Accountant in Laconia, NH

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Accountants considering a move to Laconia, New Hampshire.

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The Salary Picture: Where Laconia Stands

Let’s cut right to the numbers. Accountants in Laconia, NH, are earning a median salary of $88,404/year, which breaks down to an impressive hourly rate of $42.5/hour. This figure sits slightly above the National Average for accountants and auditors, which is $86,080/year. For a mid-sized city with a population of just 16,982, that’s a solid, competitive wage. It signals that the local market values financial expertise, likely driven by a mix of small business needs, manufacturing oversight, and the administrative requirements of healthcare systems.

The job market is tight but steady. There are approximately 33 accountant jobs listed in the metro area at any given time. This isn't a sprawling metropolis like Manchester or Concord, so you won't see hundreds of openings. Instead, it's a "quality over quantity" market where specialized skills and local networking can make you a top candidate. The 10-year job growth for the profession is projected at 4%—slower than the national average, which reflects the stable, mature nature of the Laconia economy rather than a booming boomtown.

Here’s how salary typically breaks down by experience level in this region:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes for Laconia
Entry-Level	$60,000 - $70,000	Often at local CPA firms or as a staff accountant in a larger local business.
Mid-Level (5-8 yrs)	$80,000 - $95,000	This is near the median. Specialization (tax, cost accounting) boosts pay.
Senior-Level	$100,000 - $120,000	Typically roles like Controller or Senior Manager at a regional firm.
Expert/Partner	$130,000+	Rare locally; usually requires ownership stake in a local firm or a high-level corporate role.

How does this compare to other NH cities?
Laconia’s median of $88,404 is competitive with its peers. It’s higher than smaller, more rural hubs like Berlin but trails behind the larger, more diverse economies of Manchester (where salaries often breach $95k) and Nashua. However, when you factor in Laconia’s significantly lower cost of living compared to those southern NH cities, the purchasing power is very comparable, if not better. You’re earning a nearly top-tier salary in a community where your dollar goes further.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $88,404 salary sounds great, but let’s get real about what it means for your monthly budget. New Hampshire has no state income tax or sales tax, a massive financial advantage. However, property taxes are among the highest in the nation. Here’s a realistic monthly breakdown for an accountant earning the median salary.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Gross: $7,367)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Federal Taxes (Est.)	~$1,050	Includes federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
Health Insurance	$400 - $600	Varies by employer; many local firms offer solid plans.
Retirement (401k)	$450	Recommended 6-7% contribution.
Rent (1BR Average)	$1,471	The city's average for a one-bedroom.
Utilities (Heat, Elec, Internet)	$250	Laconia winters mean higher heating costs.
Car/Transportation	$400	Includes payment, insurance, gas.
Groceries & Essentials	$500
Discretionary/Entertainment	$400	Dining, hobbies, etc.
Total Estimated Outflow	~$5,021
Monthly Savings/Buffer	~$2,346

This leaves a healthy cushion of over $2,300 per month for aggressive debt repayment, investments, or building a down payment.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Absolutely, but timing and strategy matter. The median home price in Laconia is approximately $400,000. With a 20% down payment ($80,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would have a monthly payment of roughly $2,130. Adding property taxes (which can be $700-$1,000/month depending on the town) and insurance, you're looking at a total housing payment of around $3,000-$3,300. While this is higher than the average rent, it's manageable on the median accountant's salary, especially if you have two incomes. The key is saving for that down payment. The consistent savings from the budget above make it a realistic goal within 3-5 years.

Where the Jobs Are: Laconia's Major Employers

Laconia’s economy is anchored by healthcare, manufacturing, and education. For accountants, this translates into roles in corporate finance, non-profit administration, and family-owned manufacturing firms. Don't expect to find a Fortune 500 headquarters here; the opportunities are in stable, community-focused organizations.

