Accountant in Lee's Summit, MO

The Salary Picture: Where Lee's Summit Stands

As a local, I can tell you that accounting salaries in Lee's Summit are solidly middle-of-the-road for the profession, but the cost of living is what makes them feel stronger. You're not getting the premium pay of a major financial hub like Chicago or New York, but you're also not dealing with their astronomical costs. The median salary for an accountant here sits at $84,349/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $40.55/hour. Compared to the national average of $86,080/year, we're slightly below, but the gap is narrow enough to be negligible when you factor in our lower expenses. There are approximately 208 accounting jobs in the metro area, and the 10-year job growth projection is 4%—steady, if not explosive.

To give you a clearer picture of how experience translates to pay in our local market, here’s a breakdown. This is based on aggregated data from local job postings and insights from recruiters I’ve spoken with at firms like CBIZ and Moss Adams.

Experience Level	Typical Local Salary Range	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$55,000 - $68,000	Bookkeeping, AP/AR, data entry, basic tax prep. Often staff accountant roles at smaller firms or corporate departments.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$70,000 - $89,000	Managing client accounts, complex tax returns, financial reporting, supervising junior staff. The median and your target range.
Senior (8-12 yrs)	$90,000 - $115,000	Senior accountant, tax manager, or controller roles. Handling high-value clients, strategic planning, and complex compliance.
Expert/Manager (12+ yrs)	$115,000 - $140,000+	Partner-track in a firm, corporate controller, CFO. High-level advisory, business development, and department leadership.

Insider Tip: The $84,349 median is heavily influenced by the number of mid-level corporate and public accounting roles in the area. While a new CPA at a Big 4 firm in Kansas City might start higher, the lower cost of living and shorter commute to Lee's Summit often make the net take-home pay remarkably competitive.

When we compare to other Missouri cities, Lee's Summit is a smart play. St. Louis and Kansas City metros have higher median salaries (closer to $88,000-$92,000), but their cost of living indices are also higher, pushing into the 95-100 range. Columbia (home to Mizzou) has a similar cost of living but typically lower accounting salaries. Springfield's market is smaller, with both lower pay and lower costs. Lee's Summit hits a sweet spot: it's a large, stable suburb with access to Kansas City's job market without KC's urban premiums.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about the numbers. A median salary of $84,349 sounds good on paper, but what's left after Uncle Sam and the landlord? Here’s a practical monthly budget breakdown for an accountant earning right at the median.

Monthly Take-Home (Est.): After federal, state (MO has a progressive income tax), and FICA taxes, your monthly take-home pay is approximately $5,100 - $5,250. (This is a conservative estimate; your actual amount depends on filing status and deductions).

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Rent (1BR, City Average): $886
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): $250
• Groceries & Household: $400
• Transportation (Car Payment, Insurance, Gas, Maintenance): $450 (Lee's Summit is car-dependent)
• Health Insurance (Employer Contribution Varies): $200 (Employee portion)
• Retirement Savings (10% of gross): $700 (401k contribution)
• Entertainment & Discretionary: $500
• Miscellaneous (Phone, etc.): $200
• Total: $3,586

This leaves a healthy buffer of over $1,500 per month for debt repayment, additional savings, or a higher-quality lifestyle. This is where the value proposition shines. You can live comfortably, save aggressively, and still have fun.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?
Absolutely. The median home price in Lee's Summit is approximately $350,000. With a 20% down payment ($70,000), a 30-year mortgage at current rates (~7%) would have a monthly payment (PITI) of around $2,200. Given your take-home pay, this is feasible, especially if you're a dual-income household. Many accountants here are homeowners, often buying in their early-to-mid 30s. The lower property taxes compared to coastal states also help.

Where the Jobs Are: Lee's Summit's Major Employers

Lee's Summit's job market is a blend of local corporate offices, regional public accounting firms, and healthcare—a major employer in the metro. You won't find the sheer volume of a downtown KC, but the quality and stability of employers are high.

