Accountant in Birmingham, AL

As a career analyst rooted in Birmingham, I’ve watched the accounting landscape here evolve from a hub for old-school manufacturing audits to a more diversified field, now serving healthcare, banking, and a growing tech presence. If you're an accountant considering a move, this guide cuts through the brochure talk. We'll look at the real numbers, the commute from the suburbs, and which firms are actually hiring.

Birmingham isn't the cheapest place in the South, but it offers a high quality of life for professionals. The metro population sits at 196,518, which keeps the market active but not oversaturated. You get the amenities of a city without the relentless corporate grind of Atlanta or Nashville.

Let's break down what your career and life would look like here.

The Salary Picture: Where Birmingham Stands

First, let's talk money. The numbers tell a clear story: Birmingham pays slightly below the national average, but the cost of living more than compensates for that gap.

The median salary for an accountant in Birmingham is $84,169/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.47/hour. For context, the national average sits at $86,080/year. You’re looking at a $1,911 difference annually—a gap easily covered by Birmingham’s lower expenses. The metro area currently supports 393 accounting jobs, with a 10-year job growth projection of 4%. This isn't explosive growth, but it’s stable. It indicates a mature market where demand is consistent rather than speculative.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience in this market:

Experience Level	Typical Role	Annual Salary Range	Key Local Responsibilities
Entry-Level	Staff Accountant, Junior Auditor	$55,000 - $68,000	General ledger entries, bank reconciliations, assisting with month-end close for local manufacturing or healthcare entities.
Mid-Career	Senior Accountant, Tax Associate	$70,000 - $85,000	Managing client portfolios, preparing complex returns, supervising junior staff, internal controls review.
Senior	Accounting Manager, Audit Manager	$88,000 - $110,000	Overseeing accounting departments, managing audit engagements, financial reporting, process improvement.
Expert	Controller, CFO, Partner (Firm)	$115,000 - $160,000+	Strategic financial planning, executive leadership, board reporting, M&A due diligence (common with regional banks).

Insider Tip: Salaries at the Big 4 firms (EY, KPMG, PwC, Deloitte) have Birmingham offices, and they typically anchor the higher end of the market due to their national pay scales. However, the cost of living here makes a $70,000 salary in Birmingham feel more like $85,000 in a coastal city.

Comparison to Other AL Cities

Birmingham is the clear leader for accounting salaries in Alabama, but the gap is narrowing with Huntsville's tech boom.

City	Median Annual Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg = 100)	Primary Accounting Drivers
Birmingham	$84,169	92.6	Healthcare, Banking, Corporate HQ
Huntsville	~$81,000 (est.)	90.5	Aerospace, Defense, Tech Startups
Mobile	~$72,500 (est.)	85.8	Port Logistics, Manufacturing, Tourism
Montgomery	~$71,000 (est.)	84.2	State Government, Military

Huntsville is the main competitor. While its base salary might be slightly lower, its growth is faster. Birmingham offers more stability and a more diverse range of industries, which is better for long-term career flexibility.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A median salary of $84,169 sounds good, but what does it actually buy you in Birmingham? Let's run the numbers.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Accountant, No Dependents):

• Gross Monthly Pay: $7,014
• Estimated Monthly Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$1,650
• Net Take-Home: ~$5,364
• Average 1BR Rent: $1,109 (Metro Average)
• Utilities & Internet: $180
• Groceries & Household: $400
• Transportation (Car Insurance, Gas, Maintenance): $350
• Health Insurance (Employer Plan): $250
• Discretionary/Entertainment/Savings: $3,075

The Verdict on Rent: Spending $1,109 on a 1BR is about 24% of your net take-home, which is well below the recommended 30% threshold. This leaves you with significant room for savings, student loan payments, or lifestyle spending. Many accountants in Birmingham choose to rent for a year or two, then buy.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, comfortably. The median home price in the Birmingham metro is approximately $250,000. With a 20% down payment ($50,000), a 30-year mortgage at ~7% would run about $1,663/month. With a net monthly income of $5,364, a mortgage payment would be roughly 31% of your take-home pay—right at the upper limit but doable, especially if you have a dual-income household. Many young professionals I know buy in neighborhoods like Homewood or Crestwood South shortly after arriving.