1. Lakes Region General Hospital (LRGH): Part of the Dartmouth Health system, this is one of the largest employers. Accountants here handle everything from patient billing and budgeting for clinical departments to grant management for community health programs. Hiring is steady, especially for those with healthcare finance experience (knowledge of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement is a huge plus).
2. Belmont Mill Company / Local Manufacturing: The Laconia area has a strong legacy of manufacturing (from textiles to aerospace components). Companies like Belmont Mill or smaller precision machine shops need cost accountants and internal auditors to manage inventory, oversee production costs, and ensure profitability. These roles are often less advertised but can be found through local networking.
3. Laconia School District: As a major public employer, the district requires accountants for payroll, budgeting, and state/federal grant compliance. These positions offer excellent benefits and pensions, a key consideration for long-term financial planning.
4. Local CPA Firms (e.g., HLM, Woodman & Laskowski): Laconia has several established CPA firms that serve the local small business community. Starting your career here is a fantastic way to get broad exposure to tax, audit, and consulting work. Partners often have deep ties to the community, and staying with a firm long-term can lead to ownership opportunities.
5. NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA): While the main office is in Concord, Laconia has a regional presence. State government roles in tax auditing or compliance offer stability, great benefits, and a defined career path.
6. Retail & Hospitality Chains: Major retailers (e.g., Walmart, Market Basket) and hotel chains (like the Margate on the lake) have local management and accounting needs for their stores and properties.

Hiring Trends: The local market is not driven by rapid growth but by turnover and retirement. The 4% growth projections mean opportunities arise as seasoned professionals retire. This makes prior experience and a local network critical. Many jobs are filled through referrals before they're ever posted on Indeed.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire’s requirements are straightforward but demand attention to detail. The state is part of the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) model, making licensure portable.

Requirements for CPA Licensure:

1. Education: 150 semester hours of college credit, with a bachelor’s degree and specific coursework in accounting and business. You must have at least 30 semester hours in upper-level accounting courses.
2. Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG). You can sit for the exam with 120 hours, but you need the full 150 to be licensed.
3. 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.
4. Ethics Exam: Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Exam Fees: Approximately $1,000 - $1,500 (varies by state/jurisdiction).
• Review Course: $1,500 - $3,000 (essential investment, e.g., Becker, Roger).
• Licensing & Fees: ~$300 for initial application and fingerprinting.
• Timeline: The process typically takes 18-24 months from starting your education review to becoming fully licensed. If you already have your 150 hours, you can fast-track the exam and experience portion in about a year.

Insider Tip: The New Hampshire Board of Accountancy is efficient but can have backlogs during peak application times (spring/early summer). Submit your experience verification promptly. Also, NH has a "substantial equivalency" provision, so if you're already licensed in another UCC state, reciprocity is relatively smooth.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Laconia is a small city with distinct neighborhoods, each offering a different lifestyle. Your choice will depend on your commute, budget, and whether you want a walkable urban feel or a quiet lakeside retreat.

1. Downtown Laconia: The heart of the city. You'll be close to the best restaurants, the Colonial Theatre, and the main commercial streets. Commuting to any major local employer is a breeze—often a 5-10 minute drive or a pleasant walk.

   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,400 - $1,600/month
   • Best For: Young professionals who want an active social life without the hassle of a long commute.

2. The Weirs: Located on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, this area is tourist-heavy in the summer but offers a unique, waterfront lifestyle. It’s more residential and can be quieter in the off-season.

   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,500 - $1,800/month (premium for lake views)
   • Best For: Accountants who value outdoor recreation (boating, walking the boardwalk) and don’t mind a 10-minute commute to downtown.

3. Gilford (Just North): Technically a separate town, but part of the Greater Laconia metro. It’s more suburban, with excellent schools and larger single-family homes. The commute to Laconia’s main employers is minimal (10-15 minutes).

   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,600 - $1,900/month (slightly higher due to school district)
   • Best For: Those planning to buy a home soon or who prefer a quieter, family-oriented setting.

4. Meredith (Just North): A 15-minute drive from Laconia, Meredith is a larger, more bustling town with a classic New England feel. It has a stronger retail and tourism base. The commute is easy via I-93.

   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,700 - $2,000/month
   • Best For: Accountants who want a slightly larger town vibe with more dining and shopping options, and don't mind a short highway commute.

5. South End / Lakeport: This is a more working-class, residential area with a mix of older homes and apartments. It offers more affordable rents and is still only a 5-10 minute drive to downtown Laconia.

   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,200 - $1,400/month
   • Best For: Budget-conscious professionals or those looking to maximize savings for a down payment.

