Accountant in Jacksonville, FL

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Accountants considering a move to Jacksonville, FL.

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The Salary Picture: Where Jacksonville Stands

As a local, I’ll tell you straight up: Jacksonville offers a compelling financial proposition for accountants, especially when you factor in the cost of living. You’re not getting the sky-high salaries of South Florida or New York, but your paycheck stretches significantly further here.

The median salary for an Accountant in the Jacksonville metro area is $85,873/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.29. This is slightly below the national average of $86,080, but that slight dip is more than offset by the city's affordability. The Jacksonville metro is home to 1,971 accounting jobs, and the field is showing a steady 10-year job growth of 4%. It's not explosive growth, but it's stable and sustainable.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in our market. These are local averages based on market data and my conversations with hiring managers.

Experience Level	Approx. Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range (Jacksonville)
Entry-Level	0-2 Years	$58,000 - $70,000
Mid-Level	3-7 Years	$75,000 - $95,000
Senior-Level	8-15 Years	$95,000 - $125,000
Expert/Manager	15+ Years	$125,000+

Insider Tip: Specializations matter immensely. Forensic accountants, internal auditors for large corporations, and CPAs with tax expertise in corporate or trust/estate planning can command salaries at the higher end of these ranges or even exceed them.

How Jacksonville Stacks Up Against Other Florida Cities:

• Miami-Fort Lauderdale: Salaries are ~15-20% higher, but the cost of living (especially housing) is 50%+ higher. You'd need a significant pay bump to net the same lifestyle.
• Tampa-St. Petersburg: Very comparable to Jacksonville, both in salary and cost of living. It's a tight competition, but Jacksonville feels more spread out and has a larger corporate base.
• Orlando: Similar salary range, but more tourism-driven. Jacksonville's economy is more diversified, with strong logistics, finance, and healthcare sectors.
• Tallahassee: State government jobs may offer stability, but the private sector salary ceiling is lower than in Jacksonville.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's talk real numbers. If you're earning the median salary of $85,873, what does your monthly budget look like after the essentials? Here’s a realistic breakdown for a single person, accounting for Florida's no state income tax.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Based on $85,873 Annual Salary)

Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$7,156
Estimated Deductions	$1,350	Federal taxes, FICA (7.65%), health insurance, 401(k) contribution (5%).
Net Take-Home Pay	$5,806
Rent (1-BR Apartment)	$1,354	Jacksonville Average
Utilities (Avg.)	~$200	Electricity, water, internet. (High in summer due to AC).
Car Payment/Insurance	~$500	Jacksonville is car-centric; insurance rates are moderate.
Groceries	~$400
Gas/Transport	~$250	Depending on commute.
Discretionary/Misc.	~$1,000	Entertainment, dining, savings, etc.
Total Expenses (approx.)	$3,704
Monthly Savings Potential	~$2,102

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, absolutely. This is where Jacksonville shines for homeowners. The median home price in the metro area is around $315,000. With a 20% down payment ($63,000), your monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would likely be in the $1,800 - $2,000 range. Starting from your net take-home of $5,806, that leaves you with ~$3,800 for all other expenses. It's a stretch but very manageable for a dual-income household or someone with a slightly higher-than-median salary. For a single earner at the median, it requires strict budgeting but is far more attainable than in most major metros.

Where the Jobs Are: Jacksonville's Major Employers

Jacksonville's economy is a powerhouse, and it's not just about banking anymore. The "River City by the Sea" has a diverse and robust employer base.

1. Wells Fargo: The largest private employer in Jacksonville. Their massive downtown campus (and newer offices in St. Johns Town Center area) employs thousands in finance and accounting roles. They are consistently hiring for roles in corporate accounting, financial reporting, and internal audit. Hiring tends to be cyclical but steady.

2. CSX Corporation: A Class I railroad with its corporate headquarters in Jacksonville. This is a unique, stable source of high-quality accounting jobs, from cost accounting for rail operations to corporate financial planning and analysis. They value deep industry knowledge.

3. Fidelity National Financial (FNF): The nation's largest title insurance company, headquartered right in Jacksonville. They have a constant need for accountants in their corporate, claims, and investment divisions. It's a large, publicly traded company with the infrastructure to support career growth.