Where the Jobs Are: Birmingham's Major Employers

Birmingham’s accounting jobs are concentrated in a few key sectors. Here’s where the opportunities are:

1. Healthcare (The Big Driver): Birmingham is a medical hub. UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) is one of the largest employers in the state, with thousands of accounting and finance roles in its hospital system and university administration. Encompass Health (headquartered in Birmingham) is a major player in post-acute care and is always hiring for corporate finance. St. Vincent's Health System (Ascension) is another key employer.
2. Banking & Financial Services: Regions Bank has its headquarters here, alongside major operations for BBVA (now PNC). These institutions have large internal audit, compliance, and financial reporting teams.
3. Corporate & Manufacturing HQ: Companies like EBSCO Industries (a privately held media company) and Hibbett Sports (athletic retailer) are headquartered in Birmingham. They need controllers, FP&A analysts, and accounting managers.
4. Professional Services (The Big 4 & Regional Firms): The Big 4 all have offices in the downtown area, primarily serving the financial services and healthcare industries. For a more lifestyle-focused firm, look at Warren Averett (one of the largest regional firms in the Southeast) or Carr, Riggs & Ingram. They offer a different pace and often more direct client contact.
5. Government & Public Sector: The City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, and the State of Alabama (with offices in Birmingham) offer stable government accounting roles, though salaries can be lower than the private sector.

Hiring Trends: Post-pandemic, there's a noticeable push toward hybrid work (2-3 days in office). Firms are also heavily investing in technology and automation skills (ERP implementation, data analytics). Accountants who can bridge the gap between traditional number-crunching and tech are in the highest demand.

Getting Licensed in AL

Alabama follows the standard 150-hour rule and CPA exam requirements, but there are specifics.

• Educational Requirement: You need 150 semester hours of college credit, including a bachelor's degree. A common path is a Bachelor's in Accounting (120 hours) followed by a Master's in Accounting or Taxation (30 hours). Many local schools like UAB, Samford University (Brock School of Business), and UAB Collat School of Business offer well-regarded programs.
• Exam Requirement: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam.
• Experience: You need two years of qualifying experience under a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
• Ethics Exam: You must pass the Alabama Professional Ethics Exam for CPAs.
• Costs:
  • CPA Exam Fees: ~$1,000 (varies by state)
  • Application Fees: ~$100-$150
  • Ethics Exam: ~$150
  • Study Materials (Becker, Roger, etc.): $1,500 - $3,000
  • Total Estimated Cost: $3,000 - $4,500
• Timeline: From starting your 150-hour requirement to getting your license, expect 1-2 years if you're in a Master's program, or 2-3 years if you're working while completing your education and experience requirements.

Insider Tip: The Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy (ASBPA) is known for being straightforward but meticulous. Ensure your transcript clearly shows the required accounting and business courses. The application process is now fully online, which has sped things up significantly.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Your commute and lifestyle will heavily depend on where you choose to live. Birmingham is a city of distinct neighborhoods.

• Homewood (The Professional Favorite): Just south of downtown, this is where many young professionals live. Highly walkable, great restaurants, and excellent schools. It's a 10-15 minute commute to downtown offices or the UAB campus. Rent Estimate for 1BR: $1,200 - $1,500.
• Crestwood South (The Up-and-Coming): East of downtown, this neighborhood is attracting younger families and professionals. More affordable than Homewood, with a growing scene of coffee shops and breweries. Commute to downtown is about 15 minutes. Rent Estimate for 1BR: $900 - $1,200.
• Mountain Brook (The Upscale Choice): Affluent and suburban, with top-tier schools. It's more family-oriented and has a quieter pace. Commutes to downtown can be 20-25 minutes due to traffic. Rent Estimate for 1BR: $1,300 - $1,700 (primarily in apartment complexes on the edges).
• Trussville (The Suburban Commuter): East of the city, Trussville offers more space and newer construction for the price. It's popular with professionals who work in the eastern corporate parks (like near the airport) and don't mind a 30-minute drive to downtown. Rent Estimate for 1BR: $950 - $1,250.
• Downtown (The Urban Core): Living in the heart of the city is walkable to offices, but the rental stock is limited and can be pricier. It's ideal for those who want a true urban experience and a zero-minute commute. Rent Estimate for 1BR: $1,400 - $1,800+.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 4% signals a stable market, not a boomtown. Your growth will come from specialization and moving up the ladder, not from a flood of new entry-level jobs.

