Accountant in Hollywood, FL

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Accountants considering Hollywood, Florida.

The Salary Picture: Where Hollywood Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Hollywood isn't just a film district in California; it's a bustling, mid-sized city in Broward County, nestled between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. For accountants, this location offers a unique mix of opportunities. The median salary for accountants here is $89,127/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.85/hour. This is notably higher than the national average of $86,080/year, a fact that often surprises people who assume South Florida salaries lag behind the national curve due to the "sunshine tax." However, the competitive corporate environment in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area drives these wages upward, and Hollywood benefits directly from this economic gravity.

Looking at the broader picture, the job market is steady but not exploding. There are approximately 307 accountant jobs in the Hollywood metro area, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 4%. This isn't a boomtown for accounting; it's a stable, mature market. You won't see the explosive growth of a tech hub, but you'll find consistent demand, especially in healthcare, real estate, and tourism—sectors that are pillars of the local economy.

To give you a clearer picture of how experience translates to pay, here's a breakdown:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Salary Range (Est.)
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$65,000 - $75,000
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$80,000 - $95,000
Senior	8-15 years	$100,000 - $125,000
Expert/Managerial	15+ years	$130,000+

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-level to senior is often where you see the most significant salary increase in Hollywood. This is because local firms and corporate offices are hungry for CPAs who can manage client portfolios or oversee internal audit functions. The $89,127 median is heavily weighted toward that mid-to-senior range.

Comparison to Other Florida Cities:

• Miami/Fort Lauderdale: Slightly higher, with medians closer to $92,000-$95,000, but the cost of living, particularly rent, is significantly higher.
• Tampa: Very similar to Hollywood, with a median around $88,000. Tampa has a slightly larger corporate base but less international influence.
• Orlando: A touch lower, around $85,000, with more opportunities in hospitality and entertainment accounting.
• Jacksonville: Often lower, around $82,000, due to a different industrial mix (shipping, logistics).

Hollywood sits in a sweet spot—high enough salary to compete, but with a slightly more manageable cost of living than Miami proper.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's do the math. An annual salary of $89,127 sounds good, but the reality of take-home pay in Florida is shaped by two key factors: no state income tax and a high cost of living, primarily driven by housing.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Estimates for a Single Accountant)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$7,427	$89,127 / 12
Federal Tax & FICA	~$1,550	Rough estimate; depends on filing status, 401k contributions.
Net Monthly Pay	~$5,877	Your take-home.
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,621	Based on city-wide average.
Utilities	$150 - $200	Electricity is the big one (AC).
Car Payment/Insurance	$500 - $700	Car is essential; insurance rates are high in South FL.
Groceries	$400 - $500
Health Insurance	$200 - $400	If not fully covered by employer.
Discretionary	$1,000 - $1,500	Dining out, entertainment, etc.
Savings/Investment	$1,000+	Leftover for retirement, emergency fund.

This budget is tight but manageable. You'll have a comfortable lifestyle if you're single or a dual-income household. You won't be luxury living, but you won't be struggling.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the critical question. The median home price in Hollywood is hovering around $450,000 - $500,000. With a $89,127 salary, even with no state tax, purchasing a home is challenging for a single income. A 20% down payment on a $475,000 home is $95,000. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would likely exceed $2,800, which is roughly 40% of your net income—well above the recommended 30% threshold.

Insider Tip: Many local accountants live in Hollywood but purchase homes in neighboring, more affordable areas like Miramar or Pembroke Pines, where prices can be 10-15% lower. Others wait until they reach the senior level ($125,000+), where a dual-income household can comfortably afford a home in a good neighborhood.

Where the Jobs Are: Hollywood's Major Employers

Hollywood's job market for accountants is defined by three pillars: healthcare, real estate/development, and the massive service/tourism industry. You're not going to find a lot of pure-play manufacturing or tech HQs here. Your opportunities are with:

1. Memorial Healthcare System: A major employer with multiple hospitals, including Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. They have a large internal accounting, finance, and billing department. They often hire staff accountants, revenue cycle analysts, and financial managers. Hiring is steady, with a focus on CPAs for senior roles.

2. The City of Hollywood: As a municipal government, the city has a full-fledged finance department. Jobs here are often for accountants, financial analysts, and budget officers. These are stable, government jobs with great benefits but slower salary growth. Check the Broward County Government website for openings.

