Accountant in Manchester, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Manchester Stands

As a local, I’ve watched the accounting scene in Manchester evolve from a hub of old textile money to a more diversified professional services market. The numbers tell a clear story: Accountants in Manchester do slightly better than the national average, but the real value depends on your experience level and specialty.

First, let’s ground ourselves in the core data. The median salary for an Accountant in Manchester is $87,397/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.02/hour. This sits just above the national average of $86,080/year. The demand is steady but not explosive, with approximately 230 accounting jobs in the metro area and a 10-year job growth forecast of 4%. This isn't the booming tech market, but it’s stable, predictable, and offers a solid foundation for a career.

When you break down salaries by experience level, the progression in Manchester follows a predictable, logical curve. Here’s how it typically looks for a CPA-track accountant, based on local job postings and BLS data for the region:

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Manchester Salary Range (Annual)	Primary Responsibilities
Entry-Level	0-2	$55,000 - $70,000	Bookkeeping, data entry, assisting with audits, preparing basic tax returns.
Mid-Level	3-7	$75,000 - $95,000	Managing client accounts, preparing complex tax returns, conducting internal reviews, supervising junior staff.
Senior Level	8-15	$95,000 - $120,000+	Leading audit engagements, tax strategy planning, managing key client relationships, training staff.
Expert/Partner	15+	$120,000 - $150,000+	Firm management, business development, high-level consulting, complex financial advisory services.

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-level to senior is where you see the most significant salary bump in Manchester. It’s often tied to obtaining your CPA license and taking on a "lead" role on engagements, even within smaller firms. The $87,397 median is firmly in the mid-to-senior range, suggesting that if you’re already experienced and licensed, you’re right in the sweet spot.

How Manchester Compares to Other NH Cities:

• Nashua: Often pays slightly less, with a median around $84,000, but has a lower cost of living. Good for those seeking a more suburban lifestyle.
• Portsmouth: Higher cost of living, and salaries reflect that, often $90,000+ for similar roles, but the job market is much smaller and dominated by seasonal/tourism-related businesses.
• Concord: The state capital, with strong government and non-profit opportunities. Salaries are comparable to Manchester, around $86,000-$88,000.

Manchester offers the best balance of salary, cost of living, and job variety in southern New Hampshire.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be real about the numbers. A $87,397 salary sounds good, but in New Hampshire, you need to do the math. The state has no income or sales tax, which is a huge advantage, but property taxes are among the highest in the nation.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a single accountant earning the median salary, living in a one-bedroom apartment in Manchester.

Monthly Expense	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$7,283	($87,397 / 12)
Federal Taxes & FICA	~$1,350	Approx. 18.5% effective federal tax rate + 7.65% FICA. Varies with deductions.
Net Monthly Income	~$5,933	This is your take-home pay.
Rent (1BR)	$1,348	Citywide average.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$250	NH winters mean higher heating costs.
Car Insurance & Fuel	$300	Essential in Manchester; public transit is limited.
Groceries & Essentials	$400
Health Insurance	$200	Employer-subsidized.
Discretionary Spending	$1,000	Entertainment, dining, saving for a car/home, etc.
Remaining Buffer	$1,435	This is your savings and major goal fund.

Can you afford to buy a home? Yes, but it requires planning. Manchester’s housing market is competitive. The median home price is approximately $425,000. With a $1,435 monthly buffer, you could save for a 3.5% FHA down payment (~$14,875) in about 10-12 months. However, the real challenge is the mortgage payment. At 6.5% interest, a $425,000 home with a 10% down payment has a monthly mortgage of roughly $2,400, plus property taxes (which can be $600-$800/month in Manchester). This would push your housing cost to over $3,000/month, which is 40%+ of your gross income. It’s tight but doable on a dual-income household or if you advance to a senior salary.

