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Job outlook for senior tax accountants in the United States
Senior tax accountant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior tax accountant job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 81,800 new jobs for senior tax accountants are projected over the next decade.
Senior tax accountant salaries have increased 8% for senior tax accountants in the last 5 years.
There are over 169,813 senior tax accountants currently employed in the United States.
There are 57,686 active senior tax accountant job openings in the US.
The average senior tax accountant salary is $77,537.
Are senior tax accountant jobs in demand?
Senior tax accountant job and salary trends over time
Senior tax accountant jobs over time
Senior tax accountant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 169,813 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 163,269 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 164,213 | 0.05% |
| 2018 | 161,357 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 158,754 | 0.05% |
Average senior tax accountant salary over time
Senior tax accountant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $77,537 | $37.28 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $75,418 | $36.26 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $74,311 | $35.73 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $73,099 | $35.14 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $71,834 | $34.54 | +1.4% |
Senior tax accountant jobs by state
Most common states for senior tax accountants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 246 | 35% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 817 | 12% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 641 | 11% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 622 | 11% |
| 5 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 390 | 11% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 347 | 11% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 112 | 11% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 106 | 11% |
| 9 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,309 | 10% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 105 | 10% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 549 | 9% |
| 12 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 547 | 9% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 276 | 9% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 121 | 9% |
| 15 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,143 | 8% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 793 | 8% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 662 | 8% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 325 | 8% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 149 | 8% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 49 | 8% |
Most common cities for senior tax accountants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Portland | 6 | 23% | $64,320 |
| 2 | Dover | 3 | 8% | $78,338 |
| 3 | Bethesda | 3 | 5% | $76,752 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 13 | 3% | $73,032 |
| 5 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $76,581 |
| 6 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $68,116 |
| 7 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $80,202 |
| 8 | Denver | 6 | 1% | $68,886 |
| 9 | Minneapolis | 4 | 1% | $63,945 |
| 10 | Oakland | 4 | 1% | $84,393 |
| 11 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $83,685 |
| 12 | Tampa | 4 | 1% | $68,546 |
| 13 | Des Moines | 3 | 1% | $63,606 |
| 14 | Chicago | 10 | 0% | $70,572 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 7 | 0% | $74,292 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 5 | 0% | $78,939 |
| 17 | San Diego | 5 | 0% | $78,032 |
| 18 | Austin | 3 | 0% | $75,842 |
| 19 | Jacksonville | 3 | 0% | $67,968 |
Senior Tax Accountant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior tax accountant experts
Hunter College of the City University of New York
Kent State University
Seattle University
University of Memphis
Washington and Lee University
Loyola University Chicago
Virginia Commonwealth University
Gonzaga University
Pace University
University of New Orleans
Minnesota State University - Mankato
The University of Texas at Arlington
Skyline College
Muhlenberg College
Indiana University Northwest
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kaylee Zupancic: To maximize students' starting salary, I suggest gaining internship experience during their junior and/or senior year. I also suggest starting the process of obtaining specific certifications (i.e. CPA, CMA, CFE) that will be useful in their field of interest as soon as they can.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Kaylee Zupancic: While it is hard to know what the future holds with constant advancements to technology and AI, I believe there will always be a need for the human experience in the professional world. Clients will be looking for personable individuals who are approachable and can answer questions simply. Thanks to AI’s ability to complete a lot of the accounting tasks that seem mundane and monotonous, accountants and CPAs have the opportunity to find creative solutions to bigger issues, create better accounting processes and help their clients’ grow their businesses.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Dina El Mahdy Ph.D., CFE: Surprisingly, the important and most prevalent skills in the field over the next 3-5 years are soft skills such as an analytical mindset, communication (both orally and in writing), skepticism, independence, ethics, and integrity. Furthermore, familiarity with data analytics tools and software not only improves your work productivity but also helps you build expertise in the field. All these qualities can make a great accountant who can significantly impact the capital market by helping to protect investors and enhancing the usefulness of accounting information for various stakeholders.
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA
Director of Accounting ProgramsHunter College of the City University of New York
Accounting And Related Services
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Toshi Mitsudome PhD, CFA, CFP, CMA: Beside the technical skills, as in (1), students should work on their communication skills, both verbally and in writing. I see this is one of the areas where our students can substantially improve. Additionally, students should be comfortable with technologies and data analytics, i.e., statistics, advanced Excel skills, various software for data analytics and visualizations (Tableau, Power BI, Python, R, etc.). Accounting students don't have to be coding professionals; they just have to understand the basic functions and syntax of these software, so that they can communicate the results of data analysis with their team members and clients. Also, they can facilitate communications between the IT, programmers and accounting professionals. This technical skill is expected to be increasingly more important in the next 10 years.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Scott Miller CPA, CIA, CFE, MAcc: During school, Accounting students should aim to complete internships. Many Accounting firms now seek out underclassmen who have the potential to complete multiple internships with them prior to graduation. Students who complete multiple internships and build up their service time with a firm can reach their first promotion quicker than others. Accounting professionals should also strive to pass the CPA exam as early in their careers as possible. This is incentivized by Accounting firms providing bonuses to candidates who pass all 4 parts of the CPA exam within their first 1-2 years on the job. Additionally, masters programs in Accounting can serve the purpose of better preparing candidates to pass the CPA exam, as well as providing candidates with an additional qualification that could help boost salary potential. Other more specialized credentials like the CIA, CFE, and CISA can be differentiators for professionals looking to get ahead in their field.