1. Cerner (Oracle Health): While its headquarters are in Kansas City, Cerner has a significant presence in the Lee's Summit area, particularly in the OneKC Innovation District and surrounding office parks. They hire accounting professionals for corporate finance, revenue cycle, and internal audit. Hiring trends are stable post-Oracle acquisition, with a focus on process optimization.
2. Saint Luke's Health System: Their Saint Luke's East Hospital is a major anchor in Lee's Summit. This creates a steady demand for healthcare accountants, billing specialists, and financial analysts who understand the complexities of hospital revenue cycles and compliance.
3. Commerce Bank: A regional powerhouse with a strong operational center in the Kansas City metro. Their Lee's Summit branches and nearby offices hire accountants for commercial lending analysis, internal audit, and branch financial management. They value local knowledge and community ties.
4. Moss Adams (Kansas City Office): One of the top regional public accounting firms. While their main office is in KC, many partners and staff live in Johnson County and Lee's Summit. They have a robust practice serving local businesses, manufacturers, and healthcare clients. They are a top destination for ambitious CPAs seeking a mix of public accounting and a quality suburban life.
5. Lee's Summit School District R-7: A large, well-funded school district is a consistent employer of financial staff, including accountants, payroll specialists, and grant managers. These roles offer excellent benefits and job security, though salaries may be slightly below the corporate median.
6. Local & Regional Manufacturing: Lee's Summit is part of the Kansas City metro's "Manufacturing Belt." Companies like Mitsubishi Electric (in nearby Independence) and various industrial suppliers have offices or facilities that hire internal accountants for cost accounting, inventory management, and financial reporting.
7. Local Public Accounting Firms: Several reputable local and regional firms (like Grund & Morrison, K·Coe Isom) have offices in the area, serving the vast network of small-to-midsize businesses that form the backbone of Lee's Summit's economy. These are fantastic entry points for new CPAs.

Hiring Trend Insight: Post-pandemic, there's a noticeable shift toward hybrid work models. Many corporate roles based in Lee's Summit or KC now offer 2-3 days remote, making the commute (or lack thereof) even more attractive. Public accounting, however, remains largely in-office, especially for audit and client-facing roles.

Getting Licensed in MO

If you're not already a CPA, Missouri's process is straightforward but requires dedication. The Missouri State Board of Accountancy oversees licensing.

• Education: You need 150 semester hours of college credit, including a bachelor's degree and 30 hours of upper-level accounting courses. This is standard. Many local universities like the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) or Park University offer flexible programs to meet these requirements.
• The Exam (CPA): Pass the Uniform CPA Exam (4 parts). You can schedule exams at the Kansas City, MO Prometric center, which is easily accessible from Lee's Summit.
• Experience: You need 2,000 hours of qualifying experience under a licensed CPA. This can be a mix of public accounting, industry, government, or academia. The experience must be verified and documented.
• Ethics Exam: Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.
• Costs: Expect to spend roughly $2,000 - $3,000 total for exam fees, review courses (Becker, Roger, etc.), and the ethics exam. Application fees to the Board are around $150.
• Timeline: From starting your education to full licensure can take 5-7 years. If you already have the 150 hours, you can sit for the exam (12-18 months) and then complete the experience requirement (1-2 years). The total timeline from start to license is typically 2-3 years for exam and experience.

Insider Tip: The Kansas City metro has a strong accounting community. Joining the MO Society of CPAs (MSCPA) early can provide mentorship, which is invaluable for navigating the experience requirement and finding a supervisor to sign off on your hours.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Lee's Summit is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own vibe and commute profile. Here’s a local’s guide to where accountants tend to settle.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Typical Rent (1BR)	Best For...
Historic Downtown	Walkable, charming, close to restaurants and the lake. Short drive to I-470/I-70 for KC commutes.	$1,100 - $1,300	Young professionals who want a small-town feel with urban access.
The Vineyards / Stonegate	Established, family-oriented, excellent schools. Quieter, more suburban. 20-25 min drive to downtown KC.	$1,000 - $1,200	Accountants with families or those seeking a stable, quiet community.
West Lee's Summit	Newer developments, modern amenities, easy highway access (I-470). More car-centric but highly convenient.	$950 - $1,100	Those who prioritize a short commute to KC corporate offices or the airport.
Lakewood / Longview	Centered around the large, man-made Lake Lakewood and Longview Lake. Scenic, peaceful, with longer commutes.	$900 - $1,100	Accountants who want a nature-focused lifestyle without leaving the city.
Greenwood	Technically a separate city but part of the Lee's Summit school district. More affordable, with a growing downtown.	$800 - $950	Those looking for a starter home or a more budget-friendly rental with good schools.

Insider Tip: For a new transplant, renting in Historic Downtown or West Lee's Summit first is a smart move. It gives you a feel for the city and a flexible base to explore before buying. The commute to downtown KC is surprisingly manageable via I-470, often 20-30 minutes against the grain of traffic.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Lee's Summit is not a "get rich quick" market for accountants, but it's an excellent place for building a stable, well-compensated career with a great work-life balance. The 10-year job growth of 4% reflects a mature, stable market. Don't expect a boom; expect consistency.

