Accountant in Franklin, TN

For an Accountant considering a move to Franklin, Tennessee, you're looking at a city that offers a compelling blend of historic charm, a thriving business environment, and a cost of living that sits just below the national average. Franklin isn't just a picturesque town; it's a serious economic hub for the greater Nashville area. This guide is designed to give you a no-nonsense, data-driven look at what it's really like to build an accounting career here, from your paycheck to your career trajectory.

As a local, I can tell you that Franklin’s identity is split between its Civil War-era roots and its modern role as a corporate satellite. You'll find accountants working for legacy companies downtown and for fast-growing healthcare and tech firms in the suburbs. The vibe is professional but not stuffy, and the commute to Nashville is a major factor in daily life. Let's break down the numbers, the neighborhoods, and the long-term outlook.

The Salary Picture: Where Franklin Stands

First, the hard data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market analysis, the median salary for an Accountant in Franklin is $85,408/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $41.06/hour. This is slightly below the national average for the profession, which sits at $86,080/year. It's a small but meaningful difference, often offset by the city's lower cost of living.

The job market here is stable but not explosive. There are approximately 177 accounting jobs in the metro area, with a projected 10-year job growth of 4%. This indicates a steady demand for skilled professionals, particularly those with specialized experience, rather than a boomtown hiring frenzy.

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range (Franklin, TN)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$55,000 - $68,000	Bookkeeping, AP/AR reconciliation, assisting with month-end close, basic tax preparation.
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$70,000 - $95,000	Full-cycle accounting, managing junior staff, preparing financial statements, complex tax filings, internal controls.
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$90,000 - $120,000+	Financial planning & analysis (FP&A), controller duties, audit management, strategic cost reduction.
Expert/Partner (15+ years)	$125,000 - $180,000+	Director/VP-level roles, tax strategy for high-net-worth individuals, partnership in a firm, CFO for mid-sized companies.

Insider Tip: While the median is $85,408, specializing in areas like healthcare revenue cycle management (a huge sector here) or software/SaaS accounting can push you into the higher end of the range. Local firms often pay a premium for CPAs with audit experience, especially for those serving publicly traded clients based in the area.

Comparison to Other TN Cities:

• Nashville: Salaries are slightly higher (median ~$90k), but the cost of living and commute are significantly steeper.
• Chattanooga: Salaries are lower (median ~$78k), with a lower cost of living but a smaller job market.
• Knoxville: Similar to Franklin in salary range and cost of living, but with a different employer mix (heavily government and university-focused).

Franklin strikes a balance: it offers Nashville-adjacent salary potential without the full Nashville price tag, which is why many professionals choose to live and work here.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's run a realistic monthly budget for a mid-career Accountant earning the median salary of $85,408/year. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, your take-home pay will be approximately $5,200/month (this is an estimate; use a TN-specific tax calculator for precision).

Franklin's average 1-bedroom rent is $1,442/month, and its Cost of Living Index is 97.4 (US avg = 100). Here’s how a typical monthly budget might look:

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$5,200	Based on $85,408/year salary
Rent (1BR)	$1,442	Average for a decent apartment in a safe area
Utilities	$250	Includes electric, water, internet, gas.
Groceries	$400	Franklin has competitive grocery prices (Publix, Kroger, Aldi).
Transportation	$350	Car payment, gas, insurance. Essential here.
Healthcare	$300	Employer-sponsored plan premiums + out-of-pocket.
Misc. & Savings	$2,458	This is where financial health is built.

Can they afford to buy a home? Yes, but it requires planning. The median home price in Franklin is around $600,000. With a 20% down payment ($120,000), a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would be roughly $3,200-$3,500. For an individual earning $85,408, this is a stretch but doable with a disciplined savings plan and a dual-income household. Many professionals here start in apartments in areas like Cool Springs or Nolensville before buying in suburbs like Leiper's Fork or Thompson's Station.

