Accounting Careers in Arizona

Examining Accounting Careers in Arizona

Arizona accountants enjoy more than sunshine. Each year, the number of accounting jobs has increased — as have salaries! Just a few short years ago, Arizona was home to just over 20,000 accountants. Today, it has more than 23,000. Plus, average salaries have increased by more than $5,000 and this trend is expected to continue as the demand for accountants grows overall.

To become an accountant in Arizona you need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and your major must be accounting. Top 100 companies want more. To impress them, you’ll need a master of accountancy (MAcc) or an MBA with an accounting focus.

Salary Trends for Accountants in Arizona

Accountants across the U.S. averaged $67,430 in 2009. Arizona accountants averaged $58,500. Although Arizona accountants average less overall than the national average, they average more than accountants living in many other states such as North Dakota ($50,550), Kansas ($56,300), and South Carolina ($56,350).

Accountants living in the largest metropolitan areas in the state of Arizona average $58,040-$62,720. They are:

• Tucson: $62,720
• Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale: $58,040

The areas listed are home to more than 90 percent of the state’s 23,110 accountants. Accounts with varied specialty areas will find the best opportunities in these cities, so consider taking the Arizona CPA licensing exam as soon as you have met the Arizona State Board of Accountancy education requirements.

Employment Trends for Accountants in Arizona

In 2009, 23,110 accountants lived in Arizona. Most reside in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area (17,960) and in Tucson (3,270). Arizona has shown significant employment growth over the past few years, much like the nation overall, which is expected to expand by 22 percent. This growth will add 279,400 new jobs to an already healthy population of 1.3 million accountants across the U.S.

Career Outlook

Accountants of all types, from CPAs to forensic accountants, are in high demand in Arizona. They’re in high demand because of an increase in unlawful financial pursuits by companies, crime syndicates, and individuals, and increased public and private scrutiny of companies’ financial activities. Forensic accountants will be especially useful because of the nature of the specialty. Forensic accountants are responsible for investigating white-collar crimes such as money laundering, bankruptcy and securities fraud, and embezzlement. They appear as expert witnesses during trials and they help settle contract disputes.

If you need more information about how to become an accountant in Arizona, visit the Arizona State Board of Accountancy.

Note: The statistics in this article are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.