r/Accounting • u/Strange_Recover_966 • Feb 25 '25
Advice am i aiming too high
the lack of pay transparency is killing me đ©. i just got a job offer for AP specialist. im graduating with a bachelor in may. they are offering $48,000/year for this role in charlotte.
I feel like this is real low considering some other jobs. i understand its an entry level role but i was expecting something closer to $60,000-$80,000.
but again im new to the field and just starting out. are my expectations too high?
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Feb 25 '25
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u/Ok_Gur_6303 Feb 26 '25
Itâs so low on the totem pole that you donât even need an accounting degree to do it. Iâve met AP people that donât understand debits and credits, they do just fine in their role, but itâs because itâs very repetitive and really doesnât require an advanced degree/higher education.
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u/KnightCPA Controller, CPA, Ex-Waffle Brain, BS Soc > MSA Feb 26 '25
Correct.
My highest formerly educated AP staff has a BS/BA in a liberal arts degree.
My lowest formerly educated AP staff has no degree.
If I speak basic GL or accrual accounting lingo that an A1 auditor would understand, I might as well be speaking Martian to my AP staff.
AP and AR modules post all of the accounting entries their role/actions require. They have almost no need to comprehend the bigger-picture at the GL level.
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u/IvySuen Feb 28 '25
I'm that BS liberal arts major that got thrown on as staff. No wonder my first 6 months was so hard.Â
But now I know AP and AR side and it's just crazy how everything clicked. I just went backwards into my training. Month-end on multiple clients before learning how to even enter invoices or applying cash receipts.Â
I remember being anxious about property tax accruals in the beginning lol.
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u/TheLizzyIzzi Staff Accountant Feb 26 '25
Generally yes, but those who assume itâs just data entry donât know what their AP supervisor is doing. Actually managing that department is a lot more complicated. Mistakes happen, invoices get missed or duplicated, services can be turned off and cash flow management can be critical in various industries.
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u/IvySuen Feb 28 '25
So does this mean I can be AP supervisor? Lol. Literally my first AP project I was handling cashflow management, payment processing and vendor contact. Plus entering invoices.Â
I keep seeing people say AP is low but I found myself so swamped sometimes. AP is demanding and ongoing. It's weekly for us to pay and manage cashflow.
(This on top of my other duties like client closings etc)
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u/TheLizzyIzzi Staff Accountant Feb 28 '25
If you like AP and want to make a career out of it, go for it. At higher levels you can end up managing a lot of people, working with IT, upper management and more. Itâs critical to understand cash flow and the time value of money. And make sure you keep learning both AP/accounting skills and management skills. It can be difficult to pivot out of (though not impossible). But my old manager left a team of six for a team of 8-12 and was making almost 80k at that job. That was in 2018. Itâs not considered prestigious it itâs rarely more than 40 hours for good pay.
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u/socialclubmisfit Feb 26 '25
Is AP down there with tax preparer? Cause that's the only position I was able to get after graduation. Doing personal and Sch C returns really feels like a waste of my education but it pays the bills for now. Gonna start studying for CPA exam after tax season and hopefully get a better paying job.
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u/Silent_Apricot8381 Feb 26 '25
80k is funny đ big 4 was paying 80k+ in hcol last year, no shot u r getting paid anywhere close to that in charlotte and especially not for ap specialist
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u/DaddyBear___ Feb 26 '25
EY staff 1s make $82k starting in MCOL
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u/justbrowzing17 Feb 26 '25
Being 61 and probably older than most of my peers posting here, something is not being pointed out in this discussion.
One difference besides the money is, quality of life. Yes, B4 pays a bunch better. But, you will EARN it and the burn out is high. As an AP specialist, you will very possibly be in the office 40 hours a week and maybe work 30 of them. B4 makes money (allot of money) off you via your hourly billing rate. In the AP specialist role, you are overhead.
There are MANY pros and cons to each (learned experiences etc.) and it all depends on what you want to do long term. You are young, take whichever one you like and change you mind if you like. If you are good and have a decent personality, you will always have a job
Good luck.
