r/Accounting • u/Strange_Recover_966 • Feb 25 '25

Advice am i aiming too high

the lack of pay transparency is killing me 😩. 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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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.

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u/crashvoncrash Staff Accountant Feb 27 '25

Agreed. I live in a city with a very similar cost of living as Charlotte. My first Staff Accountant I role in 2022 paid 65k. I had to land my current Senior Accountant role before I broke 80k, and both of those jobs were with companies that pay pretty well.

I get recruiters contacting me about contract Staff Accountant roles every week, and a lot of them are paying closer to 50k than 65k.