CPA Solo Practice
Impact: Operational
Manage financial assets, provide strategic investment advice, and develop comprehensive financial plans for individuals or organizations. This role requires deep market knowledge, analytical acumen, and a commitment to client success.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Team: 56%, Solo: 44%
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- 21% travel
- Schedule flexibility
- Structured
- Remote work
- Hybrid
- Typical work hours
- 51
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $123,192
- Entry-level
- $84,572
- Senior
- $217,600
- Growth by 2033
- 14.0%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- None
- Salary growth potential
- 9.6%
- Typical student debt
- $71,641 to $112,737
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Financial Modeling
- Regulatory Compliance
- Investment Management
Soft skills
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
Technical complexity: Very High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Master's Degree
- Licensing
- Varies by State
- Years to mid-career
- 5 to 10 years
- Years to senior
- 11 to 18 years
- Career switching
- Very Hard
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Advance through specialized roles, partnership tracks, or senior management positions. Opportunities for leadership and mentorship are common.
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- 29.5%
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 6.6/10
- Meaning
- 6.4/10
- Work-life balance
- 5.5/10
- Prestige
- 8.2/10
- Social perception
- Moderate