Accountant Career Path Explored

Remembering my career 5 years ago, I was an Accounting Manager. But before that, I was in charge for various position in the accounting and financial field. Started as a bookkeeper, financial analyst, auditor, accounting manager, tax consultant, and controller. Now I’ve been thinking about what will my next-5 years career path will be? Be CFO? ;Or Finance Vice President? I started exploring and analyzing my career path from the past, currently and the possibility in the next 5 years. Ended up at payscale.com where I found a career path explorer tool called “GIGZIG ™”.  A cool and simple career path explorer, it is able to predict your position five years from now its median salary for each position that match.

Here are accountant career path I have explored using the tools. I hope it inspires you. Enjoy!
     

TODAY: Financial Controller [Median Salary: $78,437]

5 Years Ago:

• Accounting Manager: $58,241
• Assistant Controller (Financial): $61,020
• Senior Accountant: $56,424
• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Accountant: $42,021
• Assistant Controller: $60,209
• Office Manager: $36,662

5 Years From Now:

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO): $122,099
• Finance Director: $108,341
• Vice President (VP), Finance: $149,631
• Vice President (VP) Finance & Chief Financial Officer (CFO): $148,494
• Financial Controller, Industrial Plant: $79,703

TODAY: Accounting Manager [Median Salary: $58,241] 

5 Years Ago:

• Senior Accountant: $56,424
• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Accountant: $42,021 
• Accounting Supervisor: $52,490
• Office Manager: $36,719
• Full Charge Bookkeeper: $37,279

5 Years From Now:

• Financial Controller: $78,437
• Manager of Financial Accounting: $70,406
• Assistant Controller (Financial): $61,020
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): $58,673
• Finance Director: $108,341
• Accounting Director: $93,673

TODAY: Cost Accountant [Median Salary: $48,314]

5 Years Ago:

• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Accountant: $42,021
• Accounting Assistant: $32,313
• Accounts Payable Clerk: $30,010
• Financial Analyst: $51,730
• Office Manager: $36,719
• Accounting Intern: $30,094

5 Years From Now:

• Financial Controller: $78,437
• Senior Accountant: $56,424
• Financial Controller, Industrial Plant: $79,703
• Senior Financial Analyst: $73,112
• Cost Accounting Manager: $70,195
• Accounting Manager: $58,241

TODAY: Financial Analyst [Median Salary: $51,730] 

5 Years Ago:

• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Accountant: $42,021
• Administrative Assistant: $30,140
• Customer Service Representative (CSR): $28,521
• Waiter/Waitress: $19,077
• Sales Associate: $24,402

5 Years From Now:

• Senior Financial Analyst: $73,112
• Finance Manager: $82,815
• Financial Analyst, Corporate: $56,240
• Financial Controller: $78,437
• Senior Accountant: $56,424
• Financial Analysis Manager: $90,154

TODAY: Tax Accountant [Median Salary: $50,349]

5 Years Ago:

• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Accountant: $42,021
• Entry-level Staff Accountant: $37,093
• Tax Preparer: $32,382
• Accounting Intern: $30,094
• Administrative Assistant: $30,140
• Bookkeeper: $31,417

5 Years From Now:

• Senior Tax Accountant: $62,596
• Tax Manager: $88,395
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): $58,673
• Senior Accountant: $56,424
• Tax Compliance Manager: $85,422
• International Tax Manager: $99,700

TODAY: Bookkeeper [Median Salary: $31,417] 

5 Years Ago:

• Office Manager: $36,719
• Administrative Assistant: $30,140
• Accounts Payable Clerk: $30,010
• Customer Service Representative (CSR): $28,521
• Accounting Clerk: $30,353
• Assistant Bookkeeper: $27,988

5 Years From Now:

• Full Charge Bookkeeper: $37,279
• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Administrative / Office Manager: $34,864
• Bookkeeper Head: $35,975
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, or Auditing Clerk: 32,538
• Accountant: $42,021

TODAY: Bookkeeping, Accounting, or Auditing Clerk [$32,538]

5 Years Ago:

• Bookkeeper: $31,417
• Accounting Clerk: $30,353
• Administrative / Office Manager: $34,864
• Full Charge Bookkeeper: $37,279
• Office Manager: $36,719
• Administrative Assistant: $30,140

5 Years From Now:

• Accounting Manager: $58,241
• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Accountant: $42,021
• Financial Controller: $78,437
• Accounting Supervisor: $52,490
• Entry-level Staff Accountant: $37,093

TODAY: Tax Preparer [Median Salary: $32,382]

5 Years Ago:

• Office Manager: $36,719
• Administrative / Office Manager: $34,864
• Customer Service Representative (CSR) $28,521
• Administrative Assistant: $30,140
• Bookkeeper: $31,417
• Cashier: $16,654

5 Years From Now:

• Senior Tax Accountant: $62,596
• Staff Accountant: $42,613
• Tax Manager: $88,395
• Tax Compliance Manager: $85,422
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): $58,673
• Accountant: $42,021
• Tax Accountant: $50,349

Source: GIGZIG ™ Payscale.com

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1. Non-public Accounting Career Path
2. Public Accounting Career Path
3. Accountant, Auditor, and Financial Analyst Job Description
4. Day in the Life of Staff Accountant– Auditor Intern & Tax Staff
5. Will an MBA Help a Career in Accounting?