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Job outlook for accounting managers in the United States
Accounting manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected accounting manager job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 123,100 new jobs for accounting managers are projected over the next decade.
Accounting manager salaries have increased 10% for accounting managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 414,973 accounting managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 92,089 active accounting manager job openings in the US.
The average accounting manager salary is $84,451.
Are accounting manager jobs in demand?
Accounting manager job and salary trends over time
Accounting manager jobs over time
Accounting manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 414,973 | 0.12% |
| 2020 | 400,900 | 0.12% |
| 2019 | 403,624 | 0.12% |
| 2018 | 386,848 | 0.12% |
| 2017 | 373,344 | 0.11% |
Average accounting manager salary over time
Accounting manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $84,451 | $40.60 | +3.3% |
| 2025 | $81,751 | $39.30 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $80,555 | $38.73 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $78,723 | $37.85 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $76,628 | $36.84 | +3.2% |
Accounting manager jobs by state
Most common states for accounting managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 392 | 56% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,263 | 18% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 175 | 18% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 880 | 16% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 170 | 16% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 830 | 15% |
| 7 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,813 | 14% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,212 | 14% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 845 | 14% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 419 | 14% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 968 | 13% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 457 | 13% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 174 | 13% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 139 | 13% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 517 | 12% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 377 | 12% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,520 | 11% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 765 | 11% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 219 | 11% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 78 | 11% |
Most common cities for accounting managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | 22 | 5% | $72,424 |
| 2 | Boston | 29 | 4% | $94,298 |
| 3 | Tampa | 11 | 3% | $62,390 |
| 4 | Orlando | 7 | 3% | $62,169 |
| 5 | Chicago | 44 | 2% | $79,566 |
| 6 | San Francisco | 19 | 2% | $112,794 |
| 7 | San Jose | 18 | 2% | $111,143 |
| 8 | Denver | 17 | 2% | $75,741 |
| 9 | Washington | 12 | 2% | $90,957 |
| 10 | Minneapolis | 7 | 2% | $81,299 |
| 11 | Los Angeles | 29 | 1% | $90,186 |
| 12 | San Diego | 10 | 1% | $86,170 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 9 | 1% | $88,789 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 8 | 1% | $71,703 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | 8 | 1% | $63,430 |
| 16 | New York | 11 | 0% | $99,604 |
| 17 | Houston | 7 | 0% | $72,170 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 7 | 0% | $76,894 |
Accounting Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of accounting manager experts
Hunter College of the City University of New York
University of Central Arkansas
Seattle University
Washington and Lee University
Loyola University Chicago
Virginia Commonwealth University
Henderson State University
Skyline College
Western Kentucky University
University of Missouri - St Louis
Muhlenberg College
Eastern Oregon University
Indiana University Northwest
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Patty Goedl PhD: The best advice I could give a graduate beginning their career in accounting or another business field is to focus on obtaining practice work experience. If two graduates have the same degree, the next factor is typically practical work experience. Many programs, like the Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting degree program at the University of Cincinnati, offer or require a cooperative education (co-op education) experience. In fact, the University of Cincinnati invented co-op education over 100 years ago. Students who graduate with a degree and work experience are generally more marketable. For students who did not have the opportunity to complete a co-op or internship while in school, there are other options to get work experience. For example, I am the academic program coordinator for an Associate in Applied Business Accounting Technology degree at the University of Cincinnati. It is a fully online degree program geared toward non-traditional students. We do not offer a co-op education experience in the two-year accounting degree program. However, I work with accounting recruiting firms and local businesses to help my students get entry-level positions and gain practical working experience. Graduates often overlook recruiting organizations when they are looking for a job. In many cases, recruiters have access to jobs that are not posted anywhere else. Additionally, recruiters are usually willing to place students with degrees who need work experience.
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
Patty Goedl PhD: There are several things you can do to maximize your salary potential when you are starting your career. The first would be participating in a meaningful co-op education or internship experience in school. If these opportunities are not available, talk to a recruiter in your field about part-time opportunities while in school or other opportunities when you graduate. Additionally, try to distinguish yourself from your classmates. Some examples of things you can do are maintain a high GPA, participate in student groups, volunteer in your community, or pursue online badges or certifications in your field. For example, the University of Cincinnati's two-year accounting degree program has two industry-recognized certification exams embedded into the academic curriculum—Certified QuickBooks User and Certified Bookkeeping Professional. Our students have the opportunity to graduate with an associate degree and two industry-recognized professional certifications. Professional certifications or other badges are an excellent way for students to maximize their salary potential when starting their careers. Many options for courses, certifications, and badge programs are available online since they are not included in most academic degree programs.
