Accountants and Auditors
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.
Also called: Account Auditor, Accountant, Accounting Auditor, Accounting Consultant, Accounting Methods Analyst, Accounting Officer
Median pay
$83,680
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$56,020 – $144,090
People employed
1,449,500
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Accountants and Auditors pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What accountants and auditors do
- 01Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
- 02Process invoices for payment.
- 03Review accounts for discrepancies and reconcile differences.
- 04Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements.
- 05Prepare adjusting journal entries.
- 06Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Mathematics
Knowledge
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from accountants and auditors
- Treasurers and Controllers92% · group pay
- Financial Managers92% · +99%
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists86% · −7%
- Management Analysts84% · +22%
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents82% · −6%
Change into accountants and auditors
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Treasurers and Controllers92% · $166,570
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists86% · $78,210
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators84% · $78,000
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks83% · $50,670
- Investment Fund Managers82% · $166,570
Majors that lead here
- Accounting and Computer Science
- Financial Forensics and Fraud Investigation
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Accounting and Finance
- Accounting and Business/Management
- Taxation
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.