3. Toys "R" Us (Corporate): The corporate office for North America is located in the Diplomat Plaza in Hollywood. They have a significant finance and accounting department handling global operations. This is a corporate environment with opportunities for financial reporting, internal audit, and treasury roles.

4. Real Estate & Development Firms: Hollywood is a development hotspot. Look for firms in the Downtown Hollywood and Golden Isles area. Companies like The Related Group (has a presence) or local developers like Gulf Stream Park (a massive complex with its own finance team) hire accountants familiar with project accounting and real estate finance.

5. Hospitality & Cruise Lines: Hollywood is home to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and numerous hotels. Companies like Hilton (for their many properties) and Carnival Cruise Line (headquartered in Miami, but with a huge local presence) have accounting needs. You can find roles in property accounting, revenue management, and corporate finance for hotel chains.

6. Local CPA Firms: There are dozens of mid-sized CPA firms that serve the local small business community, particularly in real estate, medical practices, and legal firms. Firms like Fishman & Associates or Kerkering, Barberio & Co. have a presence in the region. These are excellent places to start your career or transition from industry to public accounting.

Hiring Trends: There's a consistent demand for accountants with real estate experience and those skilled in governmental accounting. The healthcare sector is always expanding, so experience with revenue cycle management (RCM) is a huge plus. For public accounting, the trend is toward advisory services beyond traditional tax and audit—like business valuation or wealth management, which are in high demand from the affluent retiree population.

Getting Licensed in FL

To practice as a CPA in Florida, you must be licensed by the Florida Board of Accountancy (under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation). The process is standardized but requires meticulous attention.

Requirements:

1. Education: A 120-credit hour bachelor's degree is the minimum to sit for the exam, but 150 hours are required for licensure. Most candidates get a master's in accounting or an MBA to fulfill this. Ensure your program is accredited by AACSB or ACBSP.
2. The Uniform CPA Exam: You must pass all four sections (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG) within an 18-month window. You can take the exam in Florida at Pearson VUE test centers (locations in Fort Lauderdale, Miami).
3. Experience: You need one year of accounting experience (1,800 hours) under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, or government.
4. Ethics Exam: You must pass the Florida-specific ethics exam offered by the AICPA.

Costs & Timeline:

• Exam Fees: Approximately $1,500 - $2,000 for all four sections.
• Education: Varies wildly, but a master's degree can cost $20,000 - $50,000.
• License Application Fee: $150 (initial).
• Timeline: From starting your 150-hour education to getting your license is typically 2-3 years. If you already have the credits, passing the exam and gaining experience can take 12-18 months.

Insider Tip: The Florida Board is notoriously slow with application processing. Submit your experience verification forms early. Also, Florida requires you to use their specific form for the ethics exam—don't just take the generic AICPA one.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Your choice of neighborhood in Hollywood will dictate your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local's guide:

1. Downtown Hollywood:

   • Vibe: Urban, walkable, artsy. Home to the Arts Park, trendy restaurants, and older, charming apartments.
   • Commute: Excellent for City of Hollywood jobs. A short drive to downtown Fort Lauderdale (15-20 mins). Can be a longer commute to Miami (30-45 mins).
   • Rent for 1BR: $1,650 - $1,950. You're paying for location and walkability.

2. Hollywood Beach (South of Tennessee St.):

   • Vibe: Touristy, vibrant, close to the ocean. Can be noisy and crowded during season. More condos and vacation rentals.
   • Commute: Good for jobs in hospitality or downtown Hollywood. Traffic to I-95 can be a nightmare during peak hours.
   • Rent for 1BR: $1,800 - $2,200. Premium for beach access.

3. South Hollywood (near Stirling Rd & I-95):

   • Vibe: Suburban, family-friendly, more modern apartment complexes. More affordable than the beach.
   • Commute: Excellent access to I-95 for commuting to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or even the Diplomat Plaza. This is where many young professionals live.
   • Rent for 1BR: $1,500 - $1,750. Good value for the location.

4. West Hollywood (near Sheridan St & Flamingo Rd):

   • Vibe: Quiet, residential, with more single-family homes. Less walkable, more car-centric.
   • Commute: Good for jobs at Memorial Healthcare (main campus) or commuting west toward Miramar/Pembroke Pines. A longer drive to the coast or Miami.
   • Rent for 1BR: $1,400 - $1,600. The most budget-friendly option for Hollywood.