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Scott Miller CPA, CIA, CFE, MAcc: Be up-to-date; never out-of-date. As technological advances continue over time, Accountants will be expected to keep pace. The Accounting profession has successfully adapted to change throughout its history, and accountants will need to continue to adapt. It is critical for accountants to remain as trusted business advisors who are capable of understanding and auditing the latest technology that their own firms and clients implement. Traditionally important skills such as critical thinking, empathy, and effective communication are necessary skills today and will remain so in the future.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Gabriel Saucedo PhD, CPA: Funny enough, the core skills expected and/or desired of an accounting professional in the next 3-5 years are likely the same as today, which are the same as they were 20 years ago when I started at KPMG as an Audit Associate. Firms (i.e., the profession) need someone who can think critically with an analytical mindset, proactively problem-solve, brainstorm and prioritize alternative solutions, and professionally articulate across any number of communication channels to any number of constituents. Accounting firms and companies continue to ask their recruits about their ability to meet deadlines, manage conflict, multi-task, etc. But what has changed and will continue to change are the technologies with which professionals will be asked to do all this, and perhaps where it will be done. In some cases, this may continue to be done remotely (at home) and in some cases there will be the need to work more across borders with constituents in a global business sphere. A little more regarding the evolution of technology. Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT are all the buzz and clearly something the profession needs to be in front of. Some may say these technologies and tools will make accounting absolute. But as history has shown, every time there has been an evolution in technology or tools (e.g., computers, spreadsheet software, data analytics) the demand for accountants has gone up. That is because these technologies have opened venues and processes for more risk, in addition to more informed decision-making. That said, graduates should also have, at minimum, a foundational knowledge of data analytics and technology to make sure they can identify the related risks, but also stay ahead of peers that may be studying other non-accounting degrees (e.g., computer science, data analytics, information technology.
Rita Green Ed.D.
Teaching Associate ProfessorUniversity of Memphis
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Rita Green Ed.D.: Current students should consider anchoring their education with a strong minor, which can be fulfilled with elective courses, which already make up a certain percentage of required credits for an undergraduate degree. It will also be important for accounting students to acquire and maintain competencies in data analytics. Accounting curriculums are being updated to respond to this necessary skillset.
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rita Green Ed.D.: To be competitive for the best opportunities in the field, accounting graduates should consider pursuing certifications, which include the certified public accountant (CPA) and certified management accountant (CMA), amongst several others. Sometimes, certification can be more valuable than a degree. However, accounting certifications already require specific numbers of accounting education credits in order to sit for certification exams.
Colin Reid
Associate Professor of AccountingWashington and Lee University
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
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.
Dr. KC Rakow Ph.D., CPA
Associate Professor of AccountingLoyola University Chicago
Business/Managerial Economics
What Senior Tax Accountant 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.
Prof James Holland
Professor of AccountingVirginia Commonwealth University
Accounting And Related Services
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof James Holland: Communication, Excel, and problem solving skills.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants 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 Senior Tax Accountants 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 general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Andrew Brajcich: Tax technical skills will always be important. But now those are just table stakes. To be a value-adding advisor to your client or team, you need technological skills including some coding and database management skills. And it has to be more than Excel. I don’t care if it’s exposure to Python or SQL or Tableau or Alteryx or something else. You need to understand how technologies work because they will change but the fundamental concepts behind the tools remain.
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrew Brajcich: Ask yourself, “What can I do to make the job of the person above me easier.” That should be your guiding light. If you approach every workday with that, you’ll soon find yourself on better clients, working with better teams, and moving up in the organization.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Andrew Brajcich: 1) Be open to anything. You might be surprised at what you discover. 2) Be nimble. Most career paths are a zig zag. Few are direct. 3) Learn how to leverage AI without being over reliant. In tax, it has a long ways to go so hop on for the ride but double check every aspect of the work product. You can learn with it. And of course get permission before using any tools.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Cynthia Bolt-Lee: Licensure has to be at the top of the list, as credentialing validates one's competency. Don’t wait! Your mind is strong right after graduation, and your ability to learn should be leveraged. Whether it’s the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or other certifications, your marketability will be enhanced. Continuing education will be required with licensure, but it also demonstrates your commitment to professional growth when strategically chosen to enhance a specialty. Ten years ago, the advances in AI were not even considered and no doubt the future will expand exponentially as AI is adapted in the workplace. Finally, networking provides professionals with career advancement opportunities. Never discount the value of a strong, trustworthy mentor.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Dr. Barbara Farrell CPA: Pass the CPA exam before you start working. That will almost certainly earn you a bonus and put you ahead of your peers.
