Becoming a Certified Public Accountant via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Ashford University, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering accounting courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
accountants,
finance accountants,
forensic accountants,
tax accountants,
bookkeepers,
certified public accountants,
bookkeeping clerks, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 1,106,980 people employed as
accountants and auditors alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$67,430.
Financial examiners make on average $79,070
per year and there are about 26,050
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Ashford University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Certified Public Accountant
- Accounting office
- Home
- Corporation
- Public accounting firm
- Schools
- Law office
- Private businesses
- Consulting office
- Insurance office
- Government agency
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Certified Public Accountant
- Plentiful job opportunities
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills
- Opportunity to be self-employed
- Job security
- Independence and responsibilbility
- Attractive salary
- Possibility to work flexible hours
- Possibility of working from home
- Develop accounting skills
- Meet many people
Potential Drawbacks
- Tax season
- Communicating with clients
- Need for perfection and accuracy
- Dealing with the federal government on a regular basis
- Keeping up with current tax laws and changes
- Long hours
- Slow advancement
- Level of education needed
- Necessary typing skills
- Working under continual deadlines
Related Professions to Consider
- Auditor
- Finance Consultant
- Budget Analyst
- Financial Advisor
- Investment Analyst
- Tax Accountant
- Forensic Accountant
- Financial Controller
- Wealth Manager
- Benefits Analyst
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Certified Public Accountant
- What is your educational background?
- What type of accounting is your specialty?
- What audits have you worked on?
- What unique skills or knowledge can you contribute to our company?
- Tell me about your experience in reconciliation?
- When do you plan on attaining your CPA?
- Why have you chosen a career in accounting?
- What salary are you seeking?
- If we were to call your current supervisor- in which area of accounting would he or she say is your strongest?
- Give us an example of how you have used your creativity to solve a problem on the job?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Accountant
- Bookkeeper
- Chief Financial Officer
- Senior Manager
- Chief Executive Officer
- Manager
- Partner
- Executive Assistant
- Secretary
- Senior Accountant
Certified Public Accountant Training books
Certified Public Accountant (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Auditing & Attestation
- Accounting for Not-For-Profits
- Cost Accounting
- Accounting Information Systems
- Topics in Accounting
- Advanced Accounting Principles
- Managerial Accounting
- Auditing Evidence
- Development of Accounting Theory
- International Accounting
Certified Public Accountant Salary Information
Category: Accountants and auditors
| Total # Employed in the US |
1,106,980 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$32.42/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $18.12 |
$22.47 |
$29.01 |
$38.21 |
$50.22 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$67,430 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $37,690 |
