Accountant in Grand Island, NE

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Accountants considering a move to Grand Island, Nebraska.

---

The Salary Picture: Where Grand Island Stands

As a local, I’ve watched the accounting profession evolve here in the “Island City.” We’re not a sprawling financial hub like Omaha, but our economy is robust and diversified, which keeps demand for skilled accountants steady. The salary data reflects this reality: it’s a solid middle-ground market. You won’t find the mega-salaries of a coastal city, but the cost of living is so dramatically lower that your purchasing power is often stronger.

Let’s break down what you can expect to earn based on experience. These figures are based on the median for the metro area and typical progression in a market like Grand Island.

Experience-Level Salary Breakdown

Experience Level	Typical Title Range	Estimated Annual Salary
Entry-Level	Staff Accountant, Junior CPA	$55,000 - $68,000
Mid-Career	Senior Accountant, Tax Associate	$72,000 - $88,000
Senior/Lead	Accounting Manager, Controller	$90,000 - $115,000
Expert/Partner	CFO, Partner (Public Firm)	$120,000+

The median salary for Accountants in Grand Island is $82,800/year, with an hourly rate of $39.81/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $86,080/year, but don’t let that number fool you. When you factor in the local cost of living, that $82,800 goes much further here than it would in a larger metro.

Insider Tip: The lower end of the mid-career range ($72,000 - $88,000) is where most professionals with 5-10 years of experience will land. If you’re a CPA with audit or tax specialization, you can command at the higher end of that bracket, especially with the Big Four firms having a minor presence and the larger regional firms like BKD serving the area.

Grand Island vs. Other Nebraska Cities:

• Omaha: Salaries are about 10-15% higher, but the cost of living is significantly steeper, especially for housing.
• Lincoln: Similar to Omaha in both salary and cost of living, driven by the university and state government.
• Kearney: Slightly lower than Grand Island, with a much smaller job market.
• North Platte: Lower salaries and a more limited range of employers.

The Job Market Context: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local data, there are approximately 105 accounting jobs in the Grand Island metro. The 10-year job growth is 4%, which is modest but stable. This isn't a boomtown for accountants; it's a steady, reliable market. Growth is driven by the expansion of healthcare, agriculture, and logistics sectors, all of which require robust financial oversight.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

This is where Grand Island shines. The financial reality for an accountant earning the median salary is often more comfortable than the raw salary suggests.

Let’s break down a monthly budget for an accountant earning the $82,800 median salary. We’ll use conservative estimates for taxes and local living costs.

Monthly Budget Breakdown: Accountant at $82,800/Year

Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Pay	$6,900	$82,800 / 12 months
Taxes (Est.)	-$1,450	Federal, FICA, State (NE has a progressive income tax)
Net Take-Home	~$5,450	After taxes
Average 1BR Rent	-$829	Citywide average
Utilities & Internet	-$150	Includes electricity, gas, water, internet
Groceries & Household	-$400	For one person
Car Payment/Insurance	-$500	Assumes a used car payment + full coverage
Health Insurance	-$250	Premium contribution (varies by employer)
Retirement Savings	-$690	Aggressive 10% savings rate
Discretionary	-$2,131	Car gas, eating out, entertainment, savings buffer

Result: After all essential expenses and aggressive savings, you still have over $2,100 in discretionary income. This provides an enormous financial cushion uncommon in larger cities.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Absolutely. The median home price in Grand Island hovers around $230,000. With a 20% down payment ($46,000), a 30-year mortgage at ~6.5% would have a monthly payment of roughly $1,160 (principal and interest only). This is only slightly more than the average rent. With your strong take-home pay, saving for a down payment is a realistic goal within 3-5 years for most mid-career professionals.

Where the Jobs Are: Grand Island's Major Employers

The accounting job market here is anchored by a few key sectors: healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and public sector/government. You won’t find the tech startups of Austin, but you will find stable, long-term employers.

