Accountant in Lafayette, LA

As a career analyst who’s spent years watching Lafayette’s job market from the inside, I can tell you this: if you’re an accountant looking for a place where your skills are valued, your paycheck goes far, and your weekends are spent fishing on the Atchafalaya or exploring the vibrant downtown, you’ve come to the right place. Lafayette isn’t just another dot on the map; it’s the heart of Acadiana, a city with a fierce work ethic, a thriving energy and healthcare sector, and a cost of living that makes it one of the most affordable metros in the South.

This guide is for you—the accountant crunching numbers, weighing offers, and trying to figure out if a move to Lafayette makes financial and professional sense. We’re going beyond the glossy brochures. We’ll dig into real salary data, break down your take-home pay after Louisiana’s tax bite, map out the major employers, and give you the inside track on neighborhoods and career growth. Let’s get to work.

The Salary Picture: Where Lafayette Stands

The first question everyone asks: "How much will I make?" Let's cut through the national noise and look at Lafayette's specific market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local market analysis, the landscape is competitive but reflective of the city's cost of living.

Here’s the breakdown. The median salary for an Accountant in Lafayette is $82,722 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $39.77. This is slightly below the national average of $86,080, but don't let that number fool you. The real story is in the cost of living, which we'll tackle next. When you adjust for Lafayette's affordability, this salary often provides a higher quality of life than a six-figure income in cities like New York or San Francisco.

To give you a clearer picture of where you might fit in, here’s an experience-level breakdown:

Experience Level	Typical Yearly Salary Range (Lafayette)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$55,000 - $68,000	Bookkeeping, basic financial reporting, assisting with audits, AP/AR functions.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$70,000 - $95,000	Complex financial statement preparation, tax preparation, internal controls, managing junior staff.
Senior-Level (8-15 yrs)	$95,000 - $125,000+	Senior tax strategy, audit management, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), controller duties.
Expert/CPA (15+ yrs)	$120,000 - $180,000+	Partner-track in a firm, CFO/Controller roles, specialized consulting (energy, healthcare).

How does this compare to other Louisiana cities? Lafayette holds its own. It sits comfortably above Shreveport and Monroe in terms of salary for accountants, though it trails the state capital, Baton Rouge, and especially New Orleans, where larger corporate headquarters and a bigger port economy drive higher wages. However, the gap is often offset by Lafayette's lower cost of living and a less frenetic pace of life. The metro area has 242 accountant jobs currently listed, with a 10-year job growth forecast of 4%. This isn't explosive growth, but it's stable, steady, and consistent with a mature market.

Insider Tip: The premium is in specialization. Accountants with a CPA license, experience in the energy sector (a Lafayette staple), or expertise in healthcare finance (given our major hospital systems) can command salaries at the higher end of these ranges, often surpassing the national average when factoring in local bonuses and lower living costs.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary number is just that—a number. The real question is what ends up in your bank account after Louisiana’s taxes and your monthly expenses.

Louisiana has a progressive income tax system, with rates ranging from 1.85% to 4.25%. For an individual earning the median salary of $82,722, after federal and state taxes (assuming a standard deduction, single filer, no dependents), your estimated take-home pay would be roughly $62,000 - $65,000 annually, or about $5,160 - $5,400 per month.

Now, let’s layer in housing. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Lafayette is $921/month. This is a key differentiator. In many metro areas, rent alone can devour 40-50% of a take-home paycheck. In Lafayette, it’s closer to 18-20%.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for an accountant earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$5,250	Mid-range estimate after taxes.
Rent (1BR)	$921	City average. Could be lower or higher depending on neighborhood.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water)	$150 - $200	Hot, humid summers can run the AC bill up.
Groceries	$350 - $450	Comparable to national averages.
Car Payment/Insurance	$500 - $700	Essential in Lafayette; public transit is limited.
Health Insurance	$200 - $400	Highly variable by employer.
Discretionary (Food, Ent., Savings)	$2,200 - $2,600	This is the surplus.
Total Expenses	$4,321 - $4,871	Leaves a solid cushion.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With a take-home of over $5,000/month and a median rent of $921, the savings potential is significant. The median home price in Lafayette is around $275,000. A 20% down payment would be $55,000. With the significant surplus in the monthly budget, saving for that down payment is realistic within 2-4 years for a disciplined saver. This is a massive advantage for building long-term wealth compared to renting markets in cities like Austin or Atlanta.

Insider Tip: Don’t overlook the Louisiana Property Tax Credit for homeowners. It can help reduce your annual tax burden on a primary residence, making that mortgage payment even more manageable.

