average salary for cpa
Certification. A 2012 survey conducted by Robert Half Finance & Accounting, a national financial recruiter, found that first-year accountants earn $35,250 to $42,750 a year at small companies. But with a professional certification, salaries increase by an average of 5 to 10 percent. In this situation, a CPA can expect to earn $37,013 to $47,025 a year. Those at midsize companies earn $39,375 to $51,700 a year, while those at large companies earn even higher salaries, averaging $41,738 to $54,450 a year.