1. CHI Health St. Francis: As the largest regional medical center, the finance department here is substantial. They hire staff accountants, revenue cycle specialists, and financial analysts. It’s a major employer with excellent benefits. Hiring is steady but competitive; they value CPA credentials for senior roles.
2. Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS): The school district is one of the largest employers in Hall County. They have a dedicated business office with opportunities for accountants, bookkeepers, and payroll specialists. The work is public sector, meaning more predictable hours and great job security, but salaries may be slightly below private industry.
3. JBS USA (Beef Plant): This is the economic heart of Grand Island. The corporate side of JBS has a finance team that handles everything from cost accounting to financial reporting for the massive facility. It’s a demanding environment, but the experience is invaluable. They often hire for roles in cost accounting and internal audit.
4. Berkot’s Super Foods (Corporate): While the stores are in Illinois, Berkot’s has its corporate headquarters and a significant distribution center in Grand Island. This means a need for accountants in logistics, inventory accounting, and corporate finance. It’s a hidden gem for those with a retail or supply chain focus.
5. Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS): Based in the Southside neighborhood, MDS is a large nonprofit that coordinates disaster response across the U.S. Their finance team handles complex grant accounting and multi-million dollar budgets, offering a niche for nonprofit accounting specialists.
6. MBAF (Mennonite Brethren Aid): A significant insurance and financial services organization with deep roots in the community. They employ accountants in their corporate office, focusing on regulatory compliance and financial oversight.
7. State and Local Government: The Hall County government and the City of Grand Island itself have finance departments. The Nebraska Department of Revenue has a regional office here, which is a major employer for auditors and tax specialists.

Hiring Trends: The demand is for generalists in the mid-career range. Specialization in healthcare revenue cycle, non-profit accounting (due to the many faith-based organizations), or manufacturing cost accounting gives you a significant edge. Public accounting firms like BKD and smaller local CPA firms are always looking for seasonal help during tax season and for full-time staff.

Getting Licensed in NE

For public accounting, you’ll need a CPA license. Nebraska’s requirements are straightforward but require careful planning.

1. Education: You need 150 semester hours of college credit. A bachelor’s degree in accounting is the foundation. Many accountants in Grand Island get their extra hours through online programs or the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) or Doane University’s Lincoln campus. Pro Tip: Look into the Nebraska State College System (like Chadron State College) for affordable, accredited online programs for those final 30 hours.
2. The Uniform CPA Exam: You must pass all four sections (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG). You can take these at testing centers in Omaha or Lincoln. Study time is crucial—plan for 300+ hours of study.
3. Experience: Nebraska requires one year of experience (2,000 hours) in accounting, auditing, or tax services under the supervision of a licensed CPA. This can be at a public accounting firm or in industry (like at CHI Health or JBS), but the supervising CPA must attest to your work.
4. Ethics Exam: You must pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.
5. Cost: Budget $1,500 - $2,500 for the exam fees, application fees, and study materials. This is a significant investment, but it pays off with higher earning potential.

Timeline: From starting the education requirements to getting your license, expect a 2-3 year process if you’re starting from scratch. If you already have a 120-hour degree, you can get licensed in about 12-18 months.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Grand Island’s neighborhoods are distinct. Your choice will depend on your lifestyle and commute.

1. Southside: This is the classic, established neighborhood near the historic downtown. It’s walkable, with older homes and a strong sense of community. You’re close to the Nebraska State Fairgrounds and Mennonite Disaster Service. Rent for a 1BR in a historic duplex might be $750-$850. Commute to downtown offices is 5-10 minutes.
2. Northwest Heights: A family-oriented neighborhood with good schools and larger, more modern homes. It’s a quick drive to the CHI St. Francis campus and the Mall area where many corporate offices are located. Rent for a 1BR apartment here is around $800-$900. Commute is minimal (under 15 minutes to most employers).
3. Downtown: Revitalizing and full of character. You’ll find loft-style apartments and renovated homes. It’s ideal for someone who wants to walk to coffee shops and restaurants. Proximity to the Hall County Courthouse and City Hall is a plus for government accountants. Rent can vary widely: $700-$1,200 depending on the unit. Commute is zero if you work downtown.
4. East Grand Island: More suburban, with newer apartment complexes and single-family homes. It’s close to the US-34/US-281 bypass, making it a straightforward commute to the JBS plant or Berkot’s distribution center. Rent for a new 1BR is $850-$950. Commute is 10-15 minutes to most major employers.
5. The Avenues (West of the railroad tracks): A mix of older homes and new developments. It’s quieter, with a slower pace. Rent is slightly lower, around $700-$800 for a 1BR. The commute to downtown or the hospital is about 10-15 minutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Grand Island, career advancement often means moving into management or specializing. The 10-year outlook is stable, not explosive.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • CPA Credential: Unlocks the highest salaries, especially in public accounting and senior corporate roles. Expect a 15-25% premium over non-CPAs.
  • Healthcare Revenue Cycle: With CHI Health and other clinics, this is a growing niche. Specialists here are in demand.
  • Cost Accounting (Ag/Manufacturing): Deep knowledge of JBS or agricultural cooperatives’ cost structures is highly valuable and can lead to controller roles.
  • Non-Profit Accounting: Expertise in grant management and donor reporting is unique to this market and can lead to director of finance positions at organizations like MDS or local foundations.