Where the Jobs Are: Franklin's Major Employers

Franklin's economy is diverse, anchored by healthcare, corporate offices, and a growing tech scene. Here are the key players for accountants:

1. HealthTrust (HCA Healthcare): Located in the Berry Farms area, this is a massive supply chain and revenue cycle management hub. They hire hundreds of accountants for roles in procurement, vendor payments, and healthcare finance. Hiring is consistent, especially for those with systems experience (like SAP or Oracle).
2. Community Health Systems (CHS): Based in nearby Brentwood, CHS is a major hospital operator. Their corporate office employs accountants for financial reporting, audit, and consolidation for a network of hospitals. They have a steady need for CPA-trained professionals.
3. Nissan North America: Their headquarters are in nearby Smyrna, but Franklin is a key residential and commuting area for their employees. Nissan hires accountants for cost accounting (huge for manufacturing), financial analysis, and internal audit.
4. Mars Petcare: Their U.S. headquarters are in Franklin. This is a great example of a large consumer goods company with a localized corporate office. They need accountants familiar with cost accounting, inventory management, and international transfer pricing.
5. Franklin Synergy Bank (Now First Horizon): After its acquisition, this major regional bank's operations are still based in Franklin. They employ accountants in commercial lending, internal audit, and financial reporting.
6. Local & Regional CPA Firms: Firms like Parks, Davis & Co. and Kerstin & Associates serve the thriving small business and high-net-worth individual community. These offer a classic public accounting track with a focus on local businesses, agriculture, and real estate.
7. State Government: The Tennessee Department of Revenue has a significant presence in the Nashville area, including Franklin, for roles in tax examination and compliance.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward specialization. General ledger accountants are needed, but the highest demand and compensation are for those with experience in ERP systems (NetSuite, SAP), data analytics (Power BI, Tableau), and industry-specific knowledge (healthcare revenue cycle, manufacturing cost accounting).

Getting Licensed in TN

To practice as a CPA in Tennessee, you must meet the State Board of Accountancy requirements.

• Education: A minimum of 150 semester hours of college education, including a bachelor's degree with 30 hours of upper-level accounting courses and 24 hours of general business courses.
• Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG).
• Experience: One year (2,000 hours) of qualifying experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
• Ethics Exam: Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Exam Fees: ~$1,500 (varies by state and number of attempts).
• Review Course: $1,500 - $3,000 (essential investment).
• Licensing Fees: ~$250-$300 for initial application and license.
• Timeline: For someone with a 150-hour degree, the process typically takes 12-18 months: 6-12 months to study and pass the exam, plus 3-6 months for experience verification and application processing.

Insider Tip: Tennessee is a "two-tier" state, meaning you get a CPA certificate upon passing the exam and a license after meeting experience/ethics requirements. You can list "CPA" after your name once you have the certificate, which is a major career booster even before you secure the full license.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Where you live in Franklin impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget significantly. Here’s a local’s guide:

1. Downtown Franklin: The historic core. Walkable, charming, and home to many boutique firms and small businesses. Commute to major employers is 10-20 minutes. Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,600 - $2,000+. Lifestyle is social and community-oriented.
2. Cool Springs: The corporate and retail heart. Home to massive office parks (like the one housing HealthTrust) and shopping centers. Extremely convenient for work but can feel generic. Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,500 - $1,800. Ideal for minimizing commute time.
3. Nolensville: A rapidly growing suburb with a small-town feel, excellent schools, and more affordable housing. It's a 20-25 minute commute to Franklin's core employers. Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,300 - $1,500. Popular with young families and professionals.
4. Leiper's Fork: For those seeking a rural, scenic lifestyle. It's a 25-30 minute commute but offers large properties, tight-knit community, and a slower pace. A favorite among those who work from home or in nearby Brentwood. Rent Estimate (1BR): Harder to find; if available, ~$1,600-$1,800. Usually involves renting a house or carriage house.
5. Thompson's Station: Another fast-growing suburb south of Franklin. Great schools, new developments, and a more suburban feel. Commute is 20-30 minutes. Rent Estimate (1BR): Similar to Nolensville, around $1,350 - $1,550.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Franklin, the path to a six-figure salary is clear but requires strategic moves.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • CPA Certification: The single biggest salary booster, often adding $10,000 - $15,000 or more to your base.
  • ERP Expertise: Proficiency in systems like SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite is highly valued and can command a 10-15% premium.
  • Healthcare Finance: With major players like HCA and CHS, this specialization is a direct path to high-demand, well-compensated roles.
  • FP&A & Data Analytics: Moving beyond traditional accounting into forecasting and business intelligence is the key to leadership roles.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Public Accounting: Staff Accountant → Senior → Manager → Director/Partner. This path offers broad exposure but can be demanding.
  2. Corporate (Industry): Staff Accountant → Senior Accountant → Accounting Manager → Controller → CFO. This is a common track in Franklin's corporate offices.
  3. Government/Non-Profit: While salaries may be lower, the work-life balance and pension benefits are attractive for some.