• Specialty Premiums: Expertise in audit (especially for healthcare or banking) and tax (corporate or international) commands the highest premiums. Controllers with strong financial planning & analysis (FP&A) skills are in high demand as companies focus on data-driven decision-making. Salaries for these roles can easily exceed the $115,000 mark.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is Staff Accountant -> Senior -> Manager -> Controller/CFO. In public accounting, it's Associate -> Senior -> Manager -> Partner/Director. The key to advancement here is networking. Join the Alabama Society of CPAs (ASCPA) and attend local chapter meetings. The local accounting community is tight-knit; knowing the right person can open doors.
• 10-Year Outlook: While the overall job growth is modest, the field is transforming. Automation of routine tasks (like data entry) will reduce demand for junior roles but increase demand for accountants who can interpret data, manage systems, and provide strategic advice. Birmingham's economy is shifting from heavy manufacturing to healthcare, tech, and finance, which will create new niches for accountants with the right skill set.

The Verdict: Is Birmingham Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong purchasing power. The combination of a median salary of $84,169 and a cost of living index of 92.6 is financially attractive.	Job growth is slow (4%). It's a stable market, not a high-growth one. Career changes might require patience.
Diverse industry base. From UAB to Regions Bank, you're not tied to one sector.	Public transit is limited. A car is essentially a necessity for daily life and commuting.
Manageable size. Easy to network and build a reputation. Traffic is minimal compared to larger metros.	The "Birmingham Bubble." The city can feel small; social and professional circles often overlap.
High quality of life. Great food scene, outdoor activities (Red Mountain, Oak Mountain), and a genuine sense of community.	Political and social climate. Like much of the South, the region has a complex history and ongoing social dynamics that some newcomers may find challenging to navigate.

Final Recommendation:
Birmingham is an excellent choice for accountants who value stability, a reasonable cost of living, and a high quality of life. It's ideal for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home and build a long-term career, or for those from smaller cities seeking a bigger market without the overwhelming scale of a top-10 metro. If you're motivated by explosive growth and a fast-paced, high-turnover environment, you might find Huntsville or Atlanta more exciting. But for most, Birmingham offers a sustainable and rewarding career path.

FAQs

1. Is it hard to find an accounting job in Birmingham without local experience?
Not particularly. The market is stable, and many firms (especially the Big 4 and large corporations) recruit nationally. Having your CPA is the biggest differentiator. That said, for smaller local firms (like Warren Averett or regional banks), local experience or a degree from a local university (UAB, Samford) can be an advantage. Networking is key—join the ASCPA before you move.

2. How competitive are the Big 4 offices in Birmingham?
The offices are competitive, but perhaps less intense than in major hubs like New York or Chicago. They primarily serve the financial services and healthcare sectors. Getting an interview often requires a solid GPA (3.5+), relevant internships, and strong communication skills. The work-life balance is still challenging, but the lifestyle in Birmingham (shorter commutes, lower cost of living) can make it more manageable than in other cities.

3. What is the parking situation like for downtown offices?
If you work downtown, parking is an expense to factor in. Many employers offer subsidized parking, but it's not always free. Monthly garages range from $75-$150. In neighborhoods like Homewood or Crestwood, parking is generally free and easy. Most accountants I know factor parking into their total compensation when considering a job offer.

4. Are there opportunities for remote accounting work in Birmingham?
Yes, but it's a mixed bag. Since the pandemic, remote work has become more common. Many local firms and corporate accounting departments offer hybrid schedules (2-3 days in office). Fully remote roles are more common with national firms that have Birmingham-based employees. If you're seeking a fully remote position, you may need to look for jobs with companies headquartered outside Alabama but that hire remotely.

5. How does the state income tax impact my take-home pay?
Alabama has a progressive income tax, with a top rate of 5% applied to income over $3,000 (single filer). The tax burden is relatively low compared to states with high income taxes (like California or New York). For a single filer making the median salary of $84,169, state income tax will be roughly $4,000-$4,500 annually, which is already factored into the take-home calculations in this guide.