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA
Director of Accounting ProgramsHunter College of the City University of New York
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA: Try to pass the CPA exam as soon as possible. Studying for the exam while working full-time is not easy. Start studying early is the best strategy. If you can pass even 1-2 sections while in school, it will greatly increase your chances of passing all the sections within a reasonable time frame. Also, if you can pass even 1 section while in school, it will help you stand out among the candidates during your job hunting. I also believe getting a master's degree will help them increase the promotional opportunities and life-time earnings. A master's degree will help not only deepen their technical accounting knowledge, but also increase their critical thinking and research skill. As of now, master's degree is not required to obtain the CPA license (all 150 required credits can be earned as an undergraduate student). But I always advise my students: 'If you have to take extra 30 credits to fulfill the education requirements, why not earn a master's degree?'. One final advice is to grow your professional network through personal connections or social media, and by attending professional conferences and seminars. I highly recommend this because this is how most people will find their next jobs, which would help you achieve your professional goals and higher pay!
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Watson PhD, CPA: Skills that are on the rise are those related to automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, some used by accountants, some used by our clients. As accountants, we don't need to be computer programmers to be successful, but we do need the ability to understand how tasks are completed without these technologies and with them, and how our role is different with these technologies in place. Because new applications are constantly being developed, accountants need to be open to and comfortable with learning new software. However, no technology in the next decade is going to be able to replace the skills that have always been important for accountants including communication skills (the ability to convey technical concepts and processes to someone who may not be as familiar with them as you are), critical thinking and professional skepticism (being able to think beyond what is presented to see the bigger picture), and Excel skills or related tools for data organization and analysis.
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Gabriel Saucedo PhD, CPA: Maximizing salary potential really does depend on what a young professional wants to do with their career. As such, a new accountant should not forego or overlook the importance of networking and finding a mentor or mentors to help them navigate these waters (sidenote: no young professional should be afraid of networking because most anyone likes to talk about themselves and/or their respective job). First, earning and maintaining a recognized certification in the field (e.g., CPA), while grueling, still carries long-term income potential. However, there are numerous other certifications rising in importance with long-term value (e.g., CFE, CMA, CIA, etc.). Second, some will argue that finding a niche job early on and specializing will maximize earning potential. Third, and conversely, riding the public accounting wave until reaching management-level responsibilities will also have a notable impact on future salaries. The ongoing training and education firms invest in their employees, along with the diverse client base, is something that is hard to price in the short-term but future employers will gladly pay a premium for in the long-term. Fourth, lean into your strengths. For some people this may be in technology. But for others, a recruit that can carefully articulate difficult information to constituents and stakeholders is no doubt executive material.
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gabriel Saucedo PhD, CPA: Go out there ready to work hard, learn a lot, and undoubtedly make a lot of (unintentional) mistakes. We all know about the “busy season” expectations and that firms may jokingly compensate overtime hours with a slice of pepperoni pizza. But there are very few professions in which a young professional will have such a vast, global exposure to different business processes, technologies, and people. Furthermore, the training and educational opportunities most firms and companies offer their employees cannot have a price tag attached to them (jokes aside, they are incredibly valuable and non-taxable). On a personal note, I also remind my seniors that when work gets tough (e.g., busy season) it still super important to take a slice of time each day, even if just 5 minutes, to do something for themselves. Maybe a quick medication, a gym workout, getting their favorite coffee, or a dinner night with a close friend or loved one. Personal care and keeping grounded will keep life in context and balance.
Colin Reid
Associate Professor of AccountingWashington and Lee University
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Colin Reid: I think salary can be maximized by continuing to learn and develop expertise on the job. I would encourage graduates to think broadly about all of the possibilities within the field of accounting. Exploring various areas will help professionals find the areas of the field that they enjoy the most. Pursuing work that you find challenging and enjoy often leads to better performance, more opportunities, and eventually compensation will follow.