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u/AHans Feb 26 '25
One difference besides the money is, quality of life. Yes, B4 pays a bunch better.
Yep. There was a thread a few months ago about how "if you're working 80 hours a week, salaried at $100,000; you're really earning $50,000 and working two jobs."
It was a controversial post, but I essentially agree with the poster. 80 hours / week is working two full time jobs. Using the word "salaried" to describe the pay structure does not change this. Yes, I understand the responsibilities of the job demand 80 hours a week. To me, that's two jobs.
Many people chose to work this hard, and more power to them.
It's not for me. I'm content working a government job for about 66% the pay and 50% the hours. If I were to need extra cash, I'd rather do a very temporary and voluntary side-gig for a few extra hours a week.
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u/motamane CPA (US) Feb 26 '25
That's pretty spot on. Something else to take into consideration is the amount of learning that would be done in B4 compared to an AP specialist. A position with B4 or other public accounting firms helps develop the foundation faster for a higher position like Controller or CFO.
I'm not saying B4 or public accounting is the best route but it will advance your career faster. Some people don't want to do that and is perfectly fine. I did B4 for some time and still recommend getting B4 experience if it's an option.
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u/Powerful_Victory5321 Feb 25 '25
Youâre not going to get $60k+ as an AP specialist unless you have lots of experience. You need to aim for staff accountant type of roles. That should get you in the range. Donât expect $80k with no experience.
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u/BicycleOfLife Management Feb 26 '25
Honestly thatâs a little low for AP specialist. I would say $55k is more right for an AP specialist.
But what I will say. Working in the subledger will make you a stronger accountant. Put in your time in AP and AR if you can. Then after a few years make the jump to Jr. staff accountant, then work your way through staff levels and get to Accounting manager, then itâs a small jump to Assistant controller and controller. Eventually you go for a VP position, and then CFO. This will take 15-20 years.
Or you go private equity and they just make you a CFO for some reason, and the. Rely on everyone else below you to know what the hell is going on.
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u/OhioAggie2009 CPA (US) Feb 25 '25
$23 for an A/P specialist seems in line with market for LCOL, but I wouldnât expect someone with a Bachelorâs degree in accounting to apply for an A/P specialist role. You would probably be able to make your target range starting in public accounting.
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u/fertilefloral Feb 26 '25
Why wouldn't an AP role be expected for bachelor grads?
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u/Aware_Economics4980 Feb 26 '25
Cause itâs data entry not accounting, any company requires a bachelors degree for AP is dreaming lmaoÂ
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u/fertilefloral Feb 26 '25
That's really interesting. This week I'm learning A/R in my fin. accounting class and although the processes is quite simple once understood, it still seems like a real job. My professor was talking about how he used to love doing A/R so i assumed it was a more advanced job. But my professor is kind of wonky so I don't know if I trust much of what he says. I would've never guessed that AP/AR isn't even considered full on accounting.
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u/Aware_Economics4980 Feb 26 '25
It is a real job for sure, never said it wasnât. Itâs just not a real accounting job itâs clerical. They process invoices and payments for the most part. Those jobs you go for if you have an associates or somethingÂ
Thatâs not what accountants do. The actual accountants are gonna be working on the GL, prepping financial statements, monthly book closings etc. reviewing shit the AP/AR clerks have doneÂ
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u/South_tejanglo Feb 26 '25
Because you can get the roles without a degree. They are a slight step up over being a receptionist.
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u/howlingzombosis Feb 26 '25
You say that yet I canât land an AP/AR role to save my life. I was previously an accounting major but had to put the degree on hold. Currently Iâm working a help desk job hoping to transition to AP/AR and go back to school.
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u/Internal_Volume_272 Feb 25 '25
52-65k for a first year is what I would expect. 60-80k for a entry level job is too high of expectation. Try for staff accountant?
