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Public Accounting Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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If you are looking for a place to grow, contribute meaningfully, and enjoy all that is public accounting without sacrificing work life balance entirely, we'd love to meet you. What You'll Do:

Be Seen First

If you are looking for a place to grow, contribute meaningfully, and enjoy all that is public accounting without sacrificing work life balance entirely, we'd love to meet you. What You'll Do:

Being an integral part in nurturing a growing finance and accounting team for a well-funded ... Realistically you need to have a CPA with strong Big 4 experience on top of this. You would be ...

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Public Accounting information

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$41.5K

$81.8K

$115.5K

How much do public accounting jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for public accounting in the United States is $81,814.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $93,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is public accounting?

A public accounting job involves providing financial services such as auditing, tax preparation, and consulting to businesses, individuals, and government entities. Public accountants work for accounting firms ranging from small local practices to large global firms. Their responsibilities include examining financial records, ensuring compliance with regulations, and advising clients on financial decisions. Many public accountants pursue certifications like CPA (Certified Public Accountant) to enhance their credentials. This career offers diverse experience across multiple industries and opportunities for advancement.

What are the typical career paths and advancement opportunities in public accounting?

Public accounting offers clear career progression, often starting as an associate or staff accountant with opportunities to advance to senior accountant, manager, and eventually partner or director roles. With experience, professionals can specialize in areas like audit, tax, or advisory services, or transition to roles in corporate finance or consulting. Firms often provide training, mentorship, and support for obtaining advanced certifications like the CPA, which can open doors to higher-level positions. Working in public accounting can also help you build a strong professional network, diverse experience, and the foundational skills valued across many industries.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in public accounting, and why are they important?

To thrive in Public Accounting, you need a solid grasp of accounting principles, financial analysis, and auditing, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance. Familiarity with accounting software (such as QuickBooks or Excel), and professional certifications like CPA (Certified Public Accountant), are highly valued and sometimes required. Strong attention to detail, time management, and effective communication are important soft skills in this profession. These competencies are essential to ensure accuracy, uphold regulatory standards, and build client trust in a dynamic and client-focused environment.

Does public accounting require a CPA?

Public accounting firms often require their accountants to have a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, especially for roles involving auditing, tax, and consulting services. Obtaining a CPA typically requires passing the CPA exam, meeting education requirements, and gaining relevant work experience. While some entry-level positions may not require a CPA, many advanced or specialized roles do.

What are public accounting jobs?

Public accounting jobs involve providing accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services to clients such as individuals, businesses, and organizations. Professionals in this field often work for accounting firms and may need certifications like CPA; they typically handle financial statement audits, tax preparation, and advisory services. These roles require strong analytical skills and knowledge of accounting standards and regulations.
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What cities are hiring for Public Accounting jobs?

Cities with the most Public Accounting job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Accounting jobs?

The most popular types of Public Accounting jobs are:

What states have the most Public Accounting jobs?

States with the most job openings for Public Accounting jobs include:

Infographic showing various Public Accounting job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,814 per year, or $39.3 per hour.

Staff Accountant Public Accounting

SMITH, ADCOCK AND COMPANY LLP

Athens, GA • On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Our Athens office is growing! We are hiring a staff accountant with recent CPA firm experience for a mixed tax, CAS, and audit position (mostly tax and CAS). For the successful candidate, this position offers interesting work, direct client contact, the opportunity to manage engagements, and unlimited potential for advancement. Position would involve income tax work for individuals and all business entity types including partnerships, S Corporations, C Corporations, estates and trusts. It would also involve CAS work and aiding in designing our CAS service model and tailoring it to client needs.  Also could involve some audits, reviews, compilations, and agreed-upon procedures for both non-profit and for-profit enterprises. Salary is commiserate with experience, and benefits package includes health insurance, retirement, a tax season bonus, paid holidays, vacation and comp time.

We offer significant financial incentives for developing clients, and for tax season productivity. Involvement in community and professional organizations is encouraged. Our dress is business casual, and our atmosphere is professional. But at the same time we laugh with each other, and we are family-friendly.

Recent CPA firm public accounting CPA experience required. CPA or CPA candidate strongly preferred. Please send resume and cover letter to bmartin@smithadcock.com.

  • Personal integrity and a commitment to professional ethics are essential
  • Professional demeanor and good written and oral communication skills are a must
  • Recent CPA firm experience is required - 2 years minimum, up to 10 years or more
  • Income tax experience with individuals and businesses is required.
  • CPA certificate or CPA-track is preferred
  • QuickBooks fluency is necessary; we can provide some training
  • Experience with UltraTax and the Thomson Reuters suite of professional tax products is a plus

Company Description

Some of the benefits of working at Smith Adcock include:

Opportunity to work directly with partners and directly with clients
Excellent work environment with opportunities for advancement
Comp time and bonus opportunities
Minimal to no travel
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
Retirement plan with vested employer match
Flexible summer hours
Hybrid schedule is possible after onboarding - 3 days in office, and 2 days out of the office
Casual business environment

Here are some of the ways our staff describe our firm:

Friendly work environment
Ethical, professional, and respectful in care for clients
Fast paced and service oriented, yet fun at the same time
Good ethics with high integrity
Overall a great place to work
Management that supports family values in all they do