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Colin Reid: Communication and critical thinking have always been important in accounting, but I believe the importance of these skills will increase. Professionals in accounting spend more time working in groups and with other people than many realize. Currently AI can assist with technical tasks and other repetitive work. I believe there will always be a role for accountants in terms of building relationships with clients, team members, and others with whom they work. Many problems that professionals face will involve multifaceted decisions that can be informed by data analysis but often will still need to be communicated clearly through a relationship built on trust. I believe that balancing a technical accounting education with the traditional liberal arts (e.g. humanities and social sciences) is critically important to help develop these critical thinking and communication skills.
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: I would advise a graduate beginning their career in the field to focus on continuous learning and skill development. The accounting field is constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date with industry trends and regulations is crucial for success.
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: In the next 3-5 years, I believe skills related to data analytics, technology proficiency, and communication will become more important in the accounting field. As technology advances, accountants will need to be proficient in data analysis and interpretation, as well as effective communication to convey complex financial information.
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
Amir Moeini Chaghervand PhD, CMA: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in accounting, I recommend gaining relevant certifications such as CPA or CMA, pursuing advanced degrees, and seeking opportunities for professional growth and development. Additionally, networking and building strong relationships within the industry can also help in negotiating better salary offers.
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA
Associate Professor of AccountingLoyola University Chicago
Business/Managerial Economics
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA: To maximize salary potential when starting a career in Accounting, individuals should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level positions, negotiating their salary based on market research, and continuously improving their skills and knowledge.
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA: In the next 3-5 years, skills such as data analysis, technology proficiency, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication will become more important and prevalent in the field of Accounting.
Prof James Holland
Professor of AccountingVirginia Commonwealth University
Accounting And Related Services
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
Prof James Holland: Listen and learn all you can, focus on improving with a goal toward excellence. Always be willing to help others.
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
James Lawson: The ability to leverage AI (artificial intelligence). There is a lot of discussion regarding the impact of AI on society, but AI is another tool that accountants can use to complete their tasks and add value to their client relationships.
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Cynthia Bolt-Lee: With data analysis, generative AI, machine learning, and other technologies, along with the retirement of many professionals expected in the next ten years, new graduates have so much opportunity! The foundation is an understanding and appreciation of cybersecurity and strong technology proficiency. Ethical decision-making combined with strategic thinking and an adaptable willingness to change will propel your career forward. All of this needs to be centered around effective communication skills as the accounting professional works with the entire team in a business.
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Lisa Bell MBA, CPA: Continuously improving on existing skills and learning new skills will set you apart from your counterparts. I used to tell students to pick an area and become a master. Now I tell them to seek certifications in different areas so they can be more well-rounded. I advise them to figure out the knowledge gaps in their organization. Then fill that gap for the organization and ask to be compensated for bringing value
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Kirsten Cook: In accounting (like most other fields), I hope that graduates "began their careers" long before crossing the stage at commencement. That is, most college and universities offer a wealth of opportunities for students to interact with employers throughout their college careers. When an employer speaks in a class, holds an informational session, or tables at a career fair, make a point to introduce yourself, ask informed questions, and generally leave a favorable impression in that employer's mind. Also, if possible, complete one or more internships while in college to understand the culture of professional accounting before your first day of full-time employment after graduation.
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kirsten Cook:
Ten years ago, I would've said "soft skills" like verbal and written communication. Five years ago, data analytics was all the rage. I don't believe these skills have become any less important; rather, we must continue to layer on new skills to match the changing professional environment. Today, I encourage students to be technologically agile. For example, if you learned to use Alteryx in a class, but your new employer uses PowerBI, recognize the similarities between these programs and build on your existing knowledge to master the new tool. Also, stay abreast of developments in accounting by not only reading the business press but also by connecting with experts on social media like LinkedIn.
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Leah Parker-Roth 15, CPA: Accounting is an excellent field to enter right now because it isn't going anywhere. Even with advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, clients still need accountants to interpret complex tax laws and regulations that are constantly evolving. Accounting is the language of business and is a valuable skill to have. Moreover, accountants examine financial information to provide useful insights to clients, enabling them to make well-informed business decisions.
