Higher Earnings  

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What you can earn as a CPA.

Balance sheets, annual reports, and financial forecasts are the accountant’s stock and trade. But what happens when you run the numbers on the profession itself and specifically the CPA designation? Take a look.

The $1 million dollar advantage

It’s true. Over the course of a 40-year career, a CPA can earn as much as $1 million more than a non-certified accountant. Here’s an example:

• Two non-CPA accountants begin working at the same time at the same public accounting firm at the same annual salary of $63,500.
• One earns the CPA credential, creating a 10% salary differential of about $7,000 more than the other. (CPA's can earn up to 10% more than their non-credentialed counterparts.)
• Over time, more frequent and higher-level promotions can widen the salary gap to as much as $50,000.
• Over a full career that can mean up to an additional $1 million or more* in lifetime earnings.

Individual salaries vary, of course, depending on geography, experience, education, and employer, but the most recently reported average salary ranges indicate a very bright financial future.

2012 Projected Accountant Salaries**

Derived from Robert Half International 2012 Salary Guide; Accounting and Finance.

* Example only.
** Large public accounting firms/companies = $250 million + in sales. Salary does not reflect overtime or bonuses which are significant portions of compensation for these positions.
*** CPAs may earn up to 10% over peers without professional designations.
**** Advanced degrees or professional certifications are assumed at this level.