{"id":130029,"date":"2024-06-01t00:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-06-01t04:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.g005e.com\/?p=130029"},"modified":"2024-08-29t23:53:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30t03:53:09","slug":"salary-and-compensation-outlook-for-small-cpa-firms-2024-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.g005e.com\/2024\/06\/01\/salary-and-compensation-outlook-for-small-cpa-firms-2024-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"salary and compensation outlook for small cpa firms, 2024-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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cornerstone report<\/strong><\/h2>\n

the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 overview of what accountants can expect regarding annual salary and bonuses at small cpa firms \u2013 and what small cpa firms can expect to budget.<\/em><\/p>\n

by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research<\/em><\/p>\n

a combination of a talent shortage and the general economic environment could push payroll budgets up by as much as 16.9% in 2025 at small cpa firms, according to 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research. but partners and owners could make even more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

the average annual salary for accountants at small cpa firms in the u.s. is approximately $51,762, ranging from $37,000 (25th percentile) to $73,000 (top earners).\u00a0salaries at small cpa firms can range from about $44,725 for an accountant to $52,441 for a junior tax accountant.<\/p>\n

entry-level cpas earn between $44,000 and $84,500 annually, depending on the location and specific role.<\/p>\n

accountants with more experience, particularly those with cpa certification, can earn significantly more. for example, cpas with extensive experience can earn an average salary of $119,000, with those having 20 years of experience potentially earning around $152,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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current compensation levels at small cpa firms, 2024<\/h2>\n

compared to mid-tier, large and big four firms<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
job role<\/strong><\/th>\nsmall firms\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>\nmid-tier firms<\/strong><\/th>\nlarge firms)<\/strong><\/th>\nbig four\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
cpa partner<\/td>\n$140,000 – $150,000<\/td>\n$200,000 – $800,000<\/td>\n$300,000 – $1,000,000<\/td>\n$300,000 – $3,000,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
audit manager<\/td>\n$95,000 – $120,000<\/td>\n$93,500 – $110,000<\/td>\n$98,856 – $110,000<\/td>\n$98,294 – $119,683<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
senior accountant<\/td>\n$73,000 – $90,000<\/td>\n$70,000 – $100,000<\/td>\n$99,398 – $109,860<\/td>\n$91,603 – $120,910<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tax accountant<\/td>\n$62,000 – $79,000<\/td>\n$75,072 – $92,512<\/td>\n$70,000 – $85,000<\/td>\n$62,000 – $85,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
staff accountant<\/td>\n$51,000 – $62,000<\/td>\n$49,000 – $57,250<\/td>\n$57,719 – $69,004<\/td>\n$57,000 – $65,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n
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projected compensation levels at small cpa firms, 2025<\/h2>\n

compared to mid-tier, large and big four firms<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
job role<\/strong><\/th>\nsmall firms<\/strong><\/th>\nmid-tier firms\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>\nlarge firms<\/strong><\/th>\nbig four firms<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
cpa partner<\/td>\n$150,000 – $160,000<\/td>\n$210,000 – $850,000<\/td>\n$320,000 – $1,050,000<\/td>\n$320,000 – $3,200,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
audit manager<\/td>\n$100,000 – $125,000<\/td>\n$98,000 – $115,000<\/td>\n$105,000 – $120,000<\/td>\n$105,000 – $125,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
senior accountant<\/td>\n$78,000 – $95,000<\/td>\n$75,000 – $105,000<\/td>\n$105,000 – $115,000<\/td>\n$100,000 – $130,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
tax accountant<\/td>\n$65,000 – $82,000<\/td>\n$80,000 – $97,000<\/td>\n$75,000 – $90,000<\/td>\n$70,000 – $90,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
staff accountant<\/td>\n$54,000 – $65,000<\/td>\n$52,000 – $60,000<\/td>\n$60,000 – $72,000<\/td>\n$60,000 – $68,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

