Top 10 highest-paying accounting jobs and their education requirements
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.
| Occupation | Median annual salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
Chief executives | |
Financial managers | |
Financial risk specialists | |
Personal financial advisors | |
Financial and investment analysts | |
Budget analysts | |
Postsecondary accounting teachers | |
Financial examiners | |
Accountants and auditors, finance and insurance | |
Financial specialist |
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.
- You may need to upskill or reskill with advanced degrees, such as a master of business administration (MBA) or a master of accounting (MAcc).
- 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:
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