Where the Jobs Are: Manchester's Major Employers

Manchester’s accounting sector isn’t dominated by Wall Street firms, but by a mix of regional businesses, healthcare giants, and a surprisingly robust professional services sector. Here are the key players:

1. St. Mary’s Health System & Dartmouth-Hitchcock Manchester: The healthcare sector is the largest employer in the region. Accountants here handle complex billing, compliance (HIPAA, etc.), and financial reporting for multi-million dollar facilities. Hiring is steady, with a focus on those with healthcare or non-profit accounting experience.
2. Granite State Management & Resources (GSM&R): A major student loan servicer and financial services provider. They have a large corporate office in Concord but significant accounting operations in the Manchester area. They hire for roles in financial reporting, internal audit, and compliance.
3. Local & Regional CPA Firms: This is the backbone of the job market. Firms like Marden, Scott & Associates, PLLC, Keller, Sullivan & Co., P.C., and BlumShapiro (with a Manchester office) are always looking for CPAs and bookkeepers. They serve the vast ecosystem of small-to-medium businesses in southern NH. Hiring often peaks before tax season (January-March), but good firms hire year-round to build capacity.
4. Eversource Energy: The utility giant has a major presence in Manchester. Their corporate accounting department handles utility rate filings, capital project accounting, and regulatory reporting. Positions here are stable and offer strong benefits.
5. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU): A massive and growing employer. SNHU’s finance and accounting departments need professionals for budgeting, tuition revenue accounting, and grant management. The environment is dynamic and fast-paced.
6. City of Manchester Government: The largest municipal government in the state, with a sprawling budget. The Department of Finance and Central Accounting hires for internal auditors, budget analysts, and accountants. It’s a path for those interested in public service, though salaries can be slightly lower than the private sector.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward specialization. Firms and corporations are less interested in generalists and more focused on candidates with niche skills: forensic accounting, data analytics for finance (Excel, SQL, Tableau), and expertise in specific software like Sage Intacct or advanced QuickBooks. Remote work is becoming more common post-pandemic, but hybrid models (2-3 days in-office) are the norm for most local employers.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire’s CPA licensing is straightforward and follows the standard 150-hour rule. The process is managed by the New Hampshire Board of Accountancy.

Requirements:

1. Education: A bachelor’s degree (120 hours) is the minimum, but you need 150 semester hours for licensure. This typically means a master’s in accounting or an extra year of coursework. New Hampshire requires 24 hours in accounting and 24 hours in business courses.
2. Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG). You can sit for the exam in NH with 120 hours, but you must complete 150 hours and the experience requirement to be licensed.
3. Experience: You need one year (1,600 hours) of accounting experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, private industry, government, or academia.
4. Ethics Exam: You must pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.

Timeline & Costs:

• Education: If you need extra credits to reach 150, a local option is SNHU’s Master of Science in Accounting (online or on-campus). Cost varies but expect $15,000-$25,000.
• CPA Exam: Application fees to NH are $150, plus NASBA fees (~$150 per section). The total cost for the exam itself is roughly $1,500-$2,000.
• Study Materials: Becker, Roger, or Gleim courses range from $1,500 - $3,000.
• Total Estimated Cost: $18,000 - $30,000 for education, exam, and study materials. It’s an investment, but the ROI in salary bump is clear.

Insider Tip: Start exam prep in your final year of undergrad. The discipline required to study while working is immense. New Hampshire is part of the CPA Mobility law, so if you get licensed here, you can easily practice in neighboring states like Massachusetts with a notice of intent.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Living in Manchester means choosing between urban convenience and suburban quiet. Traffic is minimal compared to major metros, so a 15-minute commute is standard.

1. Downtown/Mill District: Best for the young professional who wants to walk to work. You’ll be in walking distance to firms like Marden, Scott and many corporate offices. It’s vibrant, with breweries and restaurants. Rent for a 1BR: $1,400 - $1,800. Commute: Walk/5-minute drive.
2. North End: More residential and historic. Offers single-family homes and larger apartments. Quieter than downtown but still close to everything. Great for those who want a neighborhood feel. Rent for a 1BR: $1,200 - $1,500. Commute: 5-10 minute drive.
3. South Manchester (near Elliot Hospital): Popular with healthcare professionals from St. Mary’s and Elliot. Modern apartment complexes, easy access to I-93, and close to the Mall of New Hampshire. Rent for a 1BR: $1,300 - $1,600. Commute: 10-15 minute drive.
4. Goffstown (15 mins north): A classic New England town feel. Excellent school systems, more space, and a strong community. Popular with families and those who want to separate work and home life. Rent for a 1BR: $1,250 - $1,450 (if you can find one; more condos/homes available). Commute: 15-20 minutes.
5. Bedford (20 mins south): An affluent suburb with top-rated schools and a very low crime rate. It’s a hub for executives and professionals. Rents and home prices are higher, but the lifestyle is polished and quiet. Rent for a 1BR: $1,500 - $1,900. Commute: 20-25 minutes (can be longer on I-93 during rush hour).

