The Pay Scale for an Accounting Degree
A Bachelor of Science in accounting typically begins with a foundation of humanities courses that include English, social studies, history and science. It then continues in the third and fourth years with accounting courses such as auditing, finance, economics, statistics and law. Many employers require this degree or higher for applicants interested in accounting positions.
Other People Are Reading
-
CFOs
-
The type of job primarily determines the salary earned by accounting degree graduates. The highest paying of these belongs to chief financial officers because of their ultimate responsibility for the financial health of an organization. They earn $83,879 to $149,468 per year as of February 2011, according to a PayScale Report.
Accountants
-
At the lower end of the scale are accountants who make $38,830 to $50,546 annually. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), whose licensing allows them to file reports with the Securities Exchange Commission, earn more at $48,544 to $76,308.
-
Experience
-
As with most professions, accounting salaries increase with experience as accountants widen their expertise and client base. For example, new graduates make a median $43,607 per year, and those with one to four years of work earn $45,768. At five to nine years of experience, they receive $58,043 and at 10 to 19 years, they get $71,868. With 20 or more years of employment, they top out at $83,798.
Employer
-
The type of employer affects not only the salary but the type of tasks and clients. The highest paying jobs are with foundations and trusts, with median pay at $72,743 per year, followed by those in the federal government, who earn $67,061. Schools and school districts have salaries at the lower end at $41,694, while those in colleges and universities get $49,981. Those working for companies, at $59,229, make close to the earnings of those who are self-employed at $59,322.
-
