Look at how much average accountants make, $64k

See the right hand side of your screen, and the graph says average accountants make $64k annually. What a big fat lie! Passing CPA exam with accounting degree won't even pay you $40k these days! this boring profession with lots of working hours make a "modern office slavery."

Its a employers market. It seems they want the best for less $.

I make 57k in DC. The market is comparable in Chicago. It depends what kind of job you are going for and it pays to really figure out what different types of accounting jobs there are (and any benefits/drawbacks).

I make 57k in DC. The market is comparable in Chicago. It depends what kind of job you are going for and it pays to really figure out what different types of accounting jobs there are (and any benefits/drawbacks). this is without my cpa. Also, focus more on where you will be down the road and what your level of opportunity is.

They said the 'average' accountant makes that. There's obviously a range attached. A decent beginning accounting job for someone with a CPA could easily be $40k as you mentioned (depending on market). Someone a few years into their career (which the average person probably is) should be able to make close to that average. If you get a good start with a Big-4 or other recognizable CPA firm, then you should be making more than that amount a few years into your career. I'm guessing this average also includes people that are making $100k+ in some of the more experienced roles (accounting manager, asst. controller and controller, director of acctg., etc.).

Yes its a lie. If you changed careers or pass cpa exam later in life, employers base your salary on your history. When I was looking for a job, I was making 55k at the present time. I passed the CPA and got my license and thought ya I'm getting 65k at least! and the recruiter even told me it would be unrealistic to be make 70, an expected amount should be 62k tops.

I am making 65K + 10%(CMA + degree+ few years exp). I have been at the same job for almost 4 years and start looking for jobs for more room to grow.

However, it seems to me many job ads have almost `unrealistic requirements' : 2-5+ yr exp (alot of them saying 5+), CPA/MBA/CMA, public accounting experience, advanced excel/access skill, great system/ERP skills...the interesting thing is all these are for STAFF ACCOUNTANT and I don't think it will even come close to my current salary.

I know it is employer market, but is it possible for them to find someone with all these requirements and willing to apply for this posiition??

I saw couple job ads from Fortune 500 companes with very demanding requirements around the same time last year. Guess what? The same ads are still on their websites again.