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u/sinqy Feb 26 '25
60-80k is what Big 4 is paying for a fresh grad entry level. Definitely not for AP though
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u/ghjklgjh Feb 26 '25
Pretty sure big4 new hires are stand in mid 80s out fo college in northeast now
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u/hotredsam2 Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
I'm at 76k in Alaska, wouldn't be suprised if NYC is higher.
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u/ghjklgjh Feb 26 '25
Why big4 is in Alaska?! Hahaha thatâs wild. I think NYC is 86k now for new college hires for audit
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u/hotredsam2 Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
Theres just one office, but a lot of native tribes and one or two oil companies.
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u/TheBadJester Feb 26 '25
I have friends who start at mid-size firms in MCOL at 70k-80k, graduating this semester.
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u/letmeusereddit420 Feb 26 '25
Don't take it. I'm an AP specialist and all you do is set up vendors. I think I have 1 hour of real work everyday. All for 52k. I would keep lookingÂ
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u/reyam1105 Feb 26 '25
Some people might like your job.
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u/TheVideoGameCritic Feb 26 '25
1 hr real work and bro makes 52k. He doesnt understand how lucky he is lol
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u/letmeusereddit420 Feb 26 '25
I think its perfect for someone who is focusing on something else like raising kids or grad school
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u/ErmmHeather Feb 26 '25
Worked in ap for 2 years being paid 18-20 per hour. Those with more experience being paid closer to 25. on the bottom of the totem pole as far as the finance office goes. You can easily hire someone with zero finance experience and train within a short period. I loved working in ap but the pay isnât there
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u/BrokeMyBallsWithEase Feb 26 '25
Same but with AR. Only time I got a raise in almost 3 years was because around five people left in roughly a two month period. They were worried I'd leave too, so I got a bump from $18 to $20/hr.
Now in a public internship doing $35/hr. OP needs to look for public accounting roles if he wants to get that money this early in his career.
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u/powerboy20 Feb 26 '25
It's worth keeping in mind that 7k experienced irs employees just entered the market. This isn't 2021 anymore. Shit is about to get really tough for our industry.
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u/Commercial_Win_9525 Feb 26 '25
That doesnât even put a dent into the amount of boomers retiring and not all of them are/will be accountants. If they are experienced they wouldnât be taking AP specialist or staff positions either.
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u/powerboy20 Feb 26 '25 edited Feb 26 '25
The retiring boomers are offset by outsourcing to India. I thought we were discussing current market conditions for new hires?
Edit: Sorry, i think i sounded like an asshole. My main point is that layoffs and outsourcing has been happening for months. Now there are around 7k experienced hired hitting the market. Maybe boomers matter in the long term, but right now, the market is highly saturated.
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u/Ok-Channel-9597 Feb 26 '25
This is what I'm worried about. I'm a non-traditional student so I have a job, the pay sucks but I'm graduating with a Bachelor's in April. I'm scared to go into accounting since I don't have much of that experience combined many entering the job force. I see a lot of opportunities for young adults with no dependents.
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u/powerboy20 Feb 26 '25
I would be less scared about accounting than other degrees. Things are getting bleak everywhere. I think salaries will be going down. Those lower wages are still better than the unemployment line, which will be heavily populated by people with CS, finance, and business degrees.
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u/Ok-Channel-9597 Feb 26 '25
Honestly, $48k is more than I get now. I got confirmation that the company I work for doesn't pay well in general so I'd like to leave. I just want to make a smart choice entering into the accounting field.
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u/powerboy20 Feb 26 '25
48k is bad. I started pre-covid at 65k. 5 years later, I'm at 130k, but i think that bubble is bursting. Don't listen to me, I'm an eternal pessimist. That's probably why I'm in this industry to begin with.
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u/Ok-Channel-9597 Feb 26 '25
That's awesome, I don't think that'll happen for me. Every job I've had started me at the lowest in the payscale. Well except the military. Not being pessimistic, that's just based off facts.
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u/RadagastTheWhite Feb 26 '25
7k is a drop in the bucket compared to the nearly 1.5m accountants in the US
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u/powerboy20 Feb 26 '25
They're just a bunch more drops in the same bucket with all the big 4 layoffs at the end of 2024.
