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).
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
Methodology & sources
Compiled June 2026 from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook data, AICPA Trends reporting, and Ardent Partners automation benchmarks. Headcount and pay figures are US-only.
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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