Business & Office career

Accountant

Also called: CPA · Staff Accountant · Auditor · Tax Accountant

What accountants do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an accountant do?

Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records, make sure they are accurate and comply with laws and standards, prepare taxes and financial statements, and advise organizations on financial decisions. The median pay is $83,680 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4+ years, and employment is projected to grow +5.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $83,680
    $40.23/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +5.0%
    2025–35, faster than average
  • Openings per year
    115,300
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Bachelor's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    4+ years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    1,595,200
    Employment, 2025

What accountants do

Accountants turn transactions into meaningful financial information. Staff accountants close the books and prepare financial statements; tax accountants prepare returns and plan to reduce tax; auditors test whether financial statements and controls are reliable; management accountants analyze costs and budgets.

A bachelor’s degree in accounting is typical, and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is the gold standard. CPA licensure requirements are set by each state and have been changing, so check your state board of accountancy for current education and experience rules.

Typical duties

  • Prepare and analyze financial statements
  • Record journal entries and reconcile accounts
  • Prepare tax returns and tax planning
  • Audit financial records and test internal controls
  • Prepare budgets, forecasts and variance analyses
  • Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax laws and regulations
  • Advise managers and clients on financial decisions

Work environment and schedule

Accountants work in public accounting firms, corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and their own practices. The work is office-based and computer-intensive; many roles offer hybrid or remote options.

Schedule: Usually full-time; tax season and year-end audits often require long hours.

A day in the life

  1. Review subledger reports and post month-end accrual entries.
  2. Reconcile balance sheet accounts and investigate a variance in prepaid expenses.
  3. Meet with the operations manager about a budget overrun.
  4. Prepare a variance analysis explaining revenue and expense changes versus budget.

See a full day in the life of an accountant →

Accountant salary

Half of accountants earned more than $83,680 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $56,020 for the lowest 10% to $144,090 for the top 10%.

Full accountant pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an accountant

  1. Study accounting
  2. Get experience
  3. Plan for the CPA
  4. Pass the CPA Exam
  5. Advance

A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typical. CPA licensure requires passing the Uniform CPA Exam plus education and experience requirements set by each state; many states have added pathways with a bachelor’s degree and additional experience.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an accountant →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • GAAP and financial reporting
  • Tax preparation
  • Auditing and internal controls
  • Excel and financial modeling
  • ERP and accounting systems

People skills

  • Analytical thinking
  • Integrity
  • Communication of financial results
  • Time management

All accountant skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Stable, well-paid profession
  • Needed in every industry
  • CPA license opens many doors
  • Clear advancement to controller and CFO

Cons

  • Busy seasons with long hours
  • Licensing requires significant education and exams
  • Detail-heavy work
  • Regulations change frequently

Certifications and licenses

  • CPA: Certified Public Accountant: licensed by state boards of accountancy after passing the Uniform CPA Exam.
  • CMA (IMA): Certified Management Accountant for corporate finance and cost accounting.
  • EA (IRS): Enrolled Agent, federally authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
  • CIA (IIA): Certified Internal Auditor.

Career path

  1. Staff Accountant or Associate: Close books, prepare taxes or audit.
  2. Senior Accountant: Lead engagements or complex accounts.
  3. Accounting Manager or Audit Manager: Manage teams and reporting.
  4. Controller, Partner or CFO: Lead finance for an organization or firm.

Learn the job before day one

Our Accountant training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as calculate straight-line depreciation and prepare a budget variance analysis, safety and how to land your first job.

View Accountant trainingIs this career right for me?

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Accountant FAQ

Do you need a CPA to be an accountant?

No. Many accountants work without a CPA, but it’s required to sign audit opinions and is valued for advancement.

How long does it take to become a CPA?

Usually a four-year degree, additional education or experience as your state requires, and passing the CPA Exam, often five to seven years total.

Will automation replace accountants?

Software automates routine tasks, but analysis, judgment, advising and compliance work keep accountants in demand. BLS projects 5.0% growth from 2025 to 2035.

How much does an accountant make?

The median annual wage for accountants was $83,680 ($40.23 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $56,020 and the highest 10% earned more than $144,090.

How long does it take to become an accountant?

Most people need about 4+ years of training. A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typical. CPA licensure requires passing the Uniform CPA Exam plus education and experience requirements set by each state; many states have added pathways with a bachelor’s degree and additional experience.

Do you need a degree to be an accountant?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

More accountant questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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