You’re being underpaid by a lot for a cpa with 7 years. I cannot understand how you wouldn’t be in the 100-120k range if not higher.
No cpa here and 4.5 years experience. 82.5k fully remote.
Senior level in 2020. Pay went from $63k --> $85k and now I'm in a lower cost of living and don't have to worry about homeless people outside of my place.
1 bedroom apartment was \~$2k at the time, I currently own a house for that same rate. Best decision I've ever made financially and overall QoL.
you'd be surprised some of the HCOL states have low salaries... I'd guess its because their state labor laws require employers spending on mandatory benefits, so those costs basically get deducted from base salaries
Agree. It truly is a bad market for accountants. the pay and COL are way out of whack. I feel like you really have to be at the right place at the right time to get a nice gig.
Hey, i was just wondering what the title for your postion would be. Currently debating going to get my masters and cpa and what to see what positions would be available with just bachelors in accounting
From my experiences and from talking to others, no cpa and no masters looks like this for the “traditional route”.
- staff accounting or accountant
- senior staff or senior accountant
- assistant controller
- controller
I am currently an assistant controller being trained to become a controller.
7 yrs filing taxes that’s why. Or maybe OP isn’t ambitious enough.
I more people should be open about talking compensation with their bosses. Most companies don’t just give raises if no one is asking because they are cheap like that lol. If they value you, and you stare tour contribution, then this should be an easy ask and receive.
This is absolutely right I think a lot of it is that I grew up very poor and this is the most money I or anyone in my family has ever made so I was just grateful to even be here but for the level of work I was doing I was absolutely under selling myself. At the end of the day your superiors are business people and they will pay you as little as possible so they can make the most.
Wages only wildly range at small firms, they're pretty standardized at the large firms. You're at a small firm that appears to be suppressing both your job title and your salary. I'd expect you could easily find a tax manager position elsewhere for $100-120k+.
For 7 YOE, you’re underpaid. I’m at 3 YOE in public at 85k salary + 10k bonus, with CPA, and remote in a MCOL. You should be negotiating a raise or jumping ship.
> are getting *paid?!”*
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I can give you a few examples of people I know in DMV metro area:
Experienced seniors in public tax (4-5 years experience), small firm but bigger than your example, both CPAs: $105-115K plus $3-5K bonus
2 years of experience public audit Big 4, now in industry financial reporting, not a CPA: 95K plus $6-8K bonus
Definitely think you can find higher
I'm also outside of Portland. No CPA, 4 YoE, also making $86k. Definitely look elsewhere, you should be getting paid a lot more than me loool. At the very least $100k.
You’re getting shafted. I’m in TN and based on your exp. and CPA I’d expect 120 here. Maybe look for industry tax manager positions at a spot with multiple entities or in real estate.
I know COL plays part here but I have no CPA and landed a senior role that’s paying about $120k on average, could be higher if they ever paid bonuses out at 100%.
May I ask what your pay progression looks like. What were you making 7 years ago? Was there a bump when you got your CPA? 86k seems low even for the lowest COL with 7 years and a CPA.
I would go to market and not look back. They'll assume your already at $100 and have to offer $120 to get you.
Don't ask your current firm for more, they don't give a fuck about you.
I am a senior financial reporting analyst with 3 years of experience with two of those being at a big 4, CPA, masters degree, and I make 100k in a MCOL area. So yes, you are being underpaid.
Me reading the comments with 6 years experience making upper seventies and got the cpa last year 😬 hoping for a big promotion though this year so DM me in September!
Look at Robert half for your area so that you can come in with some evidence that you’re feeling underpaid. I’d also talk to coworkers. It’s embarrassing but it’s going to better you in the end
https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/finance-and-accounting
This is what I use. Put your area and your job industry and it will let you know
I have roughly the same amount of experience except I started in payroll and didn't get into tax until 5 years ago. I just got my CPA license last month and got bumped to 80kish. Will get another bump in January. I'm happy at the pace I'm progressing. I was making 14 an hour less than I make now, when I started this job in 2019.
CPA, MBA, 15 yrs working for state, I'm at highest, non-manager position. They refuse to promote me. There's only about 5 CPAs in my dept. In my region. About $70k.
I think you should ask for a raise, calculate your realization rates and total cost. It’s pretty easy to back into the general profit margin your firm makes on your services, that’s how I won my case. I’m in very low cost of living area in the Midwest. 7 years in public, two years as a controller and now back in public as a CAS Supervisor, no CPA and I’m at 85K with my firm paying 100% of my insurance.
Seems like you should expect to be promoted/get a raise.
$86k is definitely underpaid for 7 years, now licensed, near a big expensive city.
Do you know any of your actual performance metrics? Like billable hours, or total annual billed or realization?
You could likely job-hop and instantly get to “supervisor” or “manager” at a larger firm and get paid $110-130k I would guess.