Where the Jobs Are: Lafayette's Major Employers

Lafayette's economy is a diverse mix, heavily anchored in energy, healthcare, and education. While it’s not a Fortune 500 HQ hub, it’s home to strong regional players and major institutional employers. Here are the key places accountants should be looking:

1. Lafayette General Health (now part of Ochsner Health): As one of the largest healthcare systems in the region, Ochsner Lafayette General requires a substantial finance department for billing, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis. They are consistently hiring for staff accountants, billing specialists, and financial analysts.
2. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center: Another major healthcare employer in Baton Rouge with a significant Lafayette presence. Their financial team is robust, focusing on everything from patient revenue cycle management to capital expenditure accounting.
3. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette): A major public university with over 19,000 students. The university’s business office, grants management, and departmental accounting offer stable government/non-profit accounting roles.
4. Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG): The city-parish government is a major employer. Accountants here work in budgeting, internal controls, and financial reporting for a $500M+ annual budget. Jobs are posted on the government's official portal and offer excellent benefits.
5. Energy & Industrial Sector: While not always publicly listed, firms like Crown Quest Drilling, EnLink Midstream, and the local offices of national service companies (e.g., Schlumberger, Halliburton) have significant finance and accounting needs. These roles often pay a premium, especially for those with experience in joint interest billing, cost accounting, or financial planning for capital-intensive projects.
6. Local and Regional CPA Firms: The backbone of the accounting community. Firms like Cox, Cox, Filo, Camel & Faham and Dubos, Ballou & Co., LLC offer paths to partnership, a wide variety of clients (from local restaurants to energy service companies), and a fast track to partnership if you have your CPA.
7. Retail & Corporate Headquarters: Lafayette is the headquarters for Rouses Markets (a major grocery chain) and SLB (formerly Schlumberger's digital solutions branch). Both have internal finance teams.

Hiring Trends: There’s a consistent demand for accountants with system implementation experience (e.g., converting from QuickBooks to NetSuite or SAP). Furthermore, the push for better data analytics in both the energy and healthcare sectors is creating new hybrid roles for accountants who are also proficient in data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI.

Getting Licensed in Louisiana

The Louisiana Board of Certified Public Accountants (LCPA) is the governing body. You cannot call yourself a CPA here without their approval.

State-Specific Requirements:

1. Education: A minimum of 150 semester hours of college credit, including a baccalaureate or higher degree with a concentration in accounting. The Board requires specific coursework in accounting and business.
2. Exam: Passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG).
3. Experience: One year (2,000 hours) of qualifying experience in accounting, auditing, or tax under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA. The experience can be in public accounting, industry, government, or academia.
4. Ethics Exam: A passing score on the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Exam for CPAs.

Costs and Timeline:

• Application Fee: $150
• Exam Fees: Approximately $1,000 - $1,200 (paid to NASBA/AICPA)
• Ethics Exam: ~$150
• Licensure Fee: $200 (initial), plus annual renewal fees.

Getting Started: If you’re already a CPA licensed in another state, Louisiana may reciprocate your license if you meet their specific criteria and have passed the CPA exam. Check the LCPA website for the "Reciprocity" section. The timeline varies, but a typical path for a new graduate: 1 year to complete the 150 hours, 6-12 months to study for and pass the exam, and 1 year of work experience leads to licensure.

Insider Tip: The LCPA board is known for being thorough but fair. Ensure your educational transcripts are meticulously reviewed before you apply for the exam to avoid delays. A common hurdle for out-of-state applicants is ensuring their coursework meets Louisiana's specific accounting/business hour requirements.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Where you live in Lafayette will define your commute and lifestyle. The city is laid out in a grid, and most major employers are accessible from several key areas.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Best For...
Freetown-McComb	Historic, tree-lined streets, close to UL Lafayette and downtown. A 10-15 minute commute to most offices.	$900 - $1,100	Young professionals, those who want walkability to cafes and the campus vibe.
Downtown/Parc Lafayette	The urban core. Walkable to restaurants, festivals, and the Evangeline Thruway. Commute to I-10 is quick.	$950 - $1,300	Professionals who want a vibrant nightlife and to be in the heart of the action.
Youngsville	A fast-growing suburb east of Lafayette. More modern apartment complexes and single-family homes.	$900 - $1,050	Those seeking newer construction, quieter community, and don't mind a 15-20 minute commute.
Carencro	North of Lafayette, closer to the I-49 corridor. Affordable, with a mix of older and new neighborhoods.	$800 - $950	Budget-conscious professionals, easy access to the I-49/I-10 interchange.
Lafayette's East Side (e.g., near Kaliste Saloom Rd)	Commercial hub with many restaurants and shops. Commutes are easy via the Ambassador Caffery Parkway.	$850 - $1,100	Those who want convenience, with major employers like Ochsner and retail center access.