Insider Tip: If you work in downtown Manchester, parking is a key consideration. Some employers offer paid parking, but many do not. Factor in $100-$150/month for a garage or street permit if you live outside walking distance.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 4% job growth indicates that advancement is not about new jobs flooding in, but about transitioning into more specialized, higher-value roles.

Specialty Premiums:

• Forensic Accounting: +15-20% salary premium. Used in litigation support, insurance claims (think auto or property fraud), and regulatory investigations.
• Data Analytics (CMA or FP&A): +10-15% premium. Companies need accountants who can model financial data, not just report it.
• Tax Specialization (M&A, International): +25-30% premium. Highly lucrative but typically only at larger firms or in-house with national corporations.

Advancement Paths:

1. Public Accounting Ladder: Associate → Senior → Manager → Partner. The classic path. In Manchester’s smaller firms, you can advance to Manager in 5-7 years if you’re proactive.
2. Industry Path: Staff Accountant → Senior Accountant → Accounting Manager → Controller → CFO. Many in Manchester start in a firm for 2-3 years to get CPA experience, then jump to a local company (e.g., Eversource, a manufacturing firm, or a hospital).
3. Government/Non-Profit: Offers more stability and better work-life balance, but slower salary growth. Launching into a Director of Finance role at a local non-profit is a common goal for mid-career professionals.

10-Year Outlook: The need for accountants will remain, but the type of accountant is changing. The rise of AI and automation will handle routine bookkeeping and tax prep. The future belongs to accountants who can interpret data, provide strategic advice, and manage complex regulatory environments. In Manchester, this means focusing on business advisory services, internal audit, and financial planning & analysis (FP&A).

The Verdict: Is Manchester Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable salary that exceeds the national average.	High property taxes can significantly impact your take-home pay if you buy a home.
No state income or sales tax.	Limited public transportation; a car is a necessity for most.
Diverse economy with jobs in healthcare, finance, and government.	The job market is modest (230 jobs); you may need to be flexible to find the right role.
Affordable cost of living compared to nearby Boston (1-hour drive).	Winters are long and can be harsh (expect snow from Nov-April).
Easy commutes and a variety of neighborhood choices.	Social scene is quieter; it’s not a major cultural hub like Boston or Portland.

Final Recommendation:
Manchester is an excellent choice for mid-career accountants (5-10 years experience) who value stability, affordability, and a reasonable work-life balance. It’s ideal if you have your CPA or are working toward it and want to build a long-term career without the intense pressure and cost of a major coastal city. It’s less ideal for recent graduates seeking a dynamic, fast-paced environment with thousands of entry-level options. For those with families, the combination of good school systems in suburbs like Goffstown and Bedford, coupled with a solid salary, makes it particularly attractive.

FAQs

1. Is the Manchester accounting market saturated?
No. While it’s not a high-growth market, it’s not saturated either. The steady 4% growth and a constant need for replacing retiring CPAs ensure there are opportunities. The key is specialization. A generic accountant may struggle, but one with a CPA and a niche like tax or FP&A will find opportunities.

2. How important is the CPA license here?
It’s almost essential for advancement to senior roles and a significant salary increase. While you can get a good staff accountant job without it, breaking the $90,000 ceiling is difficult without the CPA credential. Most firms and corporations have a clear career and salary bump tied to licensure.

3. What’s the commute like from surrounding towns?
Very manageable. From Goffstown or Bedford, you’re looking at a 15-25 minute drive. The I-93 and Route 3 corridors are the main arteries. Traffic is predictable (heavier from 7-8:30 AM and 4:30-5:30 PM), but you won’t face Boston-level gridlock. Winter weather can add 10-15 minutes to your commute when it snows.

4. Are there remote accounting jobs based in Manchester?
Yes, increasingly so. Many local companies (like SNHU or Eversource) and CPA firms now offer hybrid or remote options for experienced staff. The pandemic accelerated this trend. However, for your first year or two, especially in public accounting, expect to be in the office to learn the ropes. Remote-only accounting roles in Manchester are still relatively rare compared to larger cities.

5. What’s the best way to network in the local accounting community?
The New Hampshire Society of CPAs (NHSCPA) is your primary resource. They hold monthly meetings, webinars, and an annual conference in Manchester or Concord. It’s the best way to meet local firm partners and corporate controllers. Also, join the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and attend their young professionals events. Many local accountants also volunteer with organizations like the United Way, which is another great networking avenue.