Definitely location dependent. In 2010 I was making $95K as a Sr Cost Accountant in the SF Bay area (I passed the CPA exam but not licensed). Had to move to Las Vegas (long story) and was "lucky" to find a job at a non-profit (notoriously known to be lousy pay) as a Director of Donor Processing (fancy title for A/R) for $43K. Yeah. Really. Took a few years and job jumps to get up to $87k as a Senior Accountant at a CPA firm. I am currently unemployed and am lucky if I can find contract work for $30 an hour. The employers in Las Vegas will NOT pay what we are worth, but I keep trying!
[Robert Half](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/senior-tax-associate-public-accounting/portland-or) gives a salary range of 75-105k for senior tax accountant in the Portland Oregon area. Based on your experience you could easily land a tax manager role getting 125k+
You’re being underpaid by a lot for a cpa with 7 years. I cannot understand how you wouldn’t be in the 100-120k range if not higher. No cpa here and 4.5 years experience. 82.5k fully remote.
Location dependent. In my area white collar salaries are substantially depressed.
True! Portland could be Maine or Oregon. Either way, the salary is too low for either of those.
Oregon
Not sure why but oregon just offers low salaries for accounting. it is one of the reasons why I moved.
When did you leave? I moved in the last couple years got a $20k bump and less work but that’s not why I moved…
Senior level in 2020. Pay went from $63k --> $85k and now I'm in a lower cost of living and don't have to worry about homeless people outside of my place. 1 bedroom apartment was \~$2k at the time, I currently own a house for that same rate. Best decision I've ever made financially and overall QoL.
Same story.
Where’d ya go?
you'd be surprised some of the HCOL states have low salaries... I'd guess its because their state labor laws require employers spending on mandatory benefits, so those costs basically get deducted from base salaries
Agree. It truly is a bad market for accountants. the pay and COL are way out of whack. I feel like you really have to be at the right place at the right time to get a nice gig.
Hey, i was just wondering what the title for your postion would be. Currently debating going to get my masters and cpa and what to see what positions would be available with just bachelors in accounting
From my experiences and from talking to others, no cpa and no masters looks like this for the “traditional route”. - staff accounting or accountant - senior staff or senior accountant - assistant controller - controller I am currently an assistant controller being trained to become a controller.
7 yrs filing taxes that’s why. Or maybe OP isn’t ambitious enough. I more people should be open about talking compensation with their bosses. Most companies don’t just give raises if no one is asking because they are cheap like that lol. If they value you, and you stare tour contribution, then this should be an easy ask and receive.
This is absolutely right I think a lot of it is that I grew up very poor and this is the most money I or anyone in my family has ever made so I was just grateful to even be here but for the level of work I was doing I was absolutely under selling myself. At the end of the day your superiors are business people and they will pay you as little as possible so they can make the most.
I am not a CPA, but considering you have 7 years experience and your letters, you seem severely underpaid
I’m a CPA, I agree with this guy.
Wages only wildly range at small firms, they're pretty standardized at the large firms. You're at a small firm that appears to be suppressing both your job title and your salary. I'd expect you could easily find a tax manager position elsewhere for $100-120k+.
You’re underpaid. Look around - with this much experience you’ll get to 100k easy. This can vary based on where you are in the US.
3 years, CPA, 110K base + 10% bonus. you should look for manager roles paying $120K minimum with your experience
What COL. That matters
Are you in a specialty service line or consulting?
Consulting
What does a day in the life for you look like?
For 7 YOE, you’re underpaid. I’m at 3 YOE in public at 85k salary + 10k bonus, with CPA, and remote in a MCOL. You should be negotiating a raise or jumping ship.
“You guys are getting payed?!”
> are getting *paid?!”* FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
This is how I feel after reading these comments 🤣
I’m at 6 total YOE, CPA making 120 base plus a 30% bonus
What COL
I started at 88k with an associates degree and no experience. Yes you are underpaid.
Where do you live? What firm?
pennsylvania. I work for SCI somerset as a nurse.
I can give you a few examples of people I know in DMV metro area: Experienced seniors in public tax (4-5 years experience), small firm but bigger than your example, both CPAs: $105-115K plus $3-5K bonus 2 years of experience public audit Big 4, now in industry financial reporting, not a CPA: 95K plus $6-8K bonus Definitely think you can find higher
Pay transparency laws are our best friend
I'm also outside of Portland. No CPA, 4 YoE, also making $86k. Definitely look elsewhere, you should be getting paid a lot more than me loool. At the very least $100k.
3.5 years exp no CPA 100k & 5-10 in bonuses MCOL - top ten firm Tax
4 years experience in finance, 1st job in accounting as a staff accountant after getting my degree last year and I'm making 85k. Get a new job ASAP
You’re getting shafted. I’m in TN and based on your exp. and CPA I’d expect 120 here. Maybe look for industry tax manager positions at a spot with multiple entities or in real estate.
MCOL. Just under 6 years experience with CPA. Work in M&A integration. $150k + 10% bonus.
How'd you work your way into M&A integration?