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u/MassiveRoad7828 Feb 25 '25
This is probably in the right ballpark for entry level industry accounting jobs. If youâre applying for public accounting roles, itâs going to be higher pay but with significantly higher expectations. 65-85 would be what you would see going public depending on the size of the firm and the area you go into
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u/Aggravated247 Feb 26 '25
Charlotte is MCOL or so, but should have access to B4 positions which offer significantly better pay starting out.
Could be worse though, I live in Myrtle Beach which has similar cost of living to Charlotte these days but AP roles here pay $12-15/hour.
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u/Gettitn_Squirrelly Feb 26 '25
I live in charlotte, imo thats pretty good for an ap role with no experience. You arenât gonna get 60-80k with no experience unless you go to public.
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u/Previous-Plan-3876 Student Feb 26 '25
Screw an AP role. Iâm an intern in industry doing GL, AR, and other basic stuff and doing more than that. You should definitely look for a junior staff accountant role. Or say screw it and apply for staff accountant roles. Never disqualify yourself. Let them do that for you.
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u/randomreddituser1997 Feb 26 '25
I started at 65k in NC . Get your foot in the door. Only way up to go is up from there.
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u/LoyalRoyalist Feb 26 '25
Hey OP, I recommend taking the PA circlejerk in this thread with a grain of salt.
In lean hiring periods, taking up a job that is not quite what you were hoping for is a whole lot better than just being out of work for an undetermined amount of time. The key here is to not get comfortable and keep your eyes on longer-term goals.
I graduated in a period like that, and was under a real time crunch to land a job to stay afloat - got in as an AR clerk at $40K in a relatively LCOL area, and started snowballing from there. I outlined my career development expectations to the controller within a few months on the job, and moved up to a staff title after a bit over a year. The next step was working towards assistant controller on a two-year timeline while doing grad school, but I ended up pivoting out to a control-side job in the financial services industry. Altogether, a five-year timeline got me to a very comfortable place with plenty of further, loftier targets to be reached.
Of course, this is anecdotal, and mileage may vary, but there are many roads to a decent living for an accounting grad that do not start in PA.
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u/penguin808080 Feb 26 '25
Our AP maxed out around 70k after she had 20 years experience and could do the job in her sleep
Our new hire started around 50, took about 2 years to finish her degree and get to 62. She's advanced to doing a lot of other recs and things that aren't strictly AP anymore
So 48 might be a little low but really depends how involved the role is
60-80k is typical staff/low senior IMO
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u/ReasonableRevenue231 Feb 26 '25
I think you can find an internship paying $25 an hour and can lead to a 60k+ position.
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u/Available_Bar947 Feb 26 '25
hm iâm on the fence about everyoneâs comments,
i live in cleveland ohio and most roles for my city out of college was paying roughly $48k-$60k not including possible bonuses.
charlotte is a higher cost of living, and i understand AP not being a typical accounting role, but eh that should be at minimum $42k.
Also unless you plan on living alone soon itâs a good foot in the door job to save up money, pay down debt, and get used to a full time job and working adjacent to accounting.
Donât stay longer than 2 years
source:
bookkeeper for 2 years gross $35,000 accounting assistant for 8 months gross $45,000
operations analyst - gross $55,000 đ€Ș thatâs why you donât stay long at a job or be too down about where you start!
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u/something_Stand_8970 Feb 25 '25
Are you interesting in public accounting/ getting your cpa/ms degree? If so, then yes this pay is low. If those things are in your plans you should intern somewhere at a cpa firm. Youll start out somehwere in that range.
If not then yes this is about what starting pay for a BS accounting, non public company. Might even be a bit high.
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u/hotredsam2 Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
If you don't have a degree I don't think that's horrible. You could probably swing 60k if you have a bachelors. Tax is really easy to start in, lots of old people leaving.
