Number of accountants and auditors U.S. 2012-2024

In 2024, there were a record amount of accountants and auditors working in the United States, with a workforce that totaled roughly *** million people. This was an increase of approximately ******* when compared to 2012.

Accountants and auditors

Auditors and accountants are responsible for preparing financial records, examining these records to ensure their accuracy and compliance, and ensuring that the correct amount of tax is paid. While most companies employ in-house accountants to maintain financial records, to guarantee independence audits are generally conducted by third-party consultancy firms. The leading accounting and audit firms in the United States by some distance are the aptly colloquialized "Big Four" – PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG.

Accountants in the U.S.

The number of accountants in the United States can be expected to continue to rise over the short term, with around one quarter of accountancy businesses planning to hire new staff in 2024. California was the state with the highest employment level in accounting and auditing, totaling around ******* people as of May 2024. The state with the highest wages for accountants, however, was New York, with a median annual wage considerably higher than the national average. Nationally, salary ranges for finance and accounting professionals vary greatly depending on experience and seniority. This can fluctuate from around ****** U.S. dollars at the low end to as high as ******* for Chief Financial Officers.