[Northern_Tide]

What range should I looking for if I had passed the exam but dont have the accounting work experience?

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https://t.me/pump_upp

[cpa1982]

I also would like to know the answer!

[Anonymous]

Google Robert Half Salary Guide as it will vary greatly based on your location. Those of us in middle America don't make quite as much 🙂

[Anonymous]

Salary range for an accountant who has passed the exam but doesn't have any work experience will be essentially the same as accountants who have not passed the exam. Entry level salaries.

With that said, on average, the salary range will likely be a little higher, just due to the fact that applicants who have passed the exams have an edge in the interview process to get them more competitive jobs at better paying companies but you shouldn't necessarily expect to get paid more than a non-CPA passing co-worker.

[mla1169]

It's going to depend on geography in part and what jobs you're applying to. If you're going into industry and seeking an entry level job, having passed the exams won't matter. If you're looking at public it might give you a small boost. Your best bet is to look at a site like glassdoor or salary.com that you can look up by job title and city,

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Northern_Tide]

If you're going into industry and seeking an entry level job, having passed the exams won't matter.

Pretty much this, I am changing careers.

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https://t.me/pump_upp

[Anonymous]

Northern, in industry, being a CPA basically can qualify you for a higher-level job when paired with experience but doesn't entitle you to more pay, aside from the pay that goes with the higher-level job. So, I'd definitely say you're looking at the same pay as someone starting out without the exams passed. However, after you complete the experience requirement to be a CPA, you might be able to get a better next job than a coworker who started the same time but didn't pass the exams so after – say – 2 years, they have 2 years experience, but you have 2 years experience and are a CPA. So, basically, in industry, CPA is a long-term investment.

[s2sylvir]

I echo those saying it doesn't make a noticeable difference in public accounting. I started the firm simultaneously with 3 others, 2 of us with CPA, and 2 of us without. We had the same base salary, and as far as I know, same raise in our first year. I know, I know, comparing salaries probably fuels potential office politics, especially with coworkers. That's why I have kept my mouth shut since.

Also, what others say about location being a factor seems to be the norm. Within our firm, for example, those working in NY started with a base salary hire higher than those who started in South Carolina office.

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REG - PASS (88)
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[mla1169]

Honestly I wouldn't make a decision based solely on starting entry level salaries. Some people, myself included, are just happier in industry. Entry level folks in industry are often paid hourly so when there is overtime, they're compensated for it. It's been my experience that the big hours in industry fall on those who are at mid level or management level (I.e. our A/R and A/P Folks never had to come in on the Saturdays that the senior accountants and managers did). As lilla said it's the combination of the CPA and experience that pays off in industry. Back in the day most of those entry level jobs went to people without a college education at all. Now that the job market is more competitive employers will list a degree as a requirement but make no mistake they are and will continue to hire experienced high school grads over inexperienced college grads if that's their option. You have to pay your dues either way and having passed the exams won't exempt you from that.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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