New York consistently ranks as the highest-paying state for CPAs in the U.S., with average annual salaries frequently exceeding $110,000 to $113,000, driven by the finance industry in NYC. Other top-paying states include the District of Columbia, California, New Jersey, and Washington. However, these high salaries are often offset by a high cost of living.
According to data from the BLS, the top five highest-paying states for CPAs in the U.S. are the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and California. The higher-than-average salaries for CPAs in these areas can be attributed to several factors: High demand for accounting services.
All states require 150 credit hours, but there are nuances and other potential requirements.
As others have noted, typically Toronto and Calgary offer the highest CPA salaries because those cities have the highest concentration of head offices in the country.
What's the Number of CPAs by State?
With the right amount of experience, being a certified public accountant can mean an eventual position as a chief financial officer (CFO) or a highly paid tax accountant. A CPA's salary usually reaches the high five figures, while senior CPAs in management can earn a six-figure salary.
10 Highest paying countries for chartered accountants
In India, INR 6,93,985 is the average salary pa for a CPA, as per Payscale.com. In many cities like Mumbai, the salary can go as high as 20.5 LPA. As per Glassdoor, the average CPA salary is $69K–$1L/yr (USD). This figure was derived from 360 salaries reported and updated on 10 Feb 2026.
A US CPA course qualification opens doors to some of the most rewarding career opportunities in India. With global recognition and strong demand from multinational companies, CPAs are well-positioned for leadership roles in accounting, finance, and advisory.
In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPAs earn 10% to 25% more than non-certified accountants. However, salaries of CPAs and non-certified accountants vary by industry. They can be higher than average in industries experiencing a lot of growth, such as financial technology or software.
It is difficult to determine which of these careers offers a higher salary, as the salary of a CA or CPA can differ based on several factors. However, generally, CAs tend to earn more than CPAs in India.
Richest Chartered Accountants in India. 1. Kumar Mangalam Birla (Net Worth: $19 billion) 2.
You have three attempts at the module exams and the CFE, so, if you are unsuccessful three times, you may consider attempting the CPA US course. Despite the lower pass rates, the US CPA exams are somewhat easier due to the objective format of the questions and extended exam windows.
About 90% of millionaires build wealth through long-term investing, often focusing on real estate, starting their own businesses, and making consistent, disciplined financial choices like budgeting, saving, and continuous self-education, rather than flashy spending, with a strong belief in controlling their own financial destiny. They prioritize tangible assets and income streams, using strategies like leverage and tax benefits, and avoid excessive spending on depreciating assets like luxury cars.
Con: Accounting Can Be Stressful at Times
Accountants are under high “stress during busy seasons, especially during tax season, when the hours can be very long,” says Dr. Machuca. Despite the benefits, an accounting career often brings tight deadlines, long hours, and high volumes of work during the annual tax season.
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) is widely considered the hardest CPA subject due to its sheer volume of information, covering vast topics like consolidations, governmental accounting, and complex transactions, often requiring significant memorization and understanding of foundational concepts. While individual experiences vary, FAR consistently appears as the most challenging section for many candidates, even more so than sections with notoriously tricky questions like AUD (Auditing & Attestation) or REG (Regulation).
The majority of US CPA firm offices in India, including those of each of the Big 4 accounting firms, make their homes in the six major metropolitan centers—Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Hyderabad.