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Investment accountants perform specialized tasks related to bonds, hedge funds, stocks, and other investment transactions. Clients and employers rely on investment accountants to create accurate reports for their investments.
Investment accountants receive above-average compensation for their work, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment across all accounting specializations will grow 7% between 2020 and 2030.
The following guide explores the investment accountant salary and job outlook in depth. We explore each of the major factors impacting employment prospects and income, including education, experience, location, and industry.
Crunch the Data: Salary by Education | Salary by Experience | Salary by Location | FAQs
What Is an Investment Fund Accountant's Salary?
According to October 2021 PayScale data, investment accountants in the U.S. earn an average salary of $66,540. The lowest 10% of earners take home around $51,000, while the highest 10% earn up to $93,000. High earning potential and consistent employer demand make this a smart career choice for students interested in accounting.
Several factors impact investment accountant salary potential, including education, experience, location, and industry. We discuss each of these factors in more detail below.
Investment Accountant Salary by Education
Educational attainment can impact an investment accountant's salary. Investment accountants need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the profession. Popular undergraduate majors for prospective investment accountants include accounting, economics, and finance.
Note: The salary data in the following graph is not specific to investment accountants. It represents professionals across all industries who hold these degrees.
Some investment accountants pursue additional education, including graduate certifications or a master's degree. These credentials can enhance salary potential and lead to career advancement. However, studying beyond a bachelor's degree requires additional time and financial commitments, and students should think carefully about pursuing further education.
Investment Accountant Salary by Experience
Investment accountants just beginning their career typically earn lower salaries than more advanced workers. As they gain experience, professionals develop new skills, which lead to higher salaries. Thus, more job experience often leads to increased compensation.
According to data collected by PayScale, investment accountants see the largest increase in salary during the first ten years of their career. Entry-level investment accountants earn an average of $61,000, while midcareer investment accountants earn an average of $74,000.
Investment Accountant Salary by Location
Location-specific factors that impact earnings include local job markets, population density, and cost of living. For example, while accountants working in Washington, D.C. earn the highest average salary nationwide, employer demand is relatively low. Only 10,000 accountants work in the District across all accounting specializations.
Accountants working in New York earn slightly less than those working in D.C., but the Empire State employs 112,000 accountants — more than 10 times the number of professionals in D.C. Numerous job opportunities may make New York a more appealing place to live and work.
Note: The BLS does not collect data on investment accountants specifically, so the data in the tables below covers all U.S. accounting specializations.
Top-Paying States for Accountants, 2020
| State | Number of Accountants Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 10,050 | $110,140 |
| New York | 112,360 | $101,440 |
| New Jersey | 39,060 | $96,260 |
| Massachusetts | 34,710 | $88,830 |
| California | 150,050 | $88,130 |
Top-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Accountants, 2020
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Accountants Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Salinas, CA | 690 | $111,680 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 119,910 | $105,720 |
| Midland, TX | 1,610 | $103,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 15,360 | $102,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 24,510 | $101,090 |
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Where Should I Work as an Investment Accountant?
Though educational attainment and experience play important roles in determining job availability and career growth, location and industry are also crucial considerations when seeking work. We examine these factors in depth in the following sections.
Accountants should see a relatively steady demand for their work throughout the next decade: The BLS projects accounting jobs will increase 7% nationwide — on par with the average growth projected for all occupations.
In the coming years, investment accountants can expect to find higher job availability in metropolitan areas and in states with prosperous economies. Read on to discover the top cities and industries for investment accountants.
Note: The BLS does not provide specific employment outlook data for investment accountants. The growth statistics below incorporate all accounting specializations.
Best Areas
Investment accountants can find employment across the U.S., but several states and metropolitan areas offer particularly prevalent job openings. In general, investment accountants find more opportunities in urban areas, rather than rural locations.
Major financial sectors employ many accountants. New York City, a major financial hub, boasts the largest number of working accountants — nearly 120,000 across all specializations, according to the BLS. Los Angeles and Chicago employ approximately 62,000 and 42,000 accountants, respectively.
