How Much Does a Financial Accountant Make? (2025)
With a 6% job outlook for 2023 to 2033, financial accountants are seeing a positive employment uptrend compared to other jobs in the United States. Add the fact that Salary.com reported 66.14% more postings since 2023, the job is now more lucrative than ever.
Salary.com has also reported that financial accountants have a median salary of $63,660 per year in the United States for 2025. Read this salary guide to have a more comprehensive overview of financial accountants, job descriptions, FAQs, and job expectations.
What does a Financial Accountant Do?
A financial accountant’s key role is to collect and audit a company’s financial data and provide cost and revenue forecasts. Financial accountants also help a company make decisions for their team based on their analysis with the company's financial goals in mind.
As per Salary.com, a bachelor’s degree with 0 to 2 years of relevant experience is required to become a financial accountant. However, associate’s degree holders with relevant experience in the relevant field may also apply for a junior position.
What is a Financial Accountant's Salary Overview?
The average salary of a financial accountant in the United States in 2025 is $63,660 per year or $31 per hour, as of January 01, 2025.
Based on Salary.com salary data, a financial accountant’s salary range is between $52,847 to $75,810 per year, with most earning between $58,000 and $70,020. A financial accountant’s salary per month is $5,306.
Financial accountants often earn an average of $31 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $25 to $36. The average weekly salary for financial accountants is $1,224, with weekly pay ranging from $1,016 to $1,458.
2025 Financial Accountant Average Salary: $63,660 per year ($31 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for office assistants is $65,240 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $53,395 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,040 |
| 50th Percentile | $65,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,995 |
On the other hand, a financial accountant's total salary in the US is $94,180, according to Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($8,030), and Social Security ($4,991), which make up 22.7% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $63,660 | 67.6% |
| Bonus | $1,580 | 1.7% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $4,991 | 5.3% |
| 401K/403B | $2,740 | 2.9% |
| Disability | $1,305 | 1.4% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 8.9% |
| Pension | $3,523 | 3.7% |
| Time Off | $8,030 | 8.5% |
| Total Compensation | $94,180 | 100% |
What Can Affect a Financial Accountant’s Salary?
Various factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, and skills can significantly influence the salary of a financial accountant. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level financial accountants who entered their organization with less than one year of experience pay $62,781. In contrast, financial accountants with eight or more years of expertise, considered expert-level professionals, can expect to earn an average annual salary of $65,272 per year.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Financial Accountant | $62,781 |
| Intermediate Level Financial Accountant | $63,388 |
| Senior Level Financial Accountant | $64,801 |
| Specialist Level Financial Accountant | $65,084 |
| Expert Level Financial Accountant | $65,272 |
By Geographic Location
Salary for financial accountants in the United States vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco, California reports the highest average salary at $79,580, while Miami, FL, and Boston, MA, reflect lower average salaries at $61,430 and $51.360 respectively.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $72,500 | $79,580 | $87,250 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $64,560 | $70,850 | $77,930 |
| Miami, Florida | $55,970 | $61,430 | $67,570 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $60,840 | $66,780 | $73,450 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $65,020 | $71,360 | $78,490 |
| New York, New York | $67,750 | $74,360 | $81,780 |
| Dallas, Texas | $57,250 | $62,830 | $69,110 |
By Skills
Since being a financial accountant requires passing the Uniform CPA Examination first, most start at base line similar level. However, The Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report has suggested that knowing the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) along with having basic to complex Accounting Management skills can earn you a salary boost of 7.57% and 8.04%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Management | 16.15% | +8.04% |
| Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) | 19.79% | +7.57% |
| Financial Statements | 25.06% | +7.38% |
| Account Reconciliation | 14.09% | +6.90% |
| Accounting Software | 14.11% | +4.89% |
| Spreadsheet Software | 37.49% | +4.00% |
By Education
As mentioned above, financial accountants require passing an examination first, many accountants employed have bachelor’s degrees (59.5%). Master's (MA) and associate degree holders are the next most prominent ones, holding at least 17.7% and 10.9% of positions respectively.
| Degree Level | % of Users with this Level of Education |
|---|---|
| Associates | 10.9% |
| Bachelor's | 59.5% |
| Master's | 17.7% |
How to Become a Financial Accountant
To become a fully-fledged financial accountant, consider following these steps:
- Earn an accountancy degree: A bachelor’s or a masteral degree in accounting or any related practice is required to become a financial accountant. That said, associate degree holders with sufficient experience in bookkeeping, auditing, and accounting may earn a starting position in certain companies.
- Gain relevant experience: Most employers look for candidates with 0 to2 years of related experience in accountancy-related fields like bookkeeping and auditing tasks, along with developing financial reports with maximum efficiency.
- Pass the Uniform CPA Exam: Although it’s possible to have a financial accountant job without having to pass the exam, having the official title of CPA attached to your name will make the job hunt easier, along with giving you higher base pay.
What are the FAQs about Financial Accountants?
Here are some of the common questions about a financial accountant’s salary:
How much does a financial accountant earn on average?
As of January 1, 2025, a financial accountant’s salary averages $63,660 per year, which is equal to $31 of hourly pay and $5,306 monthly.
What is the qualification for a financial accountant?
Financial accountants are required to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or any related field, along with being a CPA plus some relevant employment experience beforehand.
What does a financial accountant do?
A financial accountant's main responsibility is to handle everything that has to do with their business' finances. These include the following:
- Pay
- Auditing
- Taxes
- Providing financial reports and financial records
- Insurance policies
- Billing statements
- Retirement funds
- Stocks and bonds
- Implementing an efficient reporting process
Financial accountants also have some internal control over their organization since they work closely with their Chief Financial Officers to ensure that their finances are in compliance with tax laws and regulations during tax season and beyond.
