CPA's in a CPA practice? In other words, how soon and how much are the pay raises?

    #282349
    msm3579
    Participant

    Or you could just start in industry and forgot about the long hours and low pay for the Big 4! I work in nonprofit I have my MBA I started at $52k I work 40 hrs a week and get a raise once I pass the CPA. I been here less than 6 months and have already recieved a bonus.

    Got to love it!

    FAR: Passed 4/12 | BEC: Passed 5/31 | AUD: Passed 7/19 | REG: Passed 8/30

    #282350
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    msm3579,

    what state?

    #282351
    NJCPA2B
    Participant

    The job market looks real good for accountants and auditors and jobs are expected to grow faster than most occupations.

    The link below is from the bureau of labor statistics.

    https://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm

    but I'm sure some in this forum will disagree with the figures and government economists…..

    BEC=77, FAR=78, REG=73,74,80, AUD=70,69, 84 DONE!

    #282352
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    In a small(er) town in PA, I was making salary of $41,000 right out of college. Plus, we were compensated for overtime per hour, so you were looking at $45,000-$46,000.

    #282353
    italianCPA
    Participant

    NJCPA2B,

    I would pick the World Cup octopus over any government economist. At least you know the octopus isn't biased.

    Private industry, which is most of us aim for (since it pays more than public) definitely doesn't look great.

    FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
    AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
    BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
    REG - 10/15/10 - 95

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