California employs the largest number of accountants of any state in the U.S., with jobs projected to increase 7.7% from 2018 to 2028. Texas employs just under 110,000 accountants, with jobs projected to increase 18.8% between 2016 and 2026.
Note: The BLS does not collect data specific to investment accountants. The data in the tables below group all accounting specializations together.
Top-Employing States for Accountants, 2020
| State | Number of Accountants Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| California | 150,050 | $88,130 |
| New York | 112,360 | $101,440 |
| Texas | 109,470 | $80,170 |
| Florida | 73,690 | $74,960 |
| Pennsylvania | 50,240 | $77,810 |
States With the Greatest Projected Increase in Employment for Accountants, 2018-28
| State or Territory | Percent Projected Change, 2018-28 | Average Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest Projected Percentage Increase | ||
| Utah | 31.1% | 1,590 |
| Georgia | 21% | 4,880 |
| Guam | 20.4% | 10 |
| Colorado | 20% | 5,000 |
| Texas | 18.8% | 15,480 |
| Most Projected Average Annual Openings | ||
| California | 7.7% | 17,650 |
| Texas | 18.8% | 15,480 |
| New York | 12.7% | 13,550 |
| Florida | 13.9% | 9,040 |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 5,870 |
Top-Employing Metropolitan Areas for Accountants, 2020
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Accountants Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 119,910 | $105,720 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 61,740 | $83,660 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 42,080 | $78,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-VA-MD-WV | 41,890 | $98,030 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 37,040 | $83,850 |
Best Industries
Investment accountants find employment across many industries — anywhere investments play a key role. Factors to consider when choosing an industry include desired work environment, earning potential, and personal or professional interests.
All investment accountants work with investment transactions, but day-to-day responsibilities vary by industry. Some investment accountants work with individual investors and independent clients through brokerage and financial management companies.
Other professionals handle the investment accounting needs of entities like state and local governments, real estate companies, universities, and insurance providers. In these settings, investment accountants often work with teams of other accountants and finance professionals.
Along with variations in job duties, an investment accountant's salary can change according to their chosen industry. Accountants in local and state government, for example, earn average salaries of approximately $70,000, while those working in securities and financial investment companies earn an average of $102,000.
Note: The BLS does not provide employment data specific to investment accountants. The following tables cover all accounting specializations.
Top-Paying Industries for Accountants, 2020
| Industry | Number of Accountants Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 3,910 | $112,680 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 22,160 | $105,980 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation | 120 | $105,060 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | 31,450 | $102,020 |
| Other Information Services | 4,660 | $99,810 |
Top-Employing Industries for Accountants, 2020
| Industry | Number of Accountants Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | 339,020 | $85,050 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 97,250 | $82,770 |
| Local Government, Excluding Schools and Hospitals | 46,060 | $71,420 |
| State Government, Excluding Schools and Hospitals | 41,780 | $68,460 |
| Real Estate | 36,180 | $78,370 |
Questions About a Fund Accountant's Salary
What is the highest investment fund accountant salary?
Late-career and experienced investment accountants earn the highest salaries — averaging $77,000-$78,000 annually, according to PayScale as of October 2021. Individual accountants may earn more or less, depending on employer, location, and industry.
Where is the best state to work as an investment accountant?
New York, California, and Texas are three of the best places to work as an investment accountant, according to BLS salary and job availability data. These states boast large economies and support major financial sectors.
What is the best industry to work in as an investment accountant?
Investment accountants can find strong job opportunities in any sector where investments play a key role. Top-paying industries to consider include brokerage and asset management, computer equipment manufacturing, and government.
Is a fund accountant a good job?
Working in any accounting specialization, including investment fund accounting, can provide job security and rewarding compensation. According to PayScale review data, accountants across the U.S. report a high level of job satisfaction.
Featured Image: Strauss/Curtis / The Image Bank / Getty Images
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