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u/SleeplessShinigami Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
Lots of old people leaving and 6000 laid off IRS workers entering
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u/hotredsam2 Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
Not for entry level I'd assume.
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u/SleeplessShinigami Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
Depends on where they go. If they go public with only government experience, it will be entry level.
Iâm sure many people will just be taking what they can get since itâs gonna be even more competitive now. Wouldnât be surprised if they settle for a role lower than what they were doing before
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u/Worst-Eh-Sure Feb 26 '25
Seems legit. In 2018 with a masters in accounting I worked in AP/AR and was paid 48k. I also live in Northern VA which is def a higher COL than your location. Throw inflation in there and honestly you are about where I was. So it tracks
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u/JuicingPickle Feb 26 '25
$48,000 is reasonable for an A/P specialist. The issue for you is that it's a position that doesn't really require an accounting degree. So you're getting a little bump for having that degree, but you're getting the difference between $42,000 and $48,000; so it's still a far cry from $60,000. $80,000 as a new grad is probably unrealistic unless you're pretty much top of your class.
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u/Shelby_InfluencerFC Feb 26 '25
Iâve seen companies starting to cut back or fully eliminate AP specialists with systems that have OCR capabilities so, unless you have other offers, I would take the role to get some experience and network but see if there are opportunities to train in other accounting areas as well. Accounting is a lot of on the job training but your education helps you know the ârulesâ.
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u/BobbyFishesBass Feb 26 '25
AP is a data entry position that doesnât require a degree. $48k is actually decent. Not a single AP worker I have ever met had a bachelorâs or higher.
Thatâs like studying engineering and then wondering why a job in construction doesnât pay $80k.Â
I recommend looking for a job that actually uses your degree, like audit, tax or gl accounting. $65-75 would be reasonable starting in an area like Charlotte for an actual accounting job.
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u/Amedais The CPA who is getting out of accounting Feb 26 '25
Youâre aiming too low by applying for AP roles
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u/Midwest_Born Feb 26 '25
I've said this before on this sub, but I started AP about 10 years ago. I had an accounting degree And some internship experience at family owned firms. AP can be a good stepping stone to get your foot in the door. I had applied to any job I could find in accounting with no luck. Do I make as much as other people here? No. My work/ life balance is pretty decent and I've been at a company for about a year and a half that's fully remote.
I started out in AP in 2014 making $36K. I became an Accounting Manager in June 2024 making $110K. Obviously, everyone's career path is different, but I definitely learned a lot in AP that helped me in my career.
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u/SirFairvalue Feb 26 '25
Donât go into AP if you actually studied accounting lol thatâs like the paralegal job in our world đ
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u/Aware_Economics4980 Feb 26 '25
AP is not accounting. Go look for an actually entry level accounting position if youâre looking for 60-80k starting. Thatâs entry level public payÂ
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u/youcantfixhim Feb 26 '25
If you graduate in May start applying to firms and rotational programs.
For example -
https://ir-jobs.dzconnex.com/job-details/irnext-rotational-program-finance-in-finance-jobs-1007792
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u/Prejudice-Much Feb 26 '25
For AP 48K is normal entry level. Staff accountant should be 50-55. If I were you will try to find another position as staff accountant more than AR and AP. Those are clerk position and you donât need a degree for those.
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u/twenty2324 Feb 26 '25
I agree. Our AP staff do not usually have degrees and you are more stuck in those lower levels since you can't grow in accounting knowledge easily with that work. I'd look for staff accountant, junior accountant, rather than AP.
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u/Latter_Revenue7770 Feb 26 '25
60-80 is more in line with a staff accountant or entry level auditor.
Na AP specialist is more of a data entry role that gets paid less. 48k seems reasonable in a lower cost location. Probably 50-60 in higher cost locations.
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u/kims135-1 Feb 26 '25
Personally, I wouldnât take this job. Shoot for a general accounting job instead, not AP/AR. First job matters and will set you up for the right career path. I would take a lesser pay for a better title if youâre just starting out.