key changes between 2024 and 2025:<\/h2>\n


\ncpa partner<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • small firms<\/strong>: increased from $128,105 to $150,000, a\u00a017.1%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
  • mid-tier firms<\/strong>: increased from $200,000 to $210,000, a\u00a05.0%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
  • large firms<\/strong>: increased from $300,000 to $320,000, a\u00a06.7%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
  • big four firms<\/strong>: increased from $300,000 to $320,000, a\u00a06.7%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    audit manager<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • small firms<\/strong>: increased from $107,500 to $125,000, a\u00a016.3%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
    • mid-tier firms<\/strong>: increased from $93,500 to $115,000, a\u00a022.9%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
    • large firms<\/strong>: increased from $98,856 to $120,000, a\u00a021.3%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
    • big four firms<\/strong>: increased from $98,294 to $125,000, a\u00a027.1%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      senior accountant<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • small firms<\/strong>: increased from $79,000 to $95,000, a\u00a020.3%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
      • large firms<\/strong>: increased from $99,398 to $115,000, a\u00a015.7%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
      • big four firms<\/strong>: increased from $91,603 to $130,000, a\u00a041.9%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        tax accountant<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • small firms<\/strong>: increased from $70,500 to $82,000, a\u00a016.3%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
        • mid-tier firms<\/strong>: increased from $75,072 to $97,000, a\u00a029.2%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
        • big four firms<\/strong>: increased from $62,000 to $70,000, a\u00a012.9%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          staff accountant<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • small firms<\/strong>: increased from $56,500 to $65,000, a\u00a015.4%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
          • mid-tier firms<\/strong>: increased from $49,000 to $60,000, a\u00a022.4%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
          • large firms<\/strong>: increased from $57,719 to $72,000, a\u00a024.7%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n
          • big four firms<\/strong>: increased from $57,000 to $68,000, a\u00a019.3%<\/strong>\u00a0increase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            bonuses and additional compensation at small cpa firms<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
            \n
              \n
            1. bonus structures:\n
                \n
              • bonuses at small cpa firms can vary, with some firms offering discretionary bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 for senior positions.<\/li>\n
              • other firms might offer performance-based bonuses, such as $7,500 for hitting specific charge hours.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • overall bonus contribution:\n
                  \n
                • bonuses can contribute an additional 5% to 10% of the annual compensation for staff at small cpa firms. these bonuses are often tied to performance metrics such as charge hours or client collections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                  small cpa firm salaries by experience level<\/h2>\n
                  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                  experience level<\/strong><\/th>\naverage salary\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                  entry-level<\/td>\n$66,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  average cpa<\/td>\n$119,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  20+ years experience<\/td>\n$152,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

                  small cpa firm salaries by percentile<\/h2>\n
                  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                  percentile<\/strong><\/th>\nannual<\/strong><\/th>\nmonthly\u00a0<\/strong><\/th>\nweekly<\/strong><\/th>\nhourly<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                  top earners<\/td>\n$73,000<\/td>\n$6,083<\/td>\n$1,403<\/td>\n$35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  75th percentile<\/td>\n$71,000<\/td>\n$5,916<\/td>\n$1,365<\/td>\n$34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  average<\/td>\n$51,762<\/td>\n$4,313<\/td>\n$995<\/td>\n$25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                  25th percentile<\/td>\n$37,000<\/td>\n$3,083<\/td>\n$711<\/td>\n$18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