Get additional certifications such as Microsoft Office certifications, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Internal Auditor to name a few.
Be willing to volunteer for additional assignments.
Network within the firm and join professional organizations such as AICPA, State Society of CPAs etc
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Barbara Farrell CPA: The field of public accounting is changing rapidly. Technology has become an integral part of the profession in tax, audit and consulting. It would be my suggestion to all students to use any elective credits within their degree program to become familiar with technology. In addition, excellent communication skills (oral and written) are critical. Use your liberal arts class electives to take communications and public speaking classes.
Once you enter the profession, keep learning! Whenever you are offered the opportunity to take a course, learn a new skill, or enhance your knowledge, take advantage of it!
Whatever firm you join will likely have social events and get-togethers. Go! Go into the office as much as possible. Network! Get to know those you work with to make connections for your future.
Be careful what you post on any social media platform! Pictures and postings can have repercussions.
Finally, get your CPA license ASAP! DO not wait. Start taking the exam while you are in school. Once you start working, your time to study is limited!
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Barbara Farrell CPA: Technology skills will be important in any area of public accounting. Whatever firm you join will ask you to learn their tax, audit or consulting software. Dive in and learn as much as possible. Be open to taking as many courses as possible. Knowledge of data analytics will be increasingly important going forward. The audit process is becoming more streamlined by the use of technology as is the tax preparation process.
Amanuel Tadesse Ph.D., CISA
Associate ProfessorUniversity of New Orleans
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Amanuel Tadesse Ph.D., CISA: Passing certification exams or earning professional certificates such as CPA, CIA, CISA, etc. can give you something that HR can input in salary determination models and justify higher starting salary offers. Given the relevance of technology in accounting, one simple certification that every graduate should consider is in Excel, for the type of spreadsheet the hiring organization uses (for example, if the hiring organization uses Google sheets, the certification in that tool will be best). Other certificates in the enterprise resource planning or accounting system, analytic tools, and other areas that employers list in their job advertisements can be potential areas to increase the chances of getting hired as well as getting higher offers. Having internships and relevant work experience will also bump initial offers. Once hired, creating a brand, networking, communicating well, building relationships, and participating in professional associations can all help new hires develop professionally and will be essential for career success.
Byron Pike Ph.D., CPA
Master of Accounting (MAcc) Program Director, Allen Lenzmeier Accounting Professor of External Partnerships, Professor of AccountingMinnesota State University - Mankato
Accounting And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Byron Pike Ph.D., CPA: The number one way to maximize salary and future job prospects is through ensuring one is on a pathway towards and obtains their CPA license. Beyond this critical designation, networking is the next best way for individuals to set themselves up for success. The accounting profession is much smaller than anyone thinks. Technical expertise and a CPA license are important. Individuals, however, also need a network of peers, mentors, clients, and future employers to ensure they achieve their full potential.
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Byron Pike Ph.D., CPA: Accounting is a technical discipline where one must be a knowledge expert and have the ability to utilize technology to enhance their proficiency. To be successful, one needs more than an expertise in a particular software, program, or technology. The profession has and will continue to utilize cutting edge tools/technology to be more efficient. Thus, one should develop a background and mindset that is willing and able to adapt, change, and learn/utilize new tools as they are developed. With that said, accountants are technical experts, trusted advisors, and those with the greatest knowable about the financial performance of an organization. None of this information is of value unless individuals can communicate this information to decision makers. The ability network, communicate, and articulate one’s knowledge in a way that is understandable to non-accountants is critical for success in this profession.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Byron Pike Ph.D., CPA: There is no better time to be joining the accounting profession. However, if this is a career that you are passionate about, you should be on an academic and professional track that leads to Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure. There are many certifications available to accountants. The CPA designation is largely considered the top credential for accountants. CPAs have more job prospects, receive higher compensation, and report greater job satisfaction compared to non-CPA accountants. The CPA profession was extremely popular for baby boomers. As these boomers continue to retire at high rates, there is a huge need for CPAs today and into the foreseeable future. If you enter the accounting profession and become a CPA, you will have unlimited opportunities across all functions of the business for the rest of your career. Accounting is the functional language of business, and a background in it will yield dividends throughout your entire career.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Kenton Klaus: As noted above, the best way to maximize salary potential is to quickly narrow down the areas of tax where the graduate student can separate themselves from other candidates. If the graduate student did his or her homework before finishing their graduate studies, they will be able to demonstrate to employers that they have a deeper knowledge of the technical areas in which they have an interest, along with the applicable technology.