4. Mayo Clinic (Florida Campus): One of the premier medical centers in the Southeast, located in the Southside. They have a sizable, complex accounting operation for a large hospital system, including revenue cycle management, grant accounting, and financial reporting. The healthcare sector is a massive employer here.

5. Baptist Health (Jacksonville): The largest locally-owned healthcare system in the region. With multiple hospitals (Baptist Medical Center Downtown, Southside, Beaches, and Clay County), they offer numerous accounting positions. They are often aggressively expanding and building, creating a need for project accountants and financial analysts.

6. Florida Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida): Headquartered in Jacksonville, this is a major player in health insurance. Their corporate finance department is substantial, offering roles in auditing, financial systems, and regulatory reporting.

7. JPMorgan Chase & Co.: A major financial services employer with a significant campus in the Baymeadows area. They hire for a range of accounting and finance roles, often including specialized areas like fraud analysis and commercial banking accounting.

Hiring Trends: There's a strong demand for CPAs in Jacksonville, especially in public accounting and corporate controllership roles. The healthcare and logistics sectors are the fastest-growing, meaning accountants with experience in these industries are highly sought after. Remote work is more common post-pandemic, but hybrid models are the norm, with many companies requiring 2-3 days in the office.

Getting Licensed in FL

To practice as a CPA in Florida, you must be licensed by the Florida Board of Accountancy, which operates under the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).

Requirements:

1. Education: A bachelor's degree (120 semester hours) is the minimum to sit for the CPA exam, but you need 150 semester hours to get licensed. Your degree must include 30 hours of upper-level accounting courses and 24 hours of general business courses.
2. CPA Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam.
3. Experience: You need one year of work experience (1,800 hours) under the supervision of a licensed CPA. This can include industry, government, or public accounting. The experience must involve the use of accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills.
4. Ethics Exam: You must pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam for CPAs.

Costs & Timeline:

• CPA Exam Fees (to NASBA): ~$1,000 (varies by state, but budget $1,000 for application and exam fees).
• Florida License Application Fee: $150 (as of latest info).
• Timeline: If you're starting from scratch (with a bachelor's), it typically takes 1-2 years to complete the 150-hour requirement, then additional time to study for and pass the exam, followed by the experience year. For someone already with 150 hours, the process is typically 12-18 months (studying for exam + gaining experience).

Insider Tip: Many large local employers (like Wells Fargo, FNF) offer tuition assistance or CPA exam reimbursement programs. It's a key question to ask during your job search.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Where you live in Jacksonville is about balancing commute, lifestyle, and budget. The city is vast, so choosing the right area is critical.

1. Southside / St. Johns Town Center: This is the epicenter of corporate Jacksonville. It's home to Wells Fargo's newer offices, many medical clinics, and corporate HQs. The lifestyle is modern, walkable (in pockets), and full of shopping and dining. Commute to downtown is 20-30 minutes.

   • 1-BR Rent Estimate: $1,400 - $1,600/month

2. Downtown / Brooklyn / Riverside: The urban core is revitalizing. Brooklyn is trendy, with walkable streets and proximity to the St. Johns River. Riverside has historic charm and a vibrant arts scene. Best for those who want a shorter commute to downtown offices (like FNF or CSX) and a more "city" feel.

   • 1-BR Rent Estimate: $1,500 - $1,800/month (Brooklyn can be pricier)

3. San Marco: A beautiful, historic neighborhood south of downtown with a charming village feel. It's quieter, family-friendly, and has great parks. Commute to downtown is very short (10-15 mins), and it's a straight shot to the Southside corporate corridor via I-95.

   • 1-BR Rent Estimate: $1,300 - $1,500/month

4. St. Johns (County) - Nocatee or Durbin Park: If you're looking for a newer, master-planned community with top-rated schools, this is it. Nocatee is known for its parks and family-friendly vibe. Commute to the Southside or St. Johns Town Center is easy (15-20 mins), but downtown is a 30-45 minute drive. Rents are rising here but offer more space.

   • 1-BR Rent Estimate: $1,250 - $1,450/month

5. The Beaches (Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach): For a coastal lifestyle. Commuting to downtown or the Southside against traffic is possible (30-40 mins), but you'll pay a premium for proximity to the ocean. The vibe is relaxed, but it's still a serious professional community.

