If you’re an accounting student or a seasoned professional considering a career shift, it’s essential to understand what type of accountant gets paid the most. In 2025, compensation varies significantly between public and internal accounting roles, influenced by experience, certification, and industry focus.
📊 Public Accounting: High Earnings with Rigorous Demands
Public accounting firms, especially the Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG), offer some of the highest-paying roles in the industry. Here’s a breakdown of typical positions and their average salaries:
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Staff Accountant: $50,000–$67,000
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Senior Accountant: $68,000–$82,000
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Manager (Small Firm): $71,000–$125,000
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Manager (Large Firm): $103,000–$160,000
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Partner (Small Firm): $101,000–$200,000
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Partner (Large Firm): $166,000–$330,000
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Executive Committee Member: Up to $932,000 (accountingtoday.com)
Public accountants often enjoy higher starting salaries and diverse experiences working with multiple clients. However, the role demands long hours and frequent travel, which can impact work-life balance (becker.com).
🏢 Public Accounting Remote Work: Mid-Size Firms
Remote work is increasingly common in mid-size public accounting firms, allowing accountants to balance career growth with flexibility. While compensation may be slightly lower than on-site roles at large firms, remote public accounting positions still offer competitive salaries:
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Remote Staff Accountant: $55,000–$70,000
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Remote Senior Accountant: $72,000–$90,000
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Remote Accounting Manager: $95,000–$140,000
Remote roles allow accountants to reduce commuting stress, manage work-life balance better, and work with multiple clients across regions (vintti.com).
🧾 Tax Accounting Roles: High Earning Potential
Tax accounting is one of the most lucrative specializations in both public and internal accounting. Salaries vary depending on firm size, certification, and whether the role is client-facing or internal.
Public Accounting Tax Roles:
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Tax Staff: $55,000–$70,000
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Tax Senior: $75,000–$95,000
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Tax Manager: $100,000–$150,000
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Tax Director/Partner: $180,000–$350,000+
Internal/Corporate Tax Roles:
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Tax Accountant: $65,000–$85,000
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Senior Tax Accountant: $85,000–$110,000
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Tax Manager: $110,000–$145,000
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Director of Tax: $150,000–$200,000+
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VP of Tax / Chief Tax Officer: $200,000+ (vintti.com)
📋 Audit Roles: Core Public Accounting Specialty
Audit remains a cornerstone of public accounting, offering both career growth and high compensation:
Public Accounting Audit Roles:
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Audit Staff: $55,000–$70,000
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Audit Senior: $72,000–$90,000
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Audit Manager: $100,000–$145,000
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Audit Director/Partner: $180,000–$350,000+
Auditors develop strong technical skills, client-facing experience, and industry exposure—key for moving into advisory, fractional CFO, or executive roles later in their career.
🏢 Fractional CFO & Controller Roles in Public Accounting
Many mid-size and larger public accounting firms now offer fractional CFO and controller services for clients, providing high-level financial leadership without the client hiring a full-time executive. Compensation for these positions is competitive and often project-based:
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Fractional Controller: $120,000–$180,000
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Fractional CFO: $150,000–$250,000+
🏢 Internal Accounting: Stability and Growth Potential
Internal accounting positions provide long-term stability and opportunities for advancement. Here’s a look at typical roles and their average salaries:
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Staff Accountant: $65,000
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Senior Accountant: $85,000
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Accounting Manager: $110,000
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Controller: $150,000
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Chief Financial Officer (CFO): $200,000+
📊 Side-by-Side Comparison of Accounting Roles and Salaries (2025)
| Role / Specialty | Level | Typical Salary (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Accounting | Staff Accountant | $50,000–$67,000 | On-site Big Four or regional firms |