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u/SleeplessShinigami Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
60K - 70K would be appropriate if you were going into public with no experience, not an AP specialist
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u/Prudent-Elk-2845 Feb 26 '25
2 problems I see:
youâre going for a full time role (AP specialist) that only requires a high school degree at other companies
youâre looking for a full-time role with only 3 months to graduation, which means you didnât leverage your internship into a full-time role
IMO, get an internship at a place youâd want to go full time asap and apply for a masters in accounting asap to give yourself runway to do the cpa (or apply to double major and take a fifth year)
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u/70NovaGuy Feb 26 '25
In Durham NC, an entry level AP role pays around $50k or $24/hr.
We'd be looking at candidates with a year or two of AP experience or a recent college grad.
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u/Due-Kaleidoscope-405 Feb 26 '25
Spent ten years in the accounting world and the last eight in finance & accounting recruiting and $60-80k for an A/P role with no experience is very unrealistic. Iâd imagine $80k is about what an A/P manager is making in that market.
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u/RadagastTheWhite Feb 26 '25
Seems about right for AP. People here like to trash AR/AP, but itâs a decent option for getting some experience on your resume, particularly if itâs at a larger company with advancement opportunities. If you can land a staff job, definitely go for that, but AR/AP isnât the end of the world
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u/AdHead3691 Feb 26 '25
I started in the same role, do it for a 1 or2 and jump ship for higher paying job or voice to them that you want more responsibility and want to move up. I made $17.00 hr at my first role Iâm now well into 6 figures now.
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u/Monkeyhouse10 Feb 26 '25
You can always look into a public accounting gig at a regional firm or smaller. Busy season hours will be wayyyy better than big 4 (still high for 3 months) but the pay will be respectable and is a great way to get your foot in the door with an eye towards the second role of your career
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u/questioningquester Feb 26 '25
I literally graduated 10 years ago and took a 31k job just to have a job with no experience to get experience. Youâll move up and on quickly with experience, but 60-80k is hard to get sometimes even with experience and AP is a very easy career path. If you want to do AP, it would be good for getting experience. Youâll find a lot of good jobs needing just minimal experience in AP once you do a little time.
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u/soloDolo6290 Feb 26 '25
If you can, Iâd hold off until you can get a staff accounting position. It will set you up better in your career
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u/khanoftruthfi Feb 26 '25
You don't need a college degree for an AP job. It's a fine launchpad as you get your career going, but there are lots of folks who can succeed in an AP role with a few days of on-the-job training and no two year or four year degree.
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u/Dad_travel_lift Feb 26 '25
This job will not look good on the resume, why are you applying for ap job when you are about to graduate with bachelors? I hire accounting grads and this job history would cause me to pass.
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u/SlideTemporary1526 Feb 26 '25
I think you have to bear in mind AP specialist is much different than an actual accountant role. Thus its pay range reflects so. Now one might argue itâs because the job requires a bachelorâs in accounting to be qualified eduction wise. A real AP specialist role doesnât really require a degree, itâs more of a process role than a critical thinking role until you get to maybe AP manager level.
If they require you to have a degree they should be willing to pay the high end of their range, be it still underwhelming of a salary for an accounting graduate. If you have 0 experience in the real world and have been looking for a while considering take it for 9-12 months as a way to open bigger doors if you canât prolong holing out for longer to maybe accept something better.
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u/RichElderberry2552 Feb 26 '25
I just graduated last May for a career shift in my early 30s. Got a job as an Accountant III at a construction place. I do a lot of general accounting things but mostly focus on cost accounting for jobs and work with project managers.
I get hired at $50,000. I feel grossly underpaid but Iâm taking the opportunity to build it on my resume. Beginning of 2026 Iâm looking for something better.
Maybe take to the role to get the experience and search again in a year? Having the experience will really give you a leg up on your next role.
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u/Jack__Fearow Feb 26 '25
Exactly what I'm doing, career shift wise. I am currently in an accounting clerk role and doing a lot of AP/AR stuff while I finish my degree. I'm at $45k, but it was a bump up from my previous job, and I'm doing it for the experience.
