Dark Horse CPAs Salary

As of August 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Dark Horse CPAs in the United States is $93,698. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $45. Salaries at Dark Horse CPAs typically range from $82,353 to $106,002 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Dark Horse CPAs

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Is Dark Horse CPAs’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Dark Horse CPAs's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Levering & Hvasta CPAS LLP $94,215
+0.6%
Indicates identical technical requirements and experience levels between the two firms.
Jay D Parks & Associates $80,861
-13.7%
Jay D Parks & Associates likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
Sudha PC $89,489
-4.5%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
Brighton CPAs PC $90,259
-3.7%
Brighton CPAs PC focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
Business Services Industry $120,931
+29.1%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at Dark Horse CPAs

Considering a career at Dark Horse CPAs? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Performance is regularly acknowledged through feedback and recognition programs. Even with senior executives make regular efforts to communicate company strategy through town halls, newsletters, and open Q&A sessions. The atmosphere is energetic and collaborative, with leadership that’s transparent and communicative. Professional development is encouraged here. It’s a decent place to gain experien...
The company culture celebrates client successes as our own, creating genuine partnerships rather than transactional relationships. Projects follow set templates, and there’s little room for deviation. I’ve made some great friends here. Work-life balance is respected, although peak seasons may bring added pressure. Job responsibilities are clearly defined, which helps with focus. The communication ...
Feedback is focused on growth and development, with clear goals set for the coming year. The company culture is focused on respect and results. What stands out is the company’s genuine care for its employees, evident not just in competitive compensation but also in thoughtful wellness initiatives and a supportive atmosphere. It was a generous acknowledgment of our hard work and the company's succe...

Dark Horse CPAs Overview

Website
www.darkhorse.cpa
Founded In
2015
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Business Services
Headquarter Address
2033 San Elijo Ave Cardiff By The Sea California CA 92007
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 6197361404
Social Media
About Dark Horse CPAs
Dark Horse CPAs is a boutique accounting and tax firm serving small businesses and individuals in San Diego. Based in Cardiff-by-the-Sea in Encinitas, they provide accounting, bookkeeping and tax services to clients across the nation and expats abroad.

What Benefits Does Dark Horse CPAs Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Dark Horse CPAs offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near San Diego?

Understanding the cost of living near San Diego is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Dark Horse CPAs.
San Diego's Cost of Living Index is approximately 160.4 (60.4% more expensive than US average; 14.7% more than CA average). Very high housing costs are the primary driver, along with generally higher prices for other goods and services. When planning your budget based on a salary from Dark Horse CPAs, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,200 - $3,400+ A significant portion of Dark Horse CPAs salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $160 - $270 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $72 (MTS monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $460 - $680 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $850+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $380 - $720+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,722 - $5,922+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Dark Horse CPAs

1. How much does Dark Horse CPAs in the United States pay?

Dark Horse CPAs pays its employees an average of $93,698 per year. The average salary at Dark Horse CPAs range from $82,353 to $106,002 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills and location.

2. Do Dark Horse CPAs employees get a higher salary than its peer company?

The salary at Dark Horse CPAs is lesser than its peer company. The average annual salary at Dark Horse CPAs is $93,698, or an hourly wage of $45, in comparison to Levering & Hvasta CPAS LLP which pays $94,215 per year or $45 per hour.

3. What are the highest paying jobs at Dark Horse CPAs?

The higher-paying job at Dark Horse CPAs, according to our data, include Vice President, Technology (avg. $260,131 per year), Senior Manager (avg. $115,394 per year), and Manager, Accounting & Tax (avg. $106,008 per year). Pay for these roles reflects significant responsibility, specialized skills and experience.

4. How much does salary increase with years of experience at Dark Horse CPAs?

Salary progression with years of experience at Dark Horse CPAs is typical. Generally, as employees gain more relevant experience, develop more skills, and take on greater responsibilities, their earning potential increases. For example, a role with 5-7 years of experience will usually pay more than the same role requiring 0-2 years.

5. Do salaries at Dark Horse CPAs vary by office location?

Yes, it's very likely that salaries at Dark Horse CPAs vary by office location. Companies often adjust pay based on local market rates, cost of living, and talent competition in different geographic areas. For instance, a role in a high-cost city like New York City may offer a higher nominal salary than the same role in a lower-cost city like Omaha, NE. Our Cost of Living Insights for San Diego section provides more context.

6. Does Dark Horse CPAs offer good benefits?

Dark Horse CPAs typically offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value to an employee's total compensation. Common benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan often with a company match, paid time off. For example, a strong 401(k) match or excellent, low-cost health insurance can be worth thousands of dollars annually, effectively increasing your overall earnings beyond your base salary. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Dark Horse CPAs" section on this page.