$46,740 |
$60,340 |
$79,470 |
$104,450 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.3% |
5.3% |
8.9% |
10.5% |
55.6% |
17.0% |
2.4% |
|
Accountants and auditors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Oklahoma |
$40.52/hr
|
$84,280
|
| Florida |
$38.46/hr
|
$79,990
|
| North Dakota |
$38.14/hr
|
$79,330
|
| Mississippi |
$36.65/hr
|
$76,220
|
| Missouri |
$35.23/hr
|
$73,290
|
| Colorado |
$34.7/hr
|
$72,170
|
| Delaware |
$34.19/hr
|
$71,120
|
| Idaho |
$33.6/hr
|
$69,890
|
| Kansas |
$33.49/hr
|
$69,660
|
| District of Columbia |
$33.15/hr
|
$68,950
|
| Connecticut |
$33.13/hr
|
$68,910
|
| Utah |
$32.59/hr
|
$67,780
|
| Alaska |
$31.79/hr
|
$66,120
|
| Wyoming |
$31.63/hr
|
$65,780
|
| Virginia |
$31.44/hr
|
$65,390
|
| Montana |
$30.93/hr
|
$64,330
|
| Puerto Rico |
$30.85/hr
|
$64,180
|
| Oregon |
$30.65/hr
|
$63,750
|
| South Carolina |
$30.21/hr
|
$62,830
|
| Kentucky |
$30.09/hr
|
$62,580
|
| Hawaii |
$29.93/hr
|
$62,260
|
| Tennessee |
$29.33/hr
|
$61,010
|
| Nebraska |
$29.28/hr
|
$60,900
|
| Guam |
$29.09/hr
|
$60,510
|
| Ohio |
$29.03/hr
|
$60,380
|
| New Mexico |
$28.82/hr
|
$59,950
|
| North Carolina |
$28.66/hr
|
$59,610
|
| New York |
$28.48/hr
|
$59,250
|
| Alabama |
$28.31/hr
|
$58,870
|
| New Hampshire |
$28.27/hr
|
$58,800
|
| Iowa |
$28.2/hr
|
$58,660
|
| Arkansas |
$28.13/hr
|
$58,500
|
| Louisiana |
$28.1/hr
|
$58,460
|
| Michigan |
$28/hr
|
$58,240
|
| Wisconsin |
$27.58/hr
|
$57,370
|
| Indiana |
$27.34/hr
|
$56,860
|
| Washington |
$27.09/hr
|
$56,350
|
| New Jersey |
$27.08/hr
|
$56,330
|
| Maine |
$27.07/hr
|
$56,300
|
| Maryland |
$26.44/hr
|
$54,990
|
| Massachusetts |
$26.22/hr
|
$54,540
|
| South Dakota |
$25.94/hr
|
$53,950
|
| Nevada |
$25.94/hr
|
$53,950
|
| West Virginia |
$25.56/hr
|
$53,160
|
| California |
$25.24/hr
|
$52,490
|
| Pennsylvania |
$24.3/hr
|
$50,550
|
Category: Financial examiners
| Total # Employed in the US |
26,050 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$38.01/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $19.56 |
$24.96 |
$34.49 |
$48.02 |
$62.32 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$79,070 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $40,680 |
$51,920 |
$71,750 |
$99,870 |
$129,620 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.2% |
7.8% |
11.7% |
4.7% |
57.2% |
16.5% |
1.9% |
|
Financial examiners — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Florida |
$60.77/hr
|
$126,410
|
| Kansas |
$43.83/hr
|
$91,170
|
| Oklahoma |
$42.68/hr
|
$88,780
|
| North Dakota |
$42.61/hr
|
$88,620
|
| Delaware |
$42.32/hr
|
$88,020
|
| Oregon |
$42.24/hr
|
$87,870
|
| Colorado |
$40.7/hr
|
$84,650
|
| Missouri |
$39.81/hr
|
$82,810
|
| Idaho |
$39.5/hr
|
$82,160
|
| Ohio |
$39.39/hr
|
$81,930
|
| District of Columbia |
$39.04/hr
|
$81,210
|
| Connecticut |
$38.92/hr
|
$80,950
|
| Hawaii |
$38.74/hr
|
$80,580
|
| Utah |
$38.02/hr
|
$79,080
|
| South Dakota |
$37.37/hr
|
$77,730
|
| Massachusetts |
$36.74/hr
|
$76,410
|
| Wyoming |
$36.71/hr
|
$76,360
|
| New Hampshire |
$36.66/hr
|
$76,240
|
| South Carolina |
$36.46/hr
|
$75,840
|
| Virginia |
$36.1/hr
|
$75,090
|
| Kentucky |
$36.06/hr
|
$75,010
|
| Louisiana |
$35.69/hr
|
$74,230
|
| North Carolina |
$35.48/hr
|
$73,790
|
| Maine |
$35.14/hr
|
$73,100
|
| Maryland |
$34.42/hr
|
$71,600
|
| Guam |
$34.33/hr
|
$71,400
|
| Wisconsin |
$34.22/hr
|
$71,190
|
| Washington |
$33.96/hr
|
$70,630
|
| Nebraska |
$33.32/hr
|
$69,300
|
| Montana |
$33.09/hr
|
$68,830
|
| Tennessee |