   • 1-BR Rent Estimate: $1,500 - $1,800/month

The Long Game: Career Growth

Specialty Premiums: In Jacksonville, you'll see salary premiums for:

• CPAs: A CPA can earn 10-20% more than a non-CPA with similar experience, especially in public accounting or corporate controller roles.
• Forensic Accounting: Specialized firms and internal audit departments at large corporations (like CSX) seek this niche skill.
• IT Audit & Systems Accounting: With the growth of fintech and large corporate IT, accountants who understand ERP systems (like SAP, Oracle) are in demand.
• Tax Specialization: Corporate tax and international tax (given Jacksonville's port and logistics) are lucrative niches.

Advancement Paths: A typical path is Staff Accountant → Senior Accountant → Accounting Manager/Controller. Many move from public accounting (local firms like Allen, Dye, & Brown or Caron & Blandin) to industry roles. Another path is through corporate finance at a large bank or manufacturer, leading to a CFO role at a mid-sized local company.

10-Year Outlook: The 4% growth rate is solid. Jacksonville's strategic location as a logistics and financial hub will continue to drive demand. Automation will handle more transactional work (AP/AR), making analytical, strategic, and advisory skills more valuable. The retirement of Baby Boomer accountants will create openings, but expect competition for those senior roles. Staying current with technology (data analytics, AI in finance) is not optional for long-term career health.

The Verdict: Is Jacksonville Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Cost of Living Ratio: Your $85,873 median salary goes much further here than in most metros.	Car-Centric City: Public transit is limited; a reliable car is a necessity.
Strong & Diverse Job Market: Stable demand across finance, healthcare, and logistics.	Sprawling Geography: Commutes can be long if you don't choose your neighborhood wisely.
No State Income Tax: Keeps more of your paycheck.	Limited "Big City" Vibe (for some): Downtown can feel quiet after hours; it's more of a "big town" than a bustling metropolis.
Outdoor Lifestyle: Beaches, rivers, parks, and a mild climate (with hot summers) offer great quality of life.	Public School Variability: School quality can vary greatly by district, a key factor for families.
Growing Tech & Startup Scene: Emerging opportunities beyond traditional accounting.	Hurricane Risk: Being on the Atlantic coast means seasonal preparedness is a must.

Final Recommendation: Jacksonville is an outstanding choice for accountants who value financial stability, career growth, and a high quality of life without the coastal price tag. It's ideal for those who are early to mid-career looking to buy a home, or senior professionals seeking a manageable lifestyle with strong professional opportunities. If you crave the constant buzz of a 24/7 city or don't want to drive, you might struggle. But for the pragmatic accountant looking to build a solid life and career, Jacksonville is a hidden gem.

FAQs

1. What’s the job market like for non-CPAs?
Very viable. While CPAs have an edge for senior and managerial roles, there's a deep need for staff accountants, bookkeepers, and financial analysts in Jacksonville's mid-sized businesses. Many of the major employers (hospitals, logistics firms) hire skilled accountants without a CPA for internal roles. You can build a great career; just know the ceiling may be lower than for CPAs.

2. Is remote work common for accountants in Jacksonville?
Yes, but not universal. The pandemic accelerated remote work, and many firms now offer hybrid schedules (2-3 days in the office). Fully remote roles exist, especially with companies that have a national footprint, but local employers often prefer some in-person collaboration, particularly for team integration and training. Always clarify the remote policy during interviews.

3. How do I network with local accountants?
The Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) is your best resource. They host monthly meetings, seminars, and social events. Also, attend industry-specific events hosted by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce or sector groups like JAXUSA Partnership. LinkedIn is powerful here; connect with professionals at target companies.

4. What’s the biggest challenge for new accountants in Jacksonville?
Getting oriented to the city's sprawl and finding the right professional community. The job market is robust, but it's not as dense as in Miami or NYC. It requires proactive networking. Also, the summer humidity and hurricane season are real adjustments if you're moving from a drier or less storm-prone area.

5. How does the cost of living index (99.2) translate to daily life?
Being just under the US average (100) means your expenses are roughly on par with the national norm, but rent is a key driver. If you can secure housing near or below the $1,354/month average, your other costs (groceries, utilities, transportation) will feel very reasonable. The biggest savings come from the lack of state income tax and more affordable home prices compared to other coastal cities.

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Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), Zillow Rental Data, Realtor.com, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, and local market analysis.