With a combination of education, experience, certifications, and strategic career moves, you may be able to secure one of the top-paying accounting positions.
Find out which roles offer the highest salaries and what you may need to get there.
The top 10 highest-paying accounting jobs
As an accountant, you can shape your career path as your interests, expertise, life circumstances, and industry change. Even as technological advances transform businesses and organizations, accounting experts remain essential across industries and operations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were roughly 1,437,880 accountants and auditors in the United States in 2023. The field is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is a faster rate than the national average for all occupations.
As of May 2023, the median annual salary for accountants and auditors was $79,880, which is significantly higher than the national median annual salary of $48,060 for all occupations.
However, if you are an accountant aiming for higher salaries, pursuing C-suite and management roles may improve your earning potential.
Our methodology used 2023 BLS data to determine the highest-paying accounting jobs, focusing on business and financial occupations that typically require a bachelor's degree in accounting. Based on this analysis, we ranked the top 10 positions by their median annual salary.
As expected, chief executives like chief financial officer (CFO) have the highest incomes, earning a median annual salary of $206,680.
Note, however, that senior positions, including financial managers ($156,100) and financial risk specialists ($106,090), are also among the top earners. Their salaries are on par with specialized roles that require managerial skills and expertise.
Advisors and analysts, such as personal financial advisors ($99,580) and financial and investment analysts ($99,010), outearn entry-level accountants, tax preparers, and bookkeepers.
Other well-compensated roles include budget analysts ($84,940), postsecondary accounting and finance instructors ($84,380), and financial examiners ($84,300), reflecting the demand for specialized accounting professionals.
What do you need for a top-paying accounting job?
When examining what it takes for accountants to reach the best-paying roles, common trends emerge: advanced education, professional certifications, and years of industry experience.
Industry-specific certifications such as certified public accountant (CPA), certified management accountant (CMA), or chartered global management accountant (CGMA) are highly desirable and often required for leadership roles.
Experience is also a factor, with 10 or more years of relevant experience often needed for management or executive positions.
Role-specific skills — such as critical thinking, communication, and leadership — are also needed, especially for managerial roles.
Review the highest-earning accounting roles, outlining typical duties and requirements, with salary data and job outlook data from the BLS:
Chief executives
Chief executives, such as CFOs, lead an organization's accounting and finance operations. They develop and oversee financial strategies, risk management, and budgeting, ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and industry regulations.
Median annual salary (2023): $206,680
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 5%
Education requirements: MBA, MAcc, juris doctor (JD), or master's degree in a related field
Helpful skills and experience: At least 10 years of accounting and finance experience, with at least five years in a management role; CPA, CMA, or CGMA certifications
Financial managers
Financial managers are responsible for accounting, investment, and auditing teams and ensure financial operations align with an organization's goals. They manage quarterly and annual planning and reports, monitor audits, and manage client engagements to optimize growth. Financial managers may work as controllers, treasurers, or finance officers.
Median annual salary (2023): $156,100
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 17%
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
Helpful skills and experience: Five years or more as an accountant or financial analyst; strong communication, analytical skills, and financial software proficiency; CPA, chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified government financial manager (CGFM), or certified treasury professional (CTP) certifications
Financial risk specialists
Financial risk specialists analyze and measure operational, market, or credit risks that could impact an organization's finances, earning potential, or assets. They create risk management strategies, evaluate risk exposure and potential rewards, and prepare reports.
Median annual salary (2023): $106,090
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 8%
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business; a master's degree may be preferred
Helpful skills and experience: Proficiency in financial software, including experience with Excel and databases, is generally required
Personal financial advisors
Personal financial advisors help individuals manage their finances by guiding investments, insurance, mortgages, taxes, and retirement. They assess clients' financial needs, develop strategies for short and long-term goals, and recommend investment options.
Median annual salary (2023): $99,580
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 17%
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field
Helpful skills and experience: Strong interpersonal skills to explain financial concepts clearly and build client trust; certified financial planner (CFP) certification and financial planning coursework are often expected
Financial and investment analysts
Financial and investment analysts assess financial data to help organizations and individuals make informed investment decisions. They evaluate economic trends, company performance, and industry insights to recommend stocks, bonds, and other investment instruments.
Median annual salary (2023): $99,010
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 10%
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field; a master's degree or CFA designation may broaden career opportunities
Helpful skills and experience: Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis software; strong communication skills to explain financial information to clients or stakeholders
Budget analysts
Budget analysts produce reports and monitor organizational spending to ensure accurate resource allocation. They review proposals for accuracy and compliance, cross-collaborate with other departments to create budgets, monitor expenditures, and recommend adjustments for discrepancies and budget reconciliation.
Median annual salary (2023): $84,940
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 4%
Education requirements: Typically, a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or mathematics; some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree
Helpful skills and experience: Attention to detail for accurate budget preparation, math skills for financial calculations, and strong writing and communication skills to present technical information; CGFM certification is recommended for governmental roles
Postsecondary accounting teachers
Postsecondary accounting teachers instruct students in accounting principles and financial reporting at colleges and universities. They design coursework, deliver lectures, assess student performance, and conduct academic research and publication.
Median annual salary (2023): $84,380
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 8%
Education requirements: Typically, a doctoral degree (PhD) in accounting or a related field, but a master's degree may suffice for some institutions
Helpful skills and experience: Strong communication skills and a background in professional accounting practice; prior professional accounting experience
Financial examiners
Financial examiners ensure institutions comply with state and federal laws and regulations. They assess an organization's financial health, evaluate its management practices, and review balance sheets to validate compliance.
Median annual salary (2023): $84,300
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 21%
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or similar field
Helpful skills and experience: Analytical skills to assess financial documents and identify compliance issues; attention to detail for thorough evaluations; CPA, accredited financial examiner (AFE), and certified financial examiner (CFE) certifications may be required
Accountants and auditors, finance and insurance
Accountants and auditors in the finance and insurance sectors manage financial records, ensuring accurate reporting, monitoring compliance, and assessing risks and opportunities for organizations. Some professionals may specialize in auditing financial institutions or investigating fraud.
Median annual salary (2023): $83,250
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 6%
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, or finance
Helpful skills and experience: Knowledge of financial regulations and industry-specific compliance standards; certified internal auditor (CIA), CFE, CFA, or CPA certifications may benefit those seeking roles in finance and insurance settings
Financial specialists
Financial specialists provide various services — including financial analysis, risk assessment, and advising — to help individuals and organizations manage their finances effectively. They may work in various industries like banking, insurance, and investment firms.
Median annual salary (2023): $80,090
Projected employment growth (2023–33): 6%
Education requirements: Bachelor's degree in accounting, economics, finance, or a related field
Helpful skills and experience: Precision in financial reporting, communication abilities for explaining financial insights, and advising clients; CFA or CFP certifications