$33.08/hr
|
$68,810
|
| Pennsylvania |
$32.73/hr
|
$68,080
|
| New Mexico |
$32.5/hr
|
$67,600
|
| Indiana |
$31.98/hr
|
$66,520
|
| Mississippi |
$31.86/hr
|
$66,260
|
| West Virginia |
$31.84/hr
|
$66,220
|
| Michigan |
$30.9/hr
|
$64,280
|
| New Jersey |
$30.3/hr
|
$63,030
|
| Puerto Rico |
$29.96/hr
|
$62,310
|
| California |
$28.88/hr
|
$60,060
|
| Nevada |
$28.64/hr
|
$59,570
|
| Alabama |
$27.78/hr
|
$57,790
|
| Arkansas |
$27.69/hr
|
$57,590
|
| Iowa |
$25.41/hr
|
$52,860
|
Category: Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents
| Total # Employed in the US |
69,500 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$25.87/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $13.94 |
$17.9 |
$23.34 |
$32.37 |
$43.72 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$53,800 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $28,990 |
$37,240 |
$48,550 |
$67,330 |
$90,940 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.9% |
21.1% |
23.6% |
9.6% |
35.8% |
7.6% |
1.4% |
|
Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Delaware |
$35.21/hr
|
$73,230
|
| Alaska |
$34.87/hr
|
$72,520
|
| North Dakota |
$34.35/hr
|
$71,440
|
| Indiana |
$33.75/hr
|
$70,200
|
| Kansas |
$32.41/hr
|
$67,410
|
| Pennsylvania |
$32.28/hr
|
$67,150
|
| Montana |
$31.7/hr
|
$65,930
|
| Connecticut |
$30.7/hr
|
$63,860
|
| Colorado |
$30.17/hr
|
$62,750
|
| Oklahoma |
$30.08/hr
|
$62,580
|
| Virginia |
$29.62/hr
|
$61,610
|
| New York |
$29.44/hr
|
$61,230
|
| Mississippi |
$29.37/hr
|
$61,090
|
| Missouri |
$29.22/hr
|
$60,780
|
| South Carolina |
$28.61/hr
|
$59,500
|
| Louisiana |
$27.89/hr
|
$58,020
|
| Nebraska |
$27.38/hr
|
$56,960
|
| Ohio |
$26.56/hr
|
$55,240
|
| District of Columbia |
$26.23/hr
|
$54,550
|
| New Jersey |
$25.98/hr
|
$54,040
|
| Alabama |
$25.5/hr
|
$53,050
|
| Arkansas |
$25.33/hr
|
$52,690
|
| New Mexico |
$25.25/hr
|
$52,520
|
| Wyoming |
$24.99/hr
|
$51,970
|
| Iowa |
$24.74/hr
|
$51,450
|
| Tennessee |
$24.52/hr
|
$51,000
|
| Kentucky |
$24.26/hr
|
$50,470
|
| Wisconsin |
$24.21/hr
|
$50,360
|
| North Carolina |
$23.71/hr
|
$49,320
|
| Puerto Rico |
$23.68/hr
|
$49,260
|
| Oregon |
$23.25/hr
|
$48,360
|
| Massachusetts |
$23.01/hr
|
$47,850
|
| South Dakota |
$22.77/hr
|
$47,370
|
| Washington |
$22.62/hr
|
$47,060
|
| Maryland |
$21.85/hr
|
$45,450
|
| Utah |
$21.77/hr
|
$45,280
|
| New Hampshire |
$21.75/hr
|
$45,240
|
| Guam |
$21.71/hr
|
$45,150
|
| Idaho |
$21.59/hr
|
$44,900
|
| West Virginia |
$21.33/hr
|
$44,360
|
| Hawaii |
$21.06/hr
|
$43,810
|
| Maine |
$20.94/hr
|
$43,560
|
| California |
$20.48/hr
|
$42,600
|
| Michigan |
$20.1/hr
|
$41,810
|
| Nevada |
$18.71/hr
|
$38,920
|
Category: Tax preparers
| Total # Employed in the US |
61,130 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$17.34/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $8.5 |
$10.47 |
$14.45 |
$21.82 |
$30.9 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$36,060 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $17,680 |
$21,780 |
$30,060 |
$45,390 |
$64,270 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.1% |
15.5% |
24.8% |
8.8% |
31.5% |
12.5% |
4.9% |
|
Tax preparers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Missouri |
$29.06/hr
|
$60,440
|
| Alaska |
$27.49/hr
|
$57,170
|
| Colorado |
$23.86/hr
|
$49,620
|
| Indiana |
$23.73/hr
|
$49,350
|
| North Dakota |
$23.29/hr
|
$48,450
|
| District of Columbia |
$20.62/hr
|
$42,880
|
| North Carolina |
$20.6/hr
|
$42,850
|
| New Mexico |
$20.01/hr
|
$41,630