• Advancement Paths:

  • Public Accounting: Staff Accountant → Senior → Manager → Partner/Senior Manager (at a regional firm like BKD). The path is clear but competitive.
  • Industry (e.g., JBS, CHI Health): Staff Accountant → Senior → Accounting Manager → Controller → CFO. This is the most common path. You often need to move between companies to climb the ladder faster.
  • Government: Entry-level → Specialist → Manager → Department Head. Slow but extremely stable, with excellent benefits.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 4% job growth indicates a market that will need new accountants to replace retirees, not necessarily to create vast new teams. Future growth will be in data analytics and systems integration. Accountants who can bridge traditional accounting with ERP systems (like SAP, Oracle) will have a distinct advantage. Remote work is possible but less common here; local job postings still prioritize in-office candidates. Your long-term security is tied to building a deep network within the local business community.

The Verdict: Is Grand Island Right for You?

Pros of Grand Island for Accountants	Cons of Grand Island for Accountants
Extremely low cost of living; your salary stretches far.	Limited job market (only ~105 jobs); less mobility.
Stable, diverse employers across healthcare, ag, and gov't.	Modest salary growth (4% over 10 years).
Short commutes (typically 10-15 minutes).	Fewer high-profile, "glamorous" accountant roles.
Strong community and family-friendly environment.	Social scene is quieter; limited nightlife/cultural events.
High homeownership potential (median home price ~$230k).	Remote work is less common; office culture is the norm.

Final Recommendation:

Grand Island is an excellent choice for accountants who value quality of life, stability, and affordability over rapid career acceleration or a high-density social scene. It’s ideal for:

• Early-career professionals looking to build experience without massive debt.
• Mid-career professionals seeking a better work-life balance and homeownership.
• CPAs who want a stable, predictable practice serving local businesses and nonprofits.

If you’re a high-achiever seeking the fast track to a Fortune 500 CFO role, you’ll likely hit a ceiling here. But for the vast majority of accountants, Grand Island offers a financially secure and personally fulfilling career path.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the job market really?
A: It’s competitive for the number of openings, but not cutthroat. The key is networking. Join the Nebraska Society of CPAs (NSCPA) and attend local chamber of commerce events. Many jobs are filled through referrals.

Q: Is a CPA license necessary to get a good job here?
A: No. Many excellent roles in industry (like at JBS or CHI Health) don’t require a CPA. However, for public accounting and the highest-tier corporate roles (Controller, CFO), it’s essential.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for a new accountant moving here?
A: Building a professional network. Grand Island is a “who you know” town. Proactively seek out mentors, join professional groups, and don’t be shy about informational interviews.

Q: Are there opportunities for remote or hybrid work?
A: Limited. While some companies offer hybrid schedules, the local culture is still largely in-person. The pandemic shifted some roles, but Grand Island employers value face-to-face collaboration. Remote roles often pay based on national scales, which could be higher or lower than local salaries.

Q: How do I get started with my job search?
A: Look at the job boards for the major employers listed above (CHI Health, GIPS, JBS). Also, work with local staffing agencies that specialize in finance and accounting. They often have unlisted openings. Update your LinkedIn and set your location to Grand Island, as recruiters do search locally.