Salaries in Accounting

I'm currently a supervisor and handle both assurance and tax work, but I'm still working on my CPA. I suspect I am underpaid, but I'm not sure if the lack of a CPA is the primary reason. W… more

I've been approached about a role with a 25% income increase, but the technical requirements are a significant step up from my current job. I'm concerned about getting overwhelmed while trying… more

What are some comps for managers in corporate accounting? Location in the north east region MCOL. Around 8 years of experience

I’m starting to question whether loyalty is being rewarded at all at senior levels, or if it’s something we just tell ourselves to justify staying. Has anyone seen loyalty really pay off financially?

I’m realizing that negotiating comp feels more uncomfortable now than it did earlier in my career. Has anyone else felt that shift, and if so, how do you approach it without burning bridges?

A recruiter reached out yesterday who wouldn't even send me a job description. They kept pushing for my salary expectations before they'd move forward, but how am I supposed to give a number i… more

What does ‘market rate’ even mean anymore for senior accounting roles? Ranges feel wide, recruiters say one thing, internal bands say another. Interested in how people figure out what they’re really w… more

I was chatting with a new master’s grad today about audit jobs. I told him starting pay is around $85k, and he actually asked why it’s so low and if the economy is crashing. I started in 2020 at $65k,… more

I’m stepping into a senior role much earlier than planned because a coworker is retiring early due to health reasons. My 2-year training plan got cut down to just one month. I’m happy to step up, but … more

What is the salary for auditor operations at revolut London?

My company always talks about "promoting from within," but after two years here, I’m still not seeing it in my paycheck. I’ve been taking on way more work lately, and they keep saying I’m do… more

Quick question. Big 4 SM audit or technical accounting advisory, Atlanta or Dallas. What is your base right now?

A coworker mentioned they got a raise at their 6-month mark, but I just passed mine, and my pay stayed the same. Our roles and performance are pretty similar. How do I bring this up with my manager to… more

Need a pulse check on compensation as I am at the cross roads again. 16 years of experience in financial services, 5 years big 4, 5 years consulting and the last 6 in the banking industry. Currently I… more

Is pay compression becoming the biggest issue at senior levels in accounting? With market rates rising quickly, newer hires sometimes come in close to long-tenured employees. Curious whether people th… more

What a fair salary for someone in accounting with 10 years of experience in HCOL? Have public accounting audit experience for 6 years with experience in Big 4 for 3 years. Curious about ranges in both… more

Would more compensation transparency at senior levels actually improve pay outcomes, or just create tension? Transparency helps early career, but it’s less clear how it plays out later on..

Does the highest-paying path in accounting almost always come with the highest burnout? It often feels like the roles with the strongest comp trajectories demand the most hours and mental load. Curiou… more

How predictable do you think long-term compensation actually is in accounting careers? Early on, the path looks structured — titles, bands, expected raises — but later it feels like outcomes vary wide… more

How much does actual role scope matter for compensation versus title alone? Two people with the same title can have very different responsibilities, but pay doesn’t always reflect that difference.

I’ve been at my first accounting job for a year now. I’m making $40k doing AP and month-end stuff, but I just realized new grads in my area usually start at $52k. Is it unreasonable to ask for a $12k … more

I recently graduated and landed my first accounting job at 23, where I'll be making $68k/year. It’s a small company (around 25 employees) in an HCOL area, and basically took the first job I was of… more

At the manager level, how much does firm size really matter for long-term earnings? Do people see meaningful differences between Big 4, national, regional, and industry paths as careers progress?

I work for a small company, and my whole team quit earlier this month, right before year-end. So I’m basically handling the entire close by myself this year. It’s a nightmare, but I’m thinking of aski… more

What tends to have a bigger impact long term: staying in public longer or moving to industry at the right time? Both paths get talked about a lot, but outcomes seem very different depending on timing.

For those at the senior or manager level in accounting/tax — what factors actually drive long-term comp growth? Is it staying in public longer, switching firms, specializing, moving to industry, or so… more

Big4 tax managers, what are you guys currently making? Lets poll up some data for 2026 as the performance year is closing soon.

I really want to ask for a raise, but I’m paranoid about looking like I’m rushing things. I started here a little less than a year ago, and I don't want to ruin my reputation. How did you decide w… more

Trying to sanity check comp — what are tax accountants making in California right now by city (LA, SF, SD, etc.)? Feels like COL keeps going up but I’m not sure pay is.

Been thinking about comp lately. I like my team and the work is fine, but raises haven’t really kept up with the added responsibility. Feels like every real pay bump I see comes from switching jobs, n… more

What’s the best way to tell if you're getting paid fairly in your first year? I'm seeing a lot of job posts with higher base salaries than mine, and now I’m worried I started too low. I’m new … more

What is standard pay increase from a Tax S3>M1? Going from $100K-$120K in a MCOL/HCOL area in FL.

My company's CEO recently said that only the top performers doing exceptional work will get real raises, and everyone else just gets inflation adjustments. Does this seem like a bad move for reten… more

I accepted my offer fresh out of college in May without negotiating (rookie mistake, I know). I was just so excited to have a job. But now, I think I left money on the table. When it's time for my… more

Anyone else feel weird realizing new hires are coming in close to (or above) your salary?
Not mad at them — just questioning the system.

I’ve noticed every real pay increase I’ve had came from changing jobs, not from internal raises. I don’t love job-hopping, but the math makes it hard to ignore. Have internal promotions actually moved… more

Would you take a lateral offer if the pay is flat but the benefits are a huge upgrade? My current firm’s retirement match is tiny. This new offer has a much better 401k and cheaper premiums, so my TC … more

I'm halfway through my CPA exams and wondering if I should take a break. With busy season on the horizon, I think I'm going to be overwhelmed. Does passing the CPA actually lead to a big pay j… more

Management is offering stay-put bonuses to keep our team together since everyone's quitting, but the office vibe is pretty toxic right now. I’m trying to weigh the extra cash against just finding … more