• 10-Year Outlook: With a 4% job growth rate, the market will remain stable. The biggest shifts will be toward automation of routine tasks (AP/AR, data entry), making the accountant's role more analytical. Those who embrace technology and specialize will see the best growth. The rise of remote work also opens opportunities to work for Nashville-based firms while living in Franklin, expanding your job pool.

The Verdict: Is Franklin Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong Job Market with major employers in healthcare and corporate sectors.	Commuting can be a major factor, with traffic to Nashville being significant.
Lower Cost of Living than Nashville, especially for homeowners.	Housing is expensive relative to other parts of Tennessee; buying is a stretch on a single median salary.
High Quality of Life: Excellent schools, safe communities, rich culture.	Competitive Job Market for mid-level roles; you need a strong resume.
Proximity to Nashville for entertainment and additional career opportunities.	Social scene can be more family-oriented and less active for young singles than Nashville.
No State Income Tax on wages (though property taxes are higher).	Limited Public Transit makes a car a necessity.

Final Recommendation:
Franklin is an excellent choice for Accountants who value quality of life, stability, and a professional environment without the relentless pace of a major downtown core. It's ideal for mid-career professionals, especially those with families, who want to leverage their CPA or industry specialty to earn a solid income while building equity in a home. If you're seeking a high-energy, urban environment with a vibrant nightlife, Nashville might be a better fit. But for a balanced, prosperous, and community-focused career, Franklin is a top-tier destination.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the job market for non-CPAs in Franklin?
A: It's competitive but not impossible. Many staff and senior accountant roles don't require a CPA, but they do demand strong technical skills (Excel, ERP systems) and relevant industry experience. You'll have more opportunities in corporate industry roles than in public accounting. To move into management, however, a CPA is often a prerequisite.

Q: What's the commute like from Franklin to Nashville?
A: It's highly dependent on your work hours and location. A commute to downtown Nashville can take 30-45 minutes with no traffic, but during rush hour, it can easily exceed 60-75 minutes. The I-65 corridor is the main route. Many Franklin-based accountants work for employers in the Cool Springs area, where the commute is negligible (5-15 minutes).

Q: Are there opportunities for remote work in Franklin?
A: Yes, especially post-pandemic. Many national companies and Nashville-based firms have adopted hybrid models. However, for local employers like HealthTrust or CHS, some on-site work is still common. It's a growing trend, and you can often negotiate for hybrid flexibility after securing a role.

Q: How important is networking in this market?
A: Extremely important. The Franklin business community is tight-knit. Join the Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA) Middle Tennessee Chapter, attend events at the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce, and connect with local professionals on LinkedIn. Many jobs are filled through referrals before they're ever posted publicly.

Q: Is Franklin a good place to start an accounting firm?
A: It can be, but it's a challenging market. There are established local firms, and the high-net-worth individual and small business community is sophisticated. Success requires a clear niche (e.g., real estate, medical practices, family offices) and a strong local reputation. The potential is there, but it's not a "blank slate" market.