5. Golden Isles (North of Hollywood):

   • Vibe: Affluent, waterfront, luxury condos and boats. This is the upscale part of Hollywood.
   • Commute: Easy access to I-95, but you're paying a premium. Close to the Gulf Stream Park complex.
   • Rent for 1BR: $2,000+. Out of reach for most entry-level accountants, but a potential target for senior-level professionals.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-95 and US-1 (Federal Highway) is a daily reality. If your job is in Miami, living in South Hollywood near I-95 is a lifesaver. If you work at the City of Hollywood, Downtown or West Hollywood makes more sense.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 4% indicates a stable, not rapidly expanding, market. Career growth here isn't about explosive new industries; it's about specialization and moving up within existing structures.

Specialty Premiums:

• CPA License: The single biggest salary booster. Expect a 10-20% premium over non-CPAs for equivalent roles.
• Real Estate Accounting: A 5-10% premium. With the constant development, this is a hot niche.
• Forensic Accounting: A 15-25% premium. There's demand from law firms in Fort Lauderdale and Miami dealing with fraud cases.
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): Less common, but valuable for corporate finance/investment roles in Miami, offering a 10-15% premium.

Advancement Paths:

1. Public Accounting Path: Staff Accountant → Senior → Manager → Partner (or Senior Manager). This is the traditional route, offering the fastest skill development but with a demanding workload.
2. Industry Path: Staff Accountant → Senior → Accounting Manager → Controller → CFO. This path offers better work-life balance (especially in large healthcare or corporate settings) but can be slower. Hollywood's major employers (Memorial, Toys "R" Us) provide clear ladders.
3. Government/Non-Profit Path: Accountant → Senior Accountant → Finance Director. This path offers unparalleled job security and benefits but lower overall salary potential.

10-Year Outlook: The job market will remain stable. Growth will come from economic expansion in Miami spilling over (more corporate back-office functions relocating to Hollywood for lower costs) and the aging population driving healthcare spending. Accountants who are tech-savvy (proficient in data analytics, ERP systems like Oracle or SAP) will have a distinct advantage. The biggest opportunity for advancement will be moving into management or specialized advisory roles, as routine accounting is increasingly automated.

The Verdict: Is Hollywood Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Salary Above National Average: The $89,127 median is strong for the cost of living.	High Cost of Living: Rent and housing costs are high, squeezing take-home pay.
No State Income Tax: Your $42.85/hour goes further than in many states.	Hurricane Risk: You must budget for high insurance and potential evacuation costs.
Job Stability: Steady demand from healthcare, government, and real estate.	Traffic: Commutes can be long and stressful, especially on I-95.
Location: Beach lifestyle with proximity to Miami/Fort Lauderdale's culture and jobs.	Competitive Market: You're competing with talent from a larger, more populous metro area.
Diverse Industries: Opportunities beyond traditional accounting (real estate, healthcare).	Limited "Big 4" Presence: Fewer top-tier public accounting headquarters compared to NYC or Chicago.

Final Recommendation:
Hollywood, FL is an excellent choice for an accountant seeking a balanced lifestyle with a decent salary. It's ideal for those who:

• Are mid-career (3-7 years experience) and can earn the median salary.
• Are willing to live in a shared apartment or a budget-conscious neighborhood initially.
• Value beach access and warm weather over a bustling urban core.
• Are willing to commute to Miami for higher-paying opportunities if needed.

It is not the best choice for someone seeking rapid, explosive career growth, or for those who want to buy a home on a single income immediately. For you, it's a "starter city" with a strong ceiling—excellent for building experience, enjoying the Florida lifestyle, and eventually leveraging your skills in the broader South Florida market.

FAQs

Q: How hard is it to find a job as a non-CPA in Hollywood?
A: It's possible, especially in staff accountant or bookkeeping roles at smaller firms or local businesses. However, for the best-paying jobs at Memorial Healthcare or corporate offices, a CPA license is highly preferred, if not required, for senior roles. Getting your CPA is the single best investment for your career here.

Q: Is the "Florida lifestyle" affordable on an accountant's salary?
A: Yes, but with caveats. You can enjoy the beach, parks, and outdoor activities, which are largely free. Dining out and nightlife in Downtown Hollywood or on the Beach can be expensive. Your