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Abbie Daly PhD, CPA: Accounting is often referred to as the "language of business" because accountants communicate financial information. So communication is an integral part of an accountant's day. For example, auditors and tax preparers meet with their clients to understand their financial information, and accountants at organizations prepare and communicate financial information to guide strategic decisions. To facilitate these communications, accountants analyze and interpret many data points. For example, in auditing the revenue recognized by a company, an auditor would examine the underlying transactions, contracts, and supporting documentation.
Tony Viertel
Accounting Dept. CoordinatorSkyline College
Accounting And Related Services
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tony Viertel: Stability and demand: Accounting is a fundamental function for businesses across
industries. There will always be a demand for skilled accountants to manage financial
records, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide strategic financial advice.
Diverse career opportunities: Accountants can work in various sectors such as public
accounting, corporate accounting, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and
academia. This diversity allows for flexibility and the opportunity to explore different
career paths.
Professional growth: The accounting profession offers numerous opportunities for
advancement, including obtaining certifications such as Certified Public Accountant
(CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
These certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions and increased
responsibilities.
Intellectual Challenge: Accounting involves problem-solving, analysis, and interpretation
of financial data. It requires critical thinking skills and attention to detail.
Stacy Bibelhauser Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWestern Kentucky University
Accounting And Related Services
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
Stacy Bibelhauser Ph.D.: The integration of data analytics with accounting-related jobs is already prevalent and will continue to impact the field. I also believe a good working knowledge of cybersecurity practices and policies will become essential in all areas of accounting.
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA
Chair - Department of AccountingUniversity of Missouri - St Louis
Accounting And Related Services
What Accounting Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Kozloski PhD, CPA, CGMA: Accountants use their business and accounting knowledge and skills to assemble and analyze financial and operational data and communicate that information to various internal and external stakeholders of the entity they work for. This includes preparing financial reports including financial statements. Accountants may also work in the tax profession preparing tax reports and returns, and the auditing profession where they conduct procedures and tests to provide assurance that financial information is fairly stated.
What will help Accounting Managers increase their earning potential?
Ermira Mazziotta MBA, CPA, CFE: Accounting students are in a very good position to land well paying jobs because of the demand. Most important advice I would give is to continue to learn and grow and invest in your professional growth by taking classes, working on different clients from different industries and most importantly network. If you have an option to work in the office, do that instead of working remotely. Making those face to face connections will help propel and grow your career.
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija
Associate Professor of AccountingEastern Oregon University
Business/Commerce
What general advice would you give to an Accounting Manager?
Dr. Mohamed Abualhaija: In the corporate world, soft skills are critical, particularly for those starting careers in accounting, business, or similar fields. These skills help people deal with diverse situations at work and communicate with others more effectively. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, flexibility, and emotional intelligence are all examples of essential soft skills.
Jaclyn Barkow
Clinical Assistant Professor of AccountingIndiana University Northwest
Accounting Department
What type of skills will young Accounting Managers need?
Jaclyn Barkow: In addition to the accounting skills necessary to perform the position's duties, communication, problem-solving, ability to ask questions, and adaptability are also excellent skills to hold. While the skills learned in each accounting course are vital to success, these additional skills will help to set young accountants apart from others who have limited skills in these areas.
Effective communication is so important in the accounting industry. Young accountants must be able to speak and write clearly to colleagues, superiors, and clients. Communication is not just being able to hold a conversation. Accountants must be able to discuss information in a manner that is clear and concise. Part of communication is also being able to ask the right questions and learn from the responses received. Young accountants must ask questions to guide the learning process. Part of asking questions is to learn from the process and avoid asking the same question repeatedly.
Accountants must be able to critically evaluate information and problem solve as necessary. Textbook assignments tend to be very clear on what items are needed or not needed, but such is not always the scenario in the workplace. Young accountants must be confident in their understanding of accounting concepts and critically evaluate problems presented on a case-by-case basis.
What experience really stands out on Accounting Manager resumes?
Jaclyn Barkow: From employers I have spoken with in the past, the experience that stands out is having some type of internship. While it does not have to be in the precise area of the employer's industry, my observations have been that employers like to see that they have some type of hands-on experience. In addition, employers also speak highly of being involved on campus, in various clubs, and positive community involvement.