|
| Mississippi |
$19.97/hr
|
$41,540
|
| Puerto Rico |
$19.86/hr
|
$41,310
|
| Connecticut |
$19.58/hr
|
$40,740
|
| Tennessee |
$19.5/hr
|
$40,560
|
| New York |
$18.85/hr
|
$39,210
|
| Idaho |
$18.8/hr
|
$39,100
|
| Guam |
$18.34/hr
|
$38,140
|
| Wyoming |
$18.14/hr
|
$37,720
|
| Arkansas |
$17.71/hr
|
$36,830
|
| Iowa |
$17.14/hr
|
$35,650
|
| Nebraska |
$16.73/hr
|
$34,800
|
| Virginia |
$16.69/hr
|
$34,720
|
| Delaware |
$16.66/hr
|
$34,660
|
| Kentucky |
$16.21/hr
|
$33,730
|
| Kansas |
$16.11/hr
|
$33,500
|
| South Carolina |
$15.6/hr
|
$32,450
|
| Wisconsin |
$15.36/hr
|
$31,950
|
| Utah |
$15.3/hr
|
$31,830
|
| Oklahoma |
$15.12/hr
|
$31,450
|
| Washington |
$15.04/hr
|
$31,280
|
| New Hampshire |
$14.96/hr
|
$31,110
|
| West Virginia |
$14.58/hr
|
$30,330
|
| Florida |
$14.48/hr
|
$30,120
|
| Maine |
$14.41/hr
|
$29,980
|
| Massachusetts |
$14/hr
|
$29,120
|
| Ohio |
$13.89/hr
|
$28,890
|
| Michigan |
$13.86/hr
|
$28,820
|
| Oregon |
$13.77/hr
|
$28,650
|
| New Jersey |
$13.71/hr
|
$28,510
|
| Montana |
$13.7/hr
|
$28,490
|
| Alabama |
$13.37/hr
|
$27,810
|
| Maryland |
$13.04/hr
|
$27,120
|
| Nevada |
$12.65/hr
|
$26,320
|
| South Dakota |
$12.28/hr
|
$25,550
|
| California |
$12.25/hr
|
$25,470
|
| Hawaii |
$12.01/hr
|
$24,990
|
| Louisiana |
$11.85/hr
|
$24,660
|
Category: Bill and account collectors
| Total # Employed in the US |
403,100 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$15.65/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $10.22 |
$12.23 |
$14.87 |
$18.23 |
$22.32 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$32,560 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $21,250 |
$25,440 |
$30,940 |
$37,910 |
$46,430 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 4.4% |
33.6% |
35.2% |
10.9% |
13.7% |
1.8% |
0.5% |
|
Bill and account collectors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Missouri |
$18.9/hr
|
$39,310
|
| Florida |
$18.85/hr
|
$39,200
|
| Delaware |
$18.74/hr
|
$38,990
|
| Alaska |
$18.24/hr
|
$37,940
|
| Colorado |
$18.12/hr
|
$37,680
|
| Montana |
$17.53/hr
|
$36,460
|
| Indiana |
$17.32/hr
|
$36,020
|
| North Dakota |
$17.14/hr
|
$35,660
|
| Puerto Rico |
$17.07/hr
|
$35,510
|
| Oklahoma |
$17.06/hr
|
$35,490
|
| Mississippi |
$16.97/hr
|
$35,300
|
| New York |
$16.66/hr
|
$34,650
|
| Nebraska |
$16.39/hr
|
$34,090
|
| Virginia |
$16.37/hr
|
$34,060
|
| District of Columbia |
$16.15/hr
|
$33,590
|
| Connecticut |
$16.15/hr
|
$33,590
|
| Kansas |
$16.12/hr
|
$33,530
|
| Tennessee |
$16.01/hr
|
$33,310
|
| New Jersey |
$15.86/hr
|
$32,990
|
| Michigan |
$15.85/hr
|
$32,970
|
| North Carolina |
$15.57/hr
|
$32,390
|
| Utah |
$15.5/hr
|
$32,230
|
| Arkansas |
$15.47/hr
|
$32,170
|
| Iowa |
$15.41/hr
|
$32,060
|
| Hawaii |
$15.28/hr
|
$31,790
|
| Oregon |
$15.27/hr
|
$31,760
|
| Idaho |
$14.85/hr
|
$30,880
|
| New Mexico |
$14.75/hr
|
$30,680
|
| South Carolina |
$14.7/hr
|
$30,570
|
| Wyoming |
$14.54/hr
|
$30,240
|
| Guam |
$14.46/hr
|
$30,080
|
| Wisconsin |
$14.41/hr
|
$29,980
|
| Kentucky |
$14.36/hr
|
$29,880
|
| Massachusetts |
$14.32/hr
|
$29,780
|
| Louisiana |
$14.22/hr
|
$29,580
|
| New Hampshire |
$14.04/hr
|
$29,190
|
| Ohio |
$13.84/hr
|
$28,780
|
| Maine |
$13.76/hr
|
$28,620
|
| West Virginia |
$13.74/hr
|
$28,580
|
| Washington |
$13.73/hr
|
$28,550
|
| California |
$13.71/hr
|
$28,520
|
| South Dakota |
$13.58/hr
|
$28,260
|
| Alabama |
$13.54/hr
|
$28,160
|
| Pennsylvania |
$13.27/hr
|
$27,610
|
| Nevada |
$13.08/hr
|
$27,200
|
| Maryland |
$13/hr
|
$27,030
|