                   <\/p>\n

                  top 10 highest-paying states for cpas in small firms<\/h2>\n

                  the highest-paying states for accountants, including those in small cpa firms, are:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • new york: average salary of $68,366<\/li>\n
                  • new jersey: average salary of $67,833<\/li>\n
                  • massachusetts: average salary of $62,743.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                    rank<\/strong><\/th>\nstate<\/strong><\/th>\naverage salary (usd)<\/strong><\/th>\n10th percentile (usd)<\/strong><\/th>\n90th percentile (usd)<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                    1<\/td>\nnew york<\/td>\n$68,366<\/td>\n$51,000<\/td>\n$90,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    2<\/td>\nnew jersey<\/td>\n$67,833<\/td>\n$50,000<\/td>\n$90,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    3<\/td>\nmassachusetts<\/td>\n$62,743<\/td>\n$47,000<\/td>\n$82,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    4<\/td>\nconnecticut<\/td>\n$62,386<\/td>\n$47,000<\/td>\n$82,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    5<\/td>\nrhode island<\/td>\n$60,990<\/td>\n$46,000<\/td>\n$80,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    6<\/td>\nvirginia<\/td>\n$60,099<\/td>\n$44,000<\/td>\n$80,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    7<\/td>\ndelaware<\/td>\n$59,242<\/td>\n$44,000<\/td>\n$78,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    8<\/td>\nmaryland<\/td>\n$58,489<\/td>\n$43,000<\/td>\n$78,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    9<\/td>\nwashington<\/td>\n$56,929<\/td>\n$42,000<\/td>\n$76,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    10<\/td>\nalaska<\/td>\n$55,612<\/td>\n$45,000<\/td>\n$67,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                    top 10 highest-paying cities for cpas in small firms<\/h2>\n
                    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                    rank<\/strong><\/th>\ncity<\/strong><\/th>\naverage salary (usd)<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                    1<\/td>\nwashington, d.c.<\/td>\n$110,140<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    2<\/td>\nsalinas, ca<\/td>\n$111,680<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    3<\/td>\nnew york-newark-jersey city, ny-nj-pa<\/td>\n$105,720<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    4<\/td>\nmidland, tx<\/td>\n$103,120<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    5<\/td>\nsan jose-sunnyvale-santa clara, ca<\/td>\n$102,920<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    6<\/td>\nsan francisco-oakland-hayward, ca<\/td>\n$101,090<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    7<\/td>\nseattle, wa<\/td>\n$75,178<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    8<\/td>\nphiladelphia, pa<\/td>\n$69,324<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    9<\/td>\nmiami-fort lauderdale-west palm beach, fl<\/td>\n$62,870<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                    10<\/td>\nsalt lake city, ut<\/td>\n$82,506<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

                     <\/p>\n

                    \n
                    \n
                    \n
                    \n

                    factors influencing cpa salaries in small firms<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
                    \n
                    \n

                    while small cpa firms might offer lower base salaries than larger firms, they often provide other benefits, such as work-life balance and opportunities for direct client interaction, which can appeal to many accounting professionals.<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. location:\n
                        \n
                      • salaries for cpas can vary significantly based on geographic location. urban areas with a high cost of living, such as new york city or san francisco, typically offer higher salaries to compensate for the increased living expenses. conversely, rural areas often have lower salary ranges and a lower cost of living.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                      • experience and seniority:\n
                          \n
                        • experience plays a crucial role in determining salary. entry-level cpas generally earn less than their senior counterparts. as cpas gain more experience and responsibilities, their salaries increase significantly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                        • certifications and education:\n
                            \n
                          • holding a cpa certification can lead to higher salaries compared to non-certified accountants. the cpa designation is often associated with a 10-15% salary premium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                          • firm size and industry specialization:\n
                              \n
                            • smaller firms might offer lower base salaries than larger firms, but they can provide other benefits, such as flexible working conditions. specialization in high-demand areas like tax or audit can also influence salary levels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              differences in compensation between entry-level and senior cpas<\/h2>\n
                                \n
                              • entry-level vs. senior cpas:\n
                                  \n
                                • entry-level cpas in small firms can expect to earn around $44,000 to $57,750 annually, depending on the location and specific roles. in contrast, senior cpas or those in managerial positions can earn significantly more, often exceeding $100,000, especially if they are partners or hold specialized roles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  bonuses compared to annual salary<\/h2>\n
                                    \n
                                  • bonuses:\n
                                      \n
                                    • bonuses in small cpa firms can vary but often contribute an additional 5-10% to the annual compensation. these bonuses are typically performance-based and can be tied to individual, team, or firm-wide achievements