Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typically required to become an accountant or auditor. Completing certification in a specific field of accounting, such as becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), may improve job prospects. PayThe median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $83,680 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 115,300 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for accountants and auditors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of accountants and auditors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about accountants and auditors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $83,680 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 115,300 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for accountants and auditors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of accountants and auditors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about accountants and auditors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 115,300 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for accountants and auditors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of accountants and auditors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about accountants and auditors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records.
Work Environment
Most accountants and auditors work full time. Overtime hours are typical at certain periods of the year, such as for quarterly audits or during tax season.
How to Become an Accountant or Auditor
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typically required to become an accountant or auditor. Completing certification in a specific field of accounting, such as becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), may improve job prospects.
Pay
The median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $83,680 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 115,300 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for accountants and auditors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of accountants and auditors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about accountants and auditors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most accountants and auditors work full time. Overtime hours are typical at certain periods of the year, such as for quarterly audits or during tax season.
How to Become an Accountant or Auditor
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field is typically required to become an accountant or auditor. Completing certification in a specific field of accounting, such as becoming a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), may improve job prospects.
Pay
The median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $83,680 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 115,300 openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for accountants and auditors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of accountants and auditors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about accountants and auditors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for accountants and auditors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of accountants and auditors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about accountants and auditors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about accountants and auditors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.