Insider Tip: Traffic in Lafayette is generally manageable, but the bottlenecks at the I-10/I-49 interchange and Ambassador Caffery Parkway can add 10-15 minutes during peak times (7:30-9 AM, 4:30-6 PM). When apartment hunting, test your commute at your actual work hours.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Lafayette, the "long game" for an accountant often revolves around specialization and leadership within the local market.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • CPA Certification: Non-negotiable for senior roles. It’s the single biggest salary booster.
  • Energy/Industrial Accounting: Experience with cost accounting, joint ventures, and SEC reporting for oil & gas companies can add a 10-15% premium to your salary.
  • Healthcare Revenue Cycle: Expertise in medical billing compliance, HIPAA regulations, and managing large payer contracts is in high demand at our major hospital systems.
  • Forensic Accounting: While niche, there’s a small but growing need, often tied to insurance firms or legal cases in the region.

• Advancement Paths:

  • Public Accounting: The classic path: Staff Accountant -> Senior -> Manager -> Controller/Partner. It’s a grind, but partnership in a local firm can be very lucrative and offer a strong community standing.
  • Industry/Corporate: Staff Accountant -> Senior Accountant -> Accounting Manager -> Controller -> CFO. The path to Controller is solid in Lafayette; the jump to CFO often requires experience at a larger firm or a move to a corporate HQ elsewhere, but it's possible locally with major employers.
  • Government/Non-Profit: Offers stability and excellent benefits. Growth is slower but can lead to Director of Finance or CFO roles within large institutions like UL or the city-parish.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 4% job growth indicates a stable, not explosive, market. The future demand will be for accountants who are tech-savvy (automation, data analytics) and those who can navigate the complexities of the local economy—healthcare reform, energy transition, and public sector budgeting. Building a network through the local Society of CPAs chapter is crucial for long-term opportunities.

The Verdict: Is Lafayette Right for You?

Making a move is a huge decision. Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons from a local perspective.

Pros (The Upside)	Cons (The Considerations)
Cost of Living: Your salary stretches far. Homeownership is within reach.	Economic Sectors: Heavily reliant on energy and healthcare; can be volatile.
Quality of Life: Friendly people, incredible food, rich culture, outdoor activities.	Limited Corporate Headquarters: Fewer "Fortune 500" corporate roles compared to major metros.
Stable Job Market: Consistent demand from stable employers (hospitals, university, gov't).	Hurricane Risk: Located in a hurricane-prone region; insurance costs can be high.
Career Growth: Clear paths to leadership in public accounting and local industry.	Public Transit: Very limited; a car is an absolute necessity.
Strong Community: Easy to network and build a professional reputation.	Social Scene: Can feel small; limited options for high-end dining or niche entertainment.

Final Recommendation:

Lafayette is an excellent choice for accountants who prioritize affordability, work-life balance, and a strong sense of community. It’s perfect for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, start a family, or escape the grind of a larger city. It’s a fantastic market for those with a CPA and a specialty in energy or healthcare.

It may be less ideal for those whose career ambition is exclusively tied to a high-profile, fast-lane corporate ladder at a massive multinational, or for those who crave the anonymity and endless cultural options of a megacity.

If you value stability, a lower financial barrier to entry, and a lifestyle where you can be a big fish in a welcoming pond, Lafayette, Louisiana, deserves a very serious look.

FAQs

1. I'm not from Louisiana. How do I get my CPA license reciprocated?
Louisiana has reciprocity with most other states. You must apply directly to the LCPA, provide official transcripts, proof of passing the CPA exam in another jurisdiction, and show verification of your work experience. There is a specific application form for out-of-state licensees. Start the process with the LCPA website as your primary resource.

2. Is an accounting degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette respected locally?
Absolutely. UL Lafayette’s B.I. Moody III College of Business is well-regarded in the region. A degree from there gives you a significant local network advantage. Many of the top accountants and CFOs in the area are UL alumni.

3. What’s the biggest culture shock for accountants moving from the Northeast or West Coast?
The pace. Business moves a bit slower here, rooted in relationship-building. Meetings might start with a few minutes of personal chat about family or last weekend’s football game. Also, the work culture is less formal—ties are often optional, and "business casual" is truly casual.

**4. Are there many remote/hybrid accounting jobs in