Accounting Industry Statistics
Last updated: June 2026 · 5 sourced statistics
Accounting is a million-plus-person profession facing a pipeline problem: steady demand and respectable pay, but fewer new CPA candidates than a decade ago. The automation of bookkeeping work is reshaping the entry level while pushing experienced accountants toward advisory. Sources: BLS and AICPA.
Key takeaways
- The US employs more than 1.4 million accountants and auditors (BLS).
- Median pay runs near $80,000, with steady projected growth.
- CPA exam candidates have declined substantially from their peak (AICPA).
At a glance
Every figure on this page in one table, each linked to its named source. Scroll down for the full context behind each number.
| Figure | What it measures | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4M+ | The US employs more than 1.4 million accountants and auditors (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook). | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024 |
| ~$80K | Median annual pay for accountants and auditors runs near $80,000 (BLS). | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024 |
| Steady | BLS projects accountant employment growth around the all-occupation average over the decade, with strong replacement demand from retirements. | US Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024 |
| Declining | CPA exam candidate numbers have fallen substantially from their peak, per AICPA Trends reporting — the profession's well-documented pipeline concern. | AICPA Trends Report | 2023 |
| −79% | Automation benchmarks explain the shift: best-in-class automated invoice processing costs 79% less, moving bookkeeping labor toward advisory work (Ardent Partners). | Ardent Partners | 2025 |
The statistics
The US employs more than 1.4 million accountants and auditors (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics2024
Median annual pay for accountants and auditors runs near $80,000 (BLS).
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics2024
BLS projects accountant employment growth around the all-occupation average over the decade, with strong replacement demand from retirements.
Source:US Bureau of Labor Statistics2024
CPA exam candidate numbers have fallen substantially from their peak, per AICPA Trends reporting — the profession's well-documented pipeline concern.
Source:AICPA Trends Report2023
Automation benchmarks explain the shift: best-in-class automated invoice processing costs 79% less, moving bookkeeping labor toward advisory work (Ardent Partners).
Source:Ardent Partners2025
When these numbers don't apply
Aggregate statistics hide a lot. Read these caveats before quoting a figure as if it describes your specific situation.
- BLS counts accountants and auditors together; bookkeepers and clerks are a separate, larger category.
- Pay and headcount figures are US-only and national medians that mask regional and specialty spread.
- The CPA-pipeline decline is well documented but its long-run impact on the profession is still unfolding.
How we compiled this data
Compiled June 2026 from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook data, AICPA Trends reporting, and Ardent Partners automation benchmarks. Headcount and pay figures are US-only.
We hand-collected each figure from its original publisher rather than recycling secondary round-ups, cross-checked the headline numbers against the source documents in June 2026, and link every statistic to the report it came from so you can verify it yourself. Where a publisher issues annual updates, we cite the report edition and flag the year inline.
Frequently asked questions
How many accountants are there in the US?
More than 1.4 million accountants and auditors (BLS), plus bookkeepers and clerks counted separately.
Is there really an accountant shortage?
The pipeline is thinning — CPA candidates are well below peak (AICPA) while retirements accelerate. Demand for advisory-capable accountants notably exceeds supply.
Will automation replace accountants?
It's replacing data entry, not judgment. Capture and matching automate well; advisory, tax strategy, and controls work continue growing.
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