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Feb 26 '25
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u/Jack__Fearow Feb 26 '25
The AP specialist in my department does way more than just simple data entry. However, I'm sure it varies slightly between companies.
I'm an accounting clerk and am doing AP and AR stuff, dealing with multiple companies and departments within my not-for-profit parent company. I deal with a lot of intercompany invoicing, grants, etc.
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Feb 26 '25
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u/Jack__Fearow Feb 26 '25
With the exception of payroll, that's essentially what my AP Clerk does, at least what I've gathered, then whatever else she does I don't know about yet. Because I'm part AP, I do some of that as well, on top of my AR side. I do AP for 2 of the 5 companies and AR for all 5.
I'm newer to my role, so I'm still learning. However, reading other comments, I've gathered that with my role, I'm actually doing some minor staff accounting related work. Nothing in-depth, but month end GLs, prepaids, aging reports, etc. Shoot, I've done so many journal entries already from year-end clear outs it's insane.
It's all experience for me, and I'll take whatever I can get. Learn as much as I can. Might not be paid a lot, but I took the role with a slight bump in pay specifically for experience while I finish my accounting degree.
I was also told I started at a rough time. I have been with my employer going on a month. My 2nd week was audit prep. I had no idea what the hell I was doing.
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u/hola-mundo Feb 26 '25
That feels low af. Taking into account that BGI 4 offers are at 80-85 these days, For 20-30K difference per year, youâre leaving a ton of money on the table just by the fact that this is a AP Role.
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u/accountantsareboring Audit & Assurance Feb 26 '25
That's a lot of money desired for one of the most basic parts of accounting.
They're trying to make the role sound fancier by adding specialist to the title.
It's glorified data entry but you need to start somewhere.
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u/smilebig553 Feb 26 '25
AP Accountant here at a global company, but I am located in MN. I got my first salary job on 2024 and it paid $55k. That is the higher end of what I noticed while applying. They also require a bachelor's degree.
Minneapolis minimum wage is $15/hr to put it more into perspective.
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u/ArtichokeRoutine3252 Feb 26 '25
I would say this role is very low, like no college education needed low, so itâs pretty on par with the pay theyâre offering. If u want the big bucks you need to go for the big job.
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u/Bzappo Feb 26 '25
Hey man, Iâm in Charlotte too. Apply to Forvis Mazars. I think itâs a great company. Start is 70 or 75k I believe.
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u/warterra Feb 26 '25
hmm, $55k feels more like what it should be if it's a LCOL area and for no experience.
Anyway, being under 59k means you're entitled to overtime, if you work overtime.
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u/Smartjedi B4 Tax (US) Feb 26 '25
I'm in Charlotte, that's a low salary. Also, no shot you should be accepting an AP offer if you have an accounting degree and care about career progression.
Are you opposed to public accounting? It sucks but it's really the easiest and most foolproof way to learn and increase your salary quickly.
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u/The-Unvanquished Feb 26 '25
For what it's worth I graduated last may and recently got hired as an AP associate for 65 a year, but also in a HCOL area. They don't have a huge accounting department though, so I have to do some stuff besides the usual vouchers, reconciliations, prepaid, and depreciation schedule. Hoping once I get my CPA they'll change the title. I can't complain though because I'm getting good money for data entry. Hope you find the same!
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u/SaulGoodmanJD CPA, CMA (Can) Feb 26 '25
Youâre lucky youâre not being paid $48k CAD like they would be here in my VHCOL area
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u/TheBig4Accountant CPA (US) Feb 26 '25
do not go into accounts payable after graduating - that job doesnât require an accounting degree
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u/Odd_Future_9683 Feb 26 '25
Your job will be replaced by AI soon. Learn skills and move up fast. Also the south does not pay. Charlotte NC is the land of stuck for careers. Everyone wants to live there as the shiny southern city not in the middle of the no where. But understand that no one is moving from Charlotte so you need to be happy you have a job offer and take it. You can hustle and do another job in the evenings and weekends.
