The Average Salary of Accountants in Austin, Texas
Accountants play a critical role in the life of corporations by communicating the financial health of the organization and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Accountants in Austin, Texas, garnered an average annual income of $54,000 in 2010, according to Indeed.com. However, this average does not reflect the range of earnings of the profession. If you are an accountant in Austin, your income stems from your level of education, experience, specialization or the industry segment in which you work.
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Range
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Accountants starting their career in the city of Austin should expect job offers with compensation in the mid $30,000 range, based on 2010 data from Indeed.com. With experience, specialization or promotion into leadership roles, your earnings may exceed $110,000. Accounting positions in Austin pay on average $54,000, slightly less than the Texas state average of $59,000, with Houston taking the lead with average salaries in the mid $60,000 range.
Education
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A bachelor's degree in accounting represents the minimum requirement to enter this profession. Some employers may ask for a master's degree in business administration or in accounting. A graduate degree elevates the average compensation to $64,000 in Austin, according to Indeed.com. Right in the heart of the city, the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business ranks No. 1 in the country for its accounting undergraduate and graduate degrees, according to the 2010 U.S. News & World Report.
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Employers
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Nationally, the top-paying accountant positions report to the federal executive branch, notes the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Austin, Texas, these jobs reside with the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Veteran Affairs, with average salaries around $90,000, as indicated by 2010 data from Indeed.com. Other top-paying employers identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with national average salaries of $80,000 or more in 2009, were: tobacco manufacturers; postal services; securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage firms; and dry-cleaning and laundry services.
Specialization
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Specialization can elevate your income significantly. For instance, if you become a public accountant specializing in forensic accounting, a profession that investigates white-collar crime, employers in Austin pay an average of $72,000 annually, according to Indeed.com. If you choose to become a government accountant, you review and audit the financial information of government agencies. These jobs pay $73,000 on the average in Austin.
Certification
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You can enhance your professional credibility with certifications that attract jobs with higher compensations. For instance, accountants involved with the Securities and Exchange Commission must be Certified Public Accountants. New graduates with CPA certification start earning incomes in the low $50,000 range in Austin, based on data from Indeed.com. You may receive the Certified Management Accountant recognition from the Institute of Management Accountants, a designation that opens the door to jobs averaging $93,000 in Austin.
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References
- Indeed.com: Accountant Salary in Austin, Texas
- University of Texas at Austin: McCombs School of Business: Department of Accounting
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages: Accountants and Auditors, May 2009
- Indeed.com: Forensic Accountant
- Indeed.com: Government Accountants and Auditors
Resources
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