🧮 How much does a certified accountant make?
In the U.S., accountants (including CPAs) earn a median $83,680 a year; the lowest-paid 10% earn under $56,020, and the highest-paid 10% earn over $144,090.
Experience and job level matter, and independent work can pay much more; U.S. figures group CPAs with other accountants and auditors.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid workers (10th-percentile cutoff) | $56,020 | BLS 10th-percentile cutoff |
| Typical worker (median) | $83,680 | BLS median |
| Highest-paid workers (90th-percentile cutoff) | $144,090 | BLS 90th-percentile cutoff |
Certified accountant salary in Japan: about $54K a year
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid workers (10th-percentile cutoff) | $4,668 | $153 |
| Typical worker (median) | $6,973 | $229 |
| Highest-paid workers (90th-percentile cutoff) | $12,008 | $395 |
About $40 an hour
Where does the money come from?
How pay changes with experience
| Stage | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New hire with a bachelor's degree at a public accounting firm | $60,834 Estimate | Typical starting salary in the 2025 MAP survey, based on fiscal 2024. (Source) |
| New hire with a master's degree at a public accounting firm | $67,750 Estimate | Typical starting salary in the 2025 MAP survey, based on fiscal 2024. (Source) |
| Equity partner or owner of a public accounting firm | $202,521 Estimate | Typical pay for equity partners and owners in the 2025 MAP survey. (Source) |
How do you become a certified accountant?
In the United States, start with a college degree in accounting or a related field. To become a licensed CPA, meet your state’s education rules, pass all four CPA Exam sections, gain the required work experience, and apply to the state board.
- Finish high school and go to college.
- Study accounting or a related subject in college.
- Meet your state's rules and pass all four CPA Exam sections.
- Gain work experience under a licensed CPA.
- Apply for a license from your state's Board of Accountancy.
Qualifications and exams
U.S. CPA licenses are issued by states. Candidates must pass all four CPA Exam sections and meet the education and work-experience rules of the state where they apply.
A day as a certified accountant
In a typical U.S. workday, an accountant checks a company’s records and invoices and fixes mismatches. Later, they review financial statements, write a report, and explain problems or improvements to company staff. Work can get busy near deadlines.
Common questions
What is starting pay at a U.S. accounting firm?
In the 2025 survey of public accounting firms, typical starting salary for new hires was $60,834 for bachelor’s degree holders and $67,750 for master’s degree holders, based on fiscal 2024 data. Source
Does accountant pay differ by industry?
In May 2025, typical yearly pay was $93,290 in finance and insurance and $91,940 in company management. Government and accounting services had lower typical pay. Source
Do accountants work extra hours before tax deadlines?
Yes. Accountants often work longer hours at busy times, such as during tax season or quarterly audits. Source
Can you work as an accountant without a CPA license?
Not every accounting job requires a CPA license. But an accountant who files a report with the SEC must be a licensed CPA. Source
What do accountants do besides taxes?
They also check financial statements, organize records, look for risks, and explain their findings to managers or clients. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
Close jobs in official statistics
In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| New full-time CPAs | $26,667–$40,000 | Recruiter estimate for starting pay |
| Typical employed CPA (government average proxy) | $54,053 | MHLW Job Tag 2025 wage-survey figure |
| Rare top earners (some examples reach ¥100M+) | $200,000–$666,667 | CPA career examples from an exam-prep institute |
Close Japanese jobs
Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm
- shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/Occupation/Detail/90
- www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?cycle=0&layout=datalist&page=1&stat_infid=000
- www.jmsc.co.jp/kaikeishi/topics/11491.html
- cpa-net.jp/blog/nensyu
- audit-biz.com/pickup/median_annual_income
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/print/accountants-and-auditors.htm
- www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2025/sep/map-survey-finds-big-jumps-in-cpa-fir
- www.aicpa-cima.com/professional-insights/article/your-road-map-to-the-cpa-exam-a
- www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/toolkit/cpa-exam