• Specialty Premiums: To exceed the median, you'll need to specialize. CFO, Controller, or Senior Tax Manager roles can push you to the $115,000+ bracket. Expertise in manufacturing cost accounting or healthcare revenue cycle is particularly valuable given the local employer mix. IT audit and cybersecurity (CISA) are emerging high-demand niches as companies like Cerner and regional banks invest heavily in data security.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is Staff Accountant > Senior > Manager > Controller/CFO. In public accounting, it's Staff > Senior > Manager > Partner/Principal. The key here is that the market is small enough that relationships and reputation matter immensely. Moving up often involves lateral moves between the 3-4 major employers or the top-tier public accounting firms.
• 10-Year Outlook: The profession will be shaped by automation and AI. Basic bookkeeping and data entry are at risk. The value will shift to analysis, advisory, and strategic planning. Accountants who embrace tech tools (like advanced data analytics in Excel, SQL, or BI software) will be indispensable. The local market will likely see slow, steady growth tied to the health of the regional manufacturing and healthcare sectors.

The Verdict: Is Lee's Summit Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Excellent Cost of Living: Your $84,349 salary goes much further here than in major metros.	Limited "Big City" Scene: If you crave a 24/7 urban nightlife, this is a suburb. You'll drive to KC for major concerts or sporting events.
Stable, Diverse Job Market: Strong healthcare, banking, and manufacturing base. Low unemployment.	Slower Salary Growth: Top-end salaries are capped compared to coastal cities. You won't hit $200k+ easily.
Strong Schools & Family Life: R-7 school district is a major draw. Safe, community-oriented.	Car Dependency: Public transit is limited. You'll need a reliable car and will drive for most errands.
Access to Kansas City: 30-minute drive to downtown KC gives you access to Big 4 firms, major sports, and airport without the KC price tag.	Professional Network Limited: The accounting community is tight-knit. Breaking in as an outsider requires active networking.
Great Work-Life Balance: The "busy season" culture is less intense than in major financial centers.	Weather: Hot, humid summers and occasional ice in winter. It's a classic Midwest climate.

Final Recommendation: Lee's Summit is an ideal choice for accountants who value stability, affordability, and quality of life over chasing the absolute highest salary. It's perfect for those planning to raise a family, buy a home early, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. If your goal is to become a partner at a Big 4 firm or work in high-stakes investment banking, look to New York or Chicago. But for a fulfilling, well-compensated career with a strong community feel, Lee's Summit is a hidden gem in the Midwest.

FAQs

1. Is it hard to find an accounting job in Lee's Summit without local experience?
It's not hard, but it requires a proactive approach. The market isn't flooded with applicants like larger cities. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills, and leverage online job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn) with a "Lee's Summit, MO" filter. Mentioning a desire to relocate for the community and schools can be a plus in cover letters. Networking via the MSCPA is your best bet.

2. How does the commute to Kansas City affect job prospects?
For many roles in the KC metro, living in Lee's Summit is considered a reasonable commute. The drive via I-470/I-70 is predictable, though rush hour can add 10-15 minutes. Many employers in downtown or the Plaza are now offering hybrid schedules, making the commute even more manageable. It significantly expands your job pool without sacrificing your home base.

3. Are there opportunities for remote accounting work based in Lee's Summit?
Yes, but they're more likely to be with employers headquartered elsewhere. A local company might offer hybrid, but a fully remote role with a firm in Chicago or Denver is a real possibility. This is becoming more common, especially in corporate accounting and advisory services. Check job postings for "remote" or "virtual" filters.

4. What's the best way to get involved in the local accounting community?
Join the Missouri Society of CPAs (MSCPA)—the St. Louis and Kansas City chapters are both active. Attend their monthly meetings and annual conferences. Also, look for alumni groups from the University of Missouri system or local business groups. The community is welcoming, and personal referrals are powerful.

5. Do I need a CPA to be successful in Lee's Summit?
While a CPA is highly valued and often required for senior and public accounting roles, you can have a successful career as a non-CPA accountant here. Many industry roles (staff, senior, and even some controller positions) in manufacturing, healthcare, and government don't require a CPA. However, earning your CPA will maximize your earning potential and job security, especially if you aim for a manager or partner track.