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kenton Klaus: Taxation is a very broad discipline, so it's important for a new tax professional to understand all the opportunities available for them to use their graduate degree. In some cases, graduate students have already been in the workforce, and have specific plans to return to a certain area of practice. However, many students have not explored the available opportunities to see which line up best with their interests and skills. I encourage graduate students to explore the market before they graduate, reach out to alumni who work in different areas of the tax profession, and speak with the professors for the courses that most interested them.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Kenton Klaus: Taxation is a very broad discipline, so it's important for a new tax professional to understand all the opportunities available for them to use their graduate degree. In some cases, graduate students have already been in the workforce, and have specific plans to return to a certain area of practice. However, many students have not explored the available opportunities to see which line up best with their interests and skills. I encourage graduate students to explore the market before they graduate, reach out to alumni who work in different areas of the tax profession, and speak with the professors for the courses that most interested them.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Tax Accountant?
Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY): Choosing a career in accounting today is particularly appealing due to the strong demand for skilled professionals in the field. Accounting stands out for its stability, offering a secure and reliable career path. The diversity within the profession, including areas like tax accounting and financial analysis, provides individuals with flexibility to align their work with their specific interests. With a global relevance, accountants are in high demand internationally. The current technological advancements have streamlined routine tasks, allowing professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles. Pursuing well-regarded certifications, such as the CPA designation, ensures continuous learning and opens avenues for career advancement. Additionally, the flexibility for remote work and potential for entrepreneurial ventures make accounting a highly sought-after and promising choice in response to the prevalent demand for skilled professionals.
What Senior Tax Accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY): Some individuals may find the work routine and meticulous, as attention to detail is paramount in accounting. Meeting deadlines, especially during tax season, can lead to periods of heightened stress. Additionally, the demanding nature of staying abreast of ever-changing tax laws and regulations can be seen as both a positive challenge for those who enjoy continuous learning and a potential source of stress for others. Overall, while accounting provides stability and numerous rewarding aspects, it also requires a commitment to precision and adaptability to navigate its challenges.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants increase their earning potential?
Dr. J. Klaus Ph.D., CPA (KY): Tax accountants hold a pivotal role in managing financial records, ensuring tax compliance, and offering strategic financial guidance. Their daily activities encompass preparing tax returns, conducting financial analyses, and staying abreast of dynamic tax regulations. Recent graduates embark on a fulfilling journey, starting with foundational tasks and progressing through training, collaboration with experienced professionals, and client engagement. This profession offers continuous learning opportunities, with many aspiring to attain certifications like the CPA designation. Ultimately, becoming a tax accountant is not only rewarding but also crucial in contributing to financial transparency, efficiency, and compliance for individuals and businesses alike.
Tony Viertel
Accounting Dept. CoordinatorSkyline College
Accounting And Related Services
What Senior Tax Accountant 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.
What will help Senior Tax Accountants 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.
Jaclyn Barkow
Clinical Assistant Professor of AccountingIndiana University Northwest
Accounting Department
What skills stand out on Senior Tax Accountant resumes?
Jaclyn Barkow: I do not do company hiring, but from my interactions with employers, major items that stand out on resumes are having an internship or completing volunteer work preparing tax returns. Successfully completing an internship shows the student what to expect during tax season and the challenges that come with it. Employers know that students understand the profession and know what they are applying for. Those who volunteer to prepare tax returns through local organizations (United Way, or AARP, for example) demonstrate the ability to pass IRS certification requirements, prepare tax returns, and in the process help the community.
What soft skills should all Senior Tax Accountants possess?
Jaclyn Barkow: The most valuable soft skill is communication. Being able to communicate effectively with colleagues, superiors, and clients. Communication comes in the form of written and oral. Effective communication also entails knowing when to listen, when to respond, and asking questions. Young accountants will also not know everything upon entering the workplace; asking questions is important for the learning process.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Tax Accountants?
Jaclyn Barkow: Understanding tax return preparation is important. This is where the internship or volunteer work stands out on resumes. Tax law changes every year, so remembering what is in a textbook becomes obsolete year after year. Research skills are important for keeping up with the ever-changing tax law.
The profession is also changing so that tax accountants must have a working understanding of information security and maintaining client information confidentially. Data security is extremely important in the profession, and identity theft is very common in tax return preparation. Having some technical information systems and information security understanding is valuable to maintaining sensitive information.