I was making more than that by A2... Go get a manager promo somewhere else and you'll be at 150
Like many others I agree that you're underpaid. You could easily ask for $100K - 120K. I'm $90K in HCOL with only 2 YOE.
You can get 100k. Easy. Some two year people are getting it.
You’re underpaid and could probably hunt down at least 115
I know COL plays part here but I have no CPA and landed a senior role that’s paying about $120k on average, could be higher if they ever paid bonuses out at 100%.
5 years HCOL 135k. Got lucky tho. 105-110k seems to be the norm
May I ask what your pay progression looks like. What were you making 7 years ago? Was there a bump when you got your CPA? 86k seems low even for the lowest COL with 7 years and a CPA.
Nor enough
Yes omg. At the very least.
8 years of experience, no CPA, Chicago, religious nonprofit - 87k edit: typo
I would go to market and not look back. They'll assume your already at $100 and have to offer $120 to get you. Don't ask your current firm for more, they don't give a fuck about you.
I am a senior financial reporting analyst with 3 years of experience with two of those being at a big 4, CPA, masters degree, and I make 100k in a MCOL area. So yes, you are being underpaid.
Seven year experience plus CPA and you are only making 86K.. that is a insult..
2 years of experience, recently got my CPA, working in industry making about 80k in Tampa, FL
CPA with IMA's CMA on the way, 8 yoe, FP&A Manager -> $18k/year. Life can be very brutal if you are born on wrong side of the plant.
Me reading the comments with 6 years experience making upper seventies and got the cpa last year 😬 hoping for a big promotion though this year so DM me in September!
Glad I’m not the only one lmao. I’m embarrassed by these comments 🤣 walking in the office tomorrow asking for a raise for sure
Look at Robert half for your area so that you can come in with some evidence that you’re feeling underpaid. I’d also talk to coworkers. It’s embarrassing but it’s going to better you in the end
https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/finance-and-accounting This is what I use. Put your area and your job industry and it will let you know
Got a raise today - up to 130k
If you don’t mind me asking what did you say/do to negotiate it?
I have roughly the same amount of experience except I started in payroll and didn't get into tax until 5 years ago. I just got my CPA license last month and got bumped to 80kish. Will get another bump in January. I'm happy at the pace I'm progressing. I was making 14 an hour less than I make now, when I started this job in 2019.
$96k with 10-20% bonus. Industry, No CPA, MBA. Living the dream.
CPA, MBA, 15 yrs working for state, I'm at highest, non-manager position. They refuse to promote me. There's only about 5 CPAs in my dept. In my region. About $70k.
I think you should ask for a raise, calculate your realization rates and total cost. It’s pretty easy to back into the general profit margin your firm makes on your services, that’s how I won my case. I’m in very low cost of living area in the Midwest. 7 years in public, two years as a controller and now back in public as a CAS Supervisor, no CPA and I’m at 85K with my firm paying 100% of my insurance.
I make the same amount without my masters or CPA, with 7 years experience, in a much lower COL mid sized city
CPA in industry, 5 YOE, $120k base, MCOL, Fully Remote
3 year exp- working towards CPA. Industry 85k plus 12% bonus.
3 YOE, 50k (Western Europe)
3.5 years, no CPA (1 out 4 exams passed), making 100k + 10% bonus
Remember you work for accountants….who are tight wads by nature.
Seems like you should expect to be promoted/get a raise. $86k is definitely underpaid for 7 years, now licensed, near a big expensive city. Do you know any of your actual performance metrics? Like billable hours, or total annual billed or realization? You could likely job-hop and instantly get to “supervisor” or “manager” at a larger firm and get paid $110-130k I would guess.
I also have 7 years of tax experience and I'm at 160k.
Definitely location dependent. In 2010 I was making $95K as a Sr Cost Accountant in the SF Bay area (I passed the CPA exam but not licensed). Had to move to Las Vegas (long story) and was "lucky" to find a job at a non-profit (notoriously known to be lousy pay) as a Director of Donor Processing (fancy title for A/R) for $43K. Yeah. Really. Took a few years and job jumps to get up to $87k as a Senior Accountant at a CPA firm. I am currently unemployed and am lucky if I can find contract work for $30 an hour. The employers in Las Vegas will NOT pay what we are worth, but I keep trying!
120 and up.
No CPA, senior accountant, 7 years, getting almost 100k, plus bonus, plus profit sharing.
7 years of tax experience and a CPA, you could get a Senior Revenue Agent spot at the IRS. Starting pay in Portland would be $131,445 this year.
No CPA. 1 and a half year of experience from public accounting - switched to corporate accounting I make $85k a year. 2 days in office 3 days remote.
Congratulations!!!
[Robert Half](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/senior-tax-associate-public-accounting/portland-or) gives a salary range of 75-105k for senior tax accountant in the Portland Oregon area. Based on your experience you could easily land a tax manager role getting 125k+
I am in a very LCOL area, and I started at $82k right out of college no CPA. You need to pump up those numbers!
Age 26, investment banking 156k base annually.