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Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Salary in Atlanta, GA

How will Certified Public Accountant (CPA) impact your salary in Atlanta, GA?


The average salary for someone with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Atlanta, GA is between $68,774 and $451,425 as of August 01, 2025. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the actual position requiring a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) that you are looking for. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

About Atlanta, Georgia    Atlanta (/ætˈlæntə/) is the capital of, and the most populous city in, the U.S. state of Georgia. With an estimated 2017 population of 486,290, it is ....More

Atlanta, Georgia  area prices were up 1.4% from a year ago    View the Cost of Living in Atlanta, Georgia

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$68,774
$451,425
$260,099
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Why get a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a statutory title of a qualified accountant and functions as a license that allow the holder to provide accounting services to the public. All CPA's are accountants, but not all accountants are CPA's.
The CPA designation distinguishes a professional with extensive education, experience, and high standards. CPA's may often perform audits, advise on taxation matters, investigate fraud, and/or conduct business valuations. Licensing requirements may vary slightly by each state.
There is only one CPA license. However, many CPA holders obtain additional credentials that indicate expertise in certain specialized areas of Accounting.
For example, a Forensic CPA may hold a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification and concentrate on anti-fraud investigations and auditing activities. Forensic CPA's use skills to collect and analyze data that is sometimes hidden to uncover many types of fraud such as money laundering, securities fraud, and embezzlement. These CPA roles are typically found in law enforcement, governmental agencies, banking, and insurance.

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About Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Does having a CPA certification make a difference in pay and career progression?

CPA starting salaries are generally at least 10-15% higher than non-CPA accountants. Salary differentials may be even higher for positions in public accounting firms. Career opportunities are definitely enhanced by having a CPA. Studies have shown that over the course of a career, the average CPA will earn $1 million more that non-CPA counterparts.

Who grants the CPA certification?

The AICPA, American Institute of CPA's, is a professional organization for the accounting profession. AICPA is responsible for develops the content of the CPA exam and provides oversight of the grading. AICPA develops accounting and ethical standards and monitors and enforces compliance of CPAs.

What are the requirements for a CPA Certification?

There are 3 specific requirements that must be met to be granted the CPA:
1. Passing the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, that is set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and administered by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).
2. Completion of 150-semester units of a college education. (Generally 30 hours more than a bachelor's degree) Many schools offer a 5-year combined bachelors and master's degree to meet the 150-hour requirement, but a master's degree is not required.
3. One year of accounting experience. (Some employers will pay the costs associated with taking the exam)

What preparation is recommended for the CPA exam?

The CPA exam is a difficult one that is taken in four, four-hour testing sessions, so study and preparation are essential.
The CPA Exam Blueprint, provided by AICPA, is a document that details what to expect in the exam and includes an outline of the content, sample questions, and definitions of the skills that will be tested. Because tax laws and regulations may change, there are also periodic updates that are published in the AIPCA Policy on New Pronouncements. This should be included in the preparation as it will reference new content being added to the exams.
Candidates for the CPA are allowed 18 months to complete all four exams. It is generally recommended to sit for the exam as soon as the requirements are fulfilled and to complete the testing within 12 months. There are many CPA review courses available and employers often will pay for these courses. Various review and prep courses are offered by different vendors, however the AICPA does not run or endorse any of these courses.

How much does it cost to obtain CPA certification?

Overall, expect to pay around $3,000 to obtain the CPA!
A review course on average will cost around $1,500. Application fees for the exam may differ by state but average between $50 and $200. The exam fees also vary by state and are charged by each of the four sections, the current cost is around $193 per section. Then there are the registration fees, which may be paid as you register for each section, but are only good for 6 months. This means if you sign up for all 4 sections at once, you must site for those 4 exams all within 6 months. It is recommended to sign up for only one exam section at a time. The cost for a single section is around $65. Most states also require an ethics exam be taken after the CPA exam has been completed. The cost of the ethics exam is between $150 and $200 and includes a study guide. Finally, there is the license fee payable to the state you will be licensed in. Fees vary by state and can be between $50 and $500 and must be renewed annually.
Similar to too many other certifications, there is a requirement for continuing education to keep the certification current. These costs may vary, but a general estimate is roughly $1,000 per year. Depending on your employer's policy, some or all of this cost might be covered.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Jobs

Job Openings for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Atlanta, GA
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Auditor
Confidential - OKLAHOMA CITY , OK
Regional company is seeking a CPA with excellent audit experience to audit all aspects of a business. Attractive salary for well-qualified individual with subst
- 129 days ago
Certified Public Accountant
ATL - TRACY , CA
We are a Transportation company in Tracy, CA, looking for a full-time CPA with previous experience in accounting. Duties will be carried out for the company and
- 2921 days ago
Certified Public Accountant or CPA Candidate
Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, P.C. - IRVINE , CA
The Tax Law Office of David W. Klasing is looking for a CPA Candidate or Entry Level to early career CPA to help provide the firm’s clients representation in co
- 133 days ago
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Syntegra Private Wealth Group - CHESTERFIELD , MO
Company Description. Syntegra Private Wealth Group, located in Chesterfield, MO, is an investment advisory firm offering securities through Osaic Wealth, Inc. a
- 21 days ago
ENROLLED AGENT or CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Confidential - PALM SPRINGS , CA
About Us. We are a dynamic and expanding accounting firm committed to delivering comprehensive tax, payroll, and financial advisory services to both businesses
- 62 days ago
Construction Staff Accountant - 3 years experience
C. A. Rasmussen, Inc. - VALENCIA , CA
We are seeking a *Staff Accountant* to support our finance and project teams at our Valencia, CA corporate office. This role is critical to maintaining accurate
- 12 days ago