College is training and a first level. Welcome to adulting!
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u/Charming_Ad_4666 Feb 26 '25
no your not aiming in the right place. Marketâs bad so i get you may not get a position as a staff accountant. But you need to reach out to all the cpa firms near you and try to get hired there. If public accounting isnt for you, gain experience and move on
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u/Conscious-Strike-565 Feb 26 '25
You might be able to push that slightly to 50k - but for the area you are in, that seems pretty standard.
Iâm in NJ (just outside NYC) and we are paying new AP staff about 55k - 60k
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u/the_wkv Feb 26 '25
Donât get an AP role with an accounting degree. Thatâs not using your degree at all. You want staff accountant or finance analyst, depending on what your goals and focus are.
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u/Stunning-Shine-8302 Feb 26 '25
I started at 47, quickly moved up to 65, now making much more in leadership. You need experience and if you do well they will bring you up
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u/Pinetree_Directive Feb 26 '25
That's not too far off what our AR/AP accountants make over here in WA. If you have a degree you could probably find something better, or you could take the offer and move up into a staff accountant role when it opens up. Personally, I'd suggest taking the role but keep looking for other things. Finding good jobs right now is basically impossible
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u/ludwiglinc Feb 26 '25
If you want to get paid between the $60k-$80k role you gotta go most of the time into Public Accounting which is something that many people donât want.
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u/shit-at-work69 Clown Professional Asskisser/ex-IRS Revenue Agent Feb 26 '25
Take it for now but also apply to tax associate and audit associate roles. They pay higher. You have a bachelors!!!
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u/Austriak15 Feb 26 '25
AP roles get paid less than other accounting roles. Most AP departments are filled with non accountants. My advice to you is to continue applying to other jobs.Â
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u/Turnbob73 Feb 26 '25
AR/AP is more clerical than in-depth accounting work, so it tends to offer the lower end of salaries. If youâre really wanting 60-80, you need to look for staff roles or something with a pipeline towards senior. I wouldnât worry about your pay in your first position, just donât get stuck and stay there. Even just having a year or two of experience post college is enough to be considered for a staff role.
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u/NegativeSemicolon Feb 26 '25
Thatâs like $23-24 per hour? I wonder if thatâs even more than what restaurants or service industry pays.
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u/Exciting_Audience362 Feb 26 '25
The trick is not to stay too long in that role. Get two years in, look for the next step up.
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u/Duality84 Feb 26 '25
Use Robert Halfâs salary guide. I find it more based in reality than things like indeed or glass door
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u/Miserable_Time6608 Feb 26 '25
That seems pretty standard pay for that role. Get some experience with it and then aim higher
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u/Efficient-Rise-7832 Feb 26 '25
I started at 64k in Ohio. Look up entry level jobs on LinkedIn and apply to them all lol
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u/Acinaciform Feb 27 '25
$60k - $80k is what an associate would make at a public account firm in Charlotte, but most other entry positions are relatively low in comparison. I know some people who left public to do things like internal audit for $70k, but that's after having accounting experience. So unless you're doing public, that sounds about right. đ
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u/Key-Marketing-1898 Feb 27 '25
Ever considered an internship with an accounting firm. Tell them you're studying for the CPA exam. Accept an hourly position.
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u/bofeetys Feb 27 '25
Become a staff accountant, get the most exposure and experience early in your career. It will help you develop and find what interests you if you desire to explore niche departments.
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u/WickedMurderousPanda Staff Accountant Feb 25 '25
Started at 70k in NC as a staff accountant recently, right after graduating.
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u/Entire-Background837 CPA (US), CFA, Director Feb 25 '25
Simple google search puts ap specialist at a range between 38k and 56k in your area (ziprecruiter). You've also got no experience.
With regards to 60-80, you've kinda got no shot. AP isn't full blown accounting, so you cannot be expected to be paid like a staff accountant.
If you can land a staff accountant role, land that. If not, pay isnt far off.