[I Got This]

Hello

I recently received a job offer from a large private company in downtown Cleveland as a Tax Analyst with 1 to 3 year experience. I’m super excited about the position, but the salary is lower than I thought. They are offering 50k.

I am a CPA and have one year of experience in fixed asset accounting. Part of that old job is doing sales tax calculations.

I compared this 50k to Robert Half Salary Guide and Salary.com and it is considered low in pay. I plan to negotiate of course.

Am I shooting myself in the foot for this? What do you guys think? I know Cleveland is a lot cheaper than NYC, Chicago, etc. but I’m still curious.

What websites do you guys use to find a salary range? Does the job offer seem reasonable? Advice, tips, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

We can do this. It is a difficult journey, but it'll feel wonderful once we are done. Then at that time, we'll reap in all the benefits.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

I just moved to CLE from DC and I plan on going into tax myself. A CPA with 1 year exp for $50K seems about right honestly for the market here (although this is a guess, I can't base it off experience). Ask about end of year bonus.

Update the result once you get it, I'm curious to see what you get.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[mw798]

With only 1 year experience, $50k to $55k is what you would get in DC. Now Cleveland is a much cheaper market than DC so $50k seems average and not low at all.

[SoFlaAuditor]

After one year, I was making 52K in South Florida in public accounting before passing the CPA. Private would've been higher but I imagine salaries are a bit higher down here than Cleveland.

REG - 83
BEC - 81
AUD - 73, 92
FAR - 90

Done!

[ThatTaxDude]

Negotiate definitely. I had one year of experience with no CPA yet. 48K in Texas as Tax Analyst.

[I Got This]

Just thought I would give you guys an update.

Well I negotiated with this company and they didn't budge at all. Tried to work in some parking costs for downtown, year end bonus = Nothing. We parted ways on good terms. I just can't see myself making a smaller salary than where I am now. Unless the overall package was good, but not in this case.

I've focused my attention towards tax public accounting since this will give me more opportunities and experiences than hanging out in private. By the way I'm 24, so I can jump back into private at a later time if need be.

We can do this. It is a difficult journey, but it'll feel wonderful once we are done. Then at that time, we'll reap in all the benefits.

[TiffaNiffaNi]

If I were you, I would aim for $55k+. I'm in Ohio (Akron) as well and what's bringing us down is that so many CPAs around here are willing to work for $40k. “Oh, you want more than $50k? Well, we have 15 other applicants that I'm sure would work for even less.” Insanity.

Also, the CPA designation does not impress all industries or employers in private. I have found that many of them could care less. If I were you, since you are young, I would serve your time (i.e. public) as having a firm on your resume seems to command more respect than those three little letters we worked our A$$e$ off to get.

End rant.

FAR: 7/17/14- 79
AUD: 8/20/14- 91
REG: 10/1/14- 88
BEC: 11/10/14- 85

Becker Self-Study

[Author]

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