The Long Game: Career Growth

While Laconia isn't a hotbed of rapid corporate advancement, it offers a stable, rewarding long-term path for accountants who value work-life balance over a cutthroat corporate ladder.

Specialty Premiums:

• Cost/Managerial Accountant: In demand at local manufacturers. Can command a 10-15% premium over a generalist role.
• Tax Specialist (CPA): Always needed. A CPA credential is the single biggest salary booster.
• Government/Grant Accounting: Experience with state or federal grants (common for hospitals and schools) is a niche skill that increases your value to non-profits.

Advancement Paths:
The most common path is moving from a staff accountant at a local firm or business to a Controller or Finance Director role. The next step, CFO, is rare in Laconia itself but possible at the regional hospital or a large family-owned business. Many accountants also leverage their local experience to move into a regional role (covering NH and VT, for example) for a larger corporation based outside the area, but working remotely or with infrequent travel.

10-Year Outlook:
The 4% job growth means stability, not explosion. The outlook is positive for those with a CPA license and specialized skills. Retirements will create openings. The biggest growth area will likely be in remote/hybrid work, allowing Laconia-based accountants to access higher-paying positions from Boston or southern NH firms while enjoying the Lakes Region lifestyle and lower cost of living. The rise of small business consulting and virtual CFO services also offers an entrepreneurial path for experienced accountants.

The Verdict: Is Laconia Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High Purchasing Power: A median salary of $88,404 with no state income tax stretches far.	Limited Job Market: Only ~33 jobs listed; networking is essential.
Work-Life Balance: The culture here prioritizes life outside work. Commutes are short.	Slower Career Growth: The 4% growth is steady, not dynamic.
Outdoor Recreation: Unbeatable access to Lake Winnipesaukee, hiking, and skiing.	High Property Taxes: A major ongoing expense to factor into homeownership.
Tight-Knit Community: Easy to build a professional and personal network.	Harsh Winters: Long, cold, and snowy winters aren't for everyone.
Stable Employers: Anchored by healthcare, education, and local industry.	Limited Diversity in Roles: Fewer Fortune 500-style corporate finance positions.

Final Recommendation:
Laconia is an excellent choice for accountants who are at the mid-career stage (5-15 years of experience), value stability over constant change, and prioritize quality of life. It's ideal for those who love the outdoors, want to own a home in a beautiful setting, and appreciate a community where you know your neighbors. It's not the best fit for a fresh graduate seeking the fast-paced, high-energy environment of a major financial hub or someone whose primary goal is to climb the corporate ladder at a global firm as quickly as possible.

If you're a self-starter who can build your own network, Laconia offers a rare combination: a competitive accountant's salary paired with the lifestyle of a lakeside vacation town.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the job market for entry-level accountants in Laconia?
A: It's moderately competitive. There are fewer entry-level openings than in larger cities, but the local talent pool is also smaller. Having a degree, even without the CPA yet, and any internship experience will make you a strong candidate. Be prepared to apply to roles in neighboring towns like Meredith or Gilford as well.

Q: Is the CPA license required for a good career in Laconia?
A: It's not strictly required for all roles (especially in industry or government at entry/mid-levels), but it is the single most important credential for maximizing your salary and promotion potential. Most senior, controller, and partner-level roles will require a CPA. The investment in the license pays off significantly in this market.

Q: What’s the commute like from Laconia to Concord or Manchester?
A: It's not a daily reality for most, but if you're considering a hybrid role, it's manageable. Laconia to Concord is about a 45-minute drive on I-93. To Manchester, it's about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. This is a common commute for those seeking higher salaries but wanting to live in the Lakes Region, but it's not ideal for a daily grind.

Q: Are there opportunities for remote work with Laconia-based accountants?
A: Yes, this is a growing trend. Many local CPA firms now offer hybrid schedules. Furthermore, with your local experience, you can be a strong candidate for remote positions with firms based in southern NH or Boston, leveraging the cost-of-living difference. The key is building a reputation for reliability and strong technical skills.

Q: How do I network in a small city like Laconia?
A: It's all about showing up. Join the NH Society of CPAs and attend their local chapter events (often held in the Lakes Region). Get involved with the Laconia Chamber of Commerce. Volunteer for a local non-profit's finance committee. In a community this size, your reputation is your resume. A strong local reference from a trusted business owner or manager is worth more than a dozen cold applications.