Entry-Level Accountant Pay

Accountants do a lot of organizing, calculating and analyzing to help businesses keep accurate records. They can also suggest ways to reduce costs or increase profits. Some accountants focus on specific industries, while others work for a particular type of business or government agency. Some become certified public accountants (CPA), which requires further education and experience.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual income for an accountant is $71,550. But that figure doesn’t distinguish between those with CPA certification and those without it, or between the many different on-the-job titles an accountant might hold. It also doesn’t include self-employed income or compensation from side gigs like teaching accounting courses, coaching other accountants or running a freelance consulting business.

Entry-level accountant pay varies widely depending on your level of experience and the employer you choose to work for. Public accounting firms, such as Deloitte, PwC and Ernst & Young, generally offer higher starting salaries than small nonprofits or smaller private accounting businesses. The size of the company you work for is another factor, with larger organizations often able to afford more competitive salaries and better benefits packages than smaller companies.

In New York City, the average Entry-level accountant salary is $75,275 per year. But there are many factors that affect your salary, including your level of experience and the number of vacation days you get at your job. If you’re looking to boost your salary, consider pursuing further education, earning a CPA certificate or becoming a manager at your company.