| Senior Accountant | $68,000–$82,000 | Client-facing, multi-industry exposure | |
| Manager (Small Firm) | $71,000–$125,000 | Managing small client portfolios | |
| Manager (Large Firm) | $103,000–$160,000 | Managing larger clients or teams | |
| Partner (Small Firm) | $101,000–$200,000 | Profit-sharing starts at this level | |
| Partner (Large Firm) | $166,000–$330,000 | Top-level compensation potential | |
| Executive Committee Member | Up to $932,000 | Leadership of major firm decisions | |
| Remote Public Accounting | Staff Accountant | $55,000–$70,000 | Work from home, mid-size firms |
| Senior Accountant | $72,000–$90,000 | Flexible schedule with multiple clients | |
| Accounting Manager | $95,000–$140,000 | Oversees remote client engagements | |
| Tax Accounting (Public) | Tax Staff | $55,000–$70,000 | CPA or EA credentials preferred |
| Tax Senior | $75,000–$95,000 | Client-facing tax compliance work | |
| Tax Manager | $100,000–$150,000 | Manages tax teams and strategy | |
| Tax Director / Partner | $180,000–$350,000+ | Top-level tax strategy and advisory | |
| Tax Accounting (Internal / Corporate) | Tax Accountant | $65,000–$85,000 | In-house tax compliance |
| Senior Tax Accountant | $85,000–$110,000 | Advanced tax planning | |
| Tax Manager | $110,000–$145,000 | Oversees corporate tax team | |
| Director of Tax | $150,000–$200,000+ | Strategic leadership | |
| VP of Tax / Chief Tax Officer | $200,000+ | Executive-level tax strategy | |
| Audit Roles (Public) | Audit Staff | $55,000–$70,000 | Entry-level client audits |
| Audit Senior | $72,000–$90,000 | Supervises junior auditors | |
| Audit Manager | $100,000–$145,000 | Manages audit engagements | |
| Audit Director / Partner | $180,000–$350,000+ | Oversees audit department | |
| Fractional CFO / Controller (Public) | Fractional Controller | $120,000–$180,000 | Advisory and management for multiple clients |
| Fractional CFO | $150,000–$250,000+ | Strategic leadership for multiple organizations | |
| Internal Accounting | Staff Accountant | $65,000 | Steady, single-company focus |
| Senior Accountant | $85,000 | Advanced internal reporting | |
| Accounting Manager | $110,000 | Oversees internal accounting team | |
| Controller | $150,000 | Full financial operations management | |
| Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | $200,000+ | Executive-level leadership |
🧭 Choosing the Right Path: What Type of Accountant Gets Paid the Most?
If you’re still asking yourself “what type of accountant gets paid the most?”, consider:
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Compensation: Public accounting, particularly partner-level, tax-focused, or fractional executive roles, offer the highest salaries.
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Work-Life Balance: Internal accounting positions and remote public accounting roles provide predictable hours. Fractional roles offer flexible schedules.
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Career Growth: Public accounting can offer faster progression; internal accounting provides stability.
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Interest and Skills: Tax and audit roles require attention to detail and regulatory knowledge; fractional CFO/Controller roles need strategic and leadership skills.
🤝 How Accountingfly Can Help
Whether you’re a job seeker or a company looking to hire, Accountingfly is your partner for accounting career success:
For Accounting Job Seekers:
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Discover high-paying roles across public, internal, tax, audit, and fractional positions.
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Access remote and flexible opportunities, including mid-size public accounting firms.
For Firms and Companies Hiring Accountants:
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Fill critical roles faster—whether you need staff accountants, senior managers, fractional CFOs, or controllers.
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Reduce hiring risk and cost by letting Accountingfly handle sourcing, screening, and candidate matching.
💬 Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering what type of accountant gets paid the most, this guide breaks down public, internal, tax, audit, and fractional CFO roles. With Accountingfly, you can find the right role or hire the right talent efficiently, making your next accounting career or hiring decision faster, smarter, and more rewarding.
🚀 Ready to Take the Next Step in Accounting?
Job Seekers: Find high-paying accounting roles that match your skills and career goals—public, internal, tax, audit, fractional CFO, and controller positions. Submit your resume today and get matched with top firms.
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🔗 Resources to Explore Accounting Specialties
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Robert Half’s 2026 Salary Guide – Detailed salary benchmarks for public, internal, tax, audit, and fractional roles.
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Accounting Today’s 2025 Salary Survey – Insights into compensation for different accounting positions and firm sizes.
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Becker’s CPA Salary Insights – Explains the impact of CPA certification on career growth and earning potential.
