Accountant in Overland Park, KS

The Salary Picture: Where Overland Park Stands

Overland Park offers a compelling value proposition for accounting professionals. While the metro-wide median salary of $84,349/year sits slightly below the national average of $86,080/year, the region's affordable cost of living makes it a financially attractive destination. The hourly rate of $40.55/hour provides a solid baseline for negotiations and side work. With 394 accounting jobs in the metro area and a modest 10-Year Job Growth projection of 4%, the market is stable rather than explosive, favoring professionals seeking long-term stability in a family-friendly environment.

Insider Tip: Don't let the lower median number deter you. Many local firms, especially in the tech and healthcare sectors, pay at or above the national average to attract top talent, particularly for senior and specialized roles.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect at different career stages within the Overland Park area:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (Overland Park)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$55,000 - $68,000	Bookkeeping, AP/AR, assisting with monthly closes, basic tax prep.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$70,000 - $95,000	Full month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, advanced tax planning, client management.
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$90,000 - $130,000+	Departmental leadership, complex GAAP/IFRS reporting, audit oversight, strategic financial planning, mentoring.
Expert/Controller (15+ years)	$125,000 - $180,000+	CFO support, M&A due diligence, investor relations, high-level risk management, board-level presentations.

Note: These ranges are synthesized from local job postings and industry surveys, reflecting the local market context surrounding the $84,349 median.

Comparative Analysis: Overland Park vs. Other Kansas Cities

Overland Park is the economic engine of the Kansas City metro, but salary and opportunity vary by city.

City	Median Salary (Est.)	Cost of Living Index	Market Vibe
Overland Park	$84,349	93.3	Corporate, stable, family-oriented. HQ for many regional firms.
Wichita	~$72,000	88.0	Aerospace/manufacturing focus. Lower salaries but even lower COL.
Kansas City, MO	~$88,000	92.0 (MO side)	Broader financial sector, higher competition, more corporate HQs.
Topeka	~$70,000	86.5	State government focus. Limited growth but very stable.
Olathe	~$82,000	94.0	Similar to OP, but more suburban residential feel.

Takeaway: Overland Park offers the best balance of salary opportunity and quality of life in Kansas. If pure salary maximization is the goal, look at the Kansas City, MO side of the metro (especially downtown or the Country Club Plaza). If cost is the primary driver, Wichita is cheaper, but with a narrower industry base.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's ground the $84,349 median salary in reality. Here’s a monthly budget breakdown for a single accountant at that level, factoring in typical deductions and Overland Park's cost of living.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Gross: $7,029/month)

Item	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$7,029	Based on $84,349 annual salary.
Taxes & Deductions	-$2,050	Includes federal, FICA, state (KS), and a 5% 401(k) match. Net take-home ≈ $4,979.
Average 1BR Rent	-$839	Overland Park average. Actual range: $750-$1,100.
Utilities (Electric/Gas/Internet)	-$200	Varies by season and apartment.
Groceries	-$400
Transportation (Car Payment, Gas, Insurance)	-$550	Overland Park is car-dependent.
Health Insurance (Employer Share)	-$150	Employee portion.
Discretionary/Entertainment	-$600	Dining out, streaming, hobbies.
Savings (Emergency Fund/Retirement)	-$500	Building on your 401(k) match.
Total Expenses	-$3,239
Monthly Surplus	~$1,740

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With a monthly surplus of ~$1,740, a single accountant earning the median salary can comfortably save for a down payment. The median home price in Overland Park is approximately $400,000. A 20% down payment ($80,000) is achievable within 3-5 years of disciplined saving. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would be roughly $2,200-$2,500, which would consume about 50% of the take-home pay. This is high but manageable, especially with a dual-income household.

Where the Jobs Are: Overland Park's Major Employers

Overland Park's economy is anchored in healthcare, corporate services, and technology. Here are key employers actively hiring accountants:

1. Rally Health (a UnitedHealth Group company): This massive tech-focused health company has a huge campus in Overland Park. They hire for internal accounting roles, financial analysts, and revenue cycle specialists. Hiring Trend: High volume, competitive benefits, often looking for CPA candidates.
2. AMC Theatres (Theatrical Division HQ): As a national brand headquartered in Leawood (bordering OP), their accounting needs are vast—corporate, real estate (leases), and film accounting. Hiring Trend: Stable, cyclical with movie slate releases.
3. Garmin International: A tech/aviation/marine giant based in Olathe, but a major employer for all of Johnson County. They need cost accountants, financial planners, and audit specialists. Hiring Trend: Strong, steady growth; values engineering-adjacent finance skills.
4. University of Kansas Health System: One of the region's largest healthcare networks. Their corporate finance department hires for revenue cycle, grant accounting, and internal audit. Hiring Trend: Constant need due to regulatory complexity and growth.
5. CBIZ & Moss Adams (Local Offices): These national accounting firms have significant Overland Park/Kansas City offices. They offer public accounting paths in audit, tax, and advisory. Hiring Trend: Always hiring, especially for entry and mid-level. Great for CPA experience.
6. Sprint (now T-Mobile): While the headquarters moved to Las Colinas, TX, a massive contingent of finance and accounting professionals remains in the Overland Park campus, handling legacy and ongoing corporate functions. Hiring Trend: Consolidating, but still a source of high-level jobs.
7. Local & Regional Banks: Banks like Community America Credit Union, Academy Bank, and regional divisions of national banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo) have back-office operations in OP that require accounting staff.

Insider Tip: The "Overland Park" job market often includes Leawood, Olathe, Shawnee, and Lenexa. Expand your search radius by 10-15 miles for significantly more opportunities.

Getting Licensed in KS

Requirements & Costs:
To practice as a CPA in Kansas, you must:

1. Education: 150 semester hours, including 30 hours of upper-level accounting and 24 hours of business courses. Most candidates get this via a 5th year of college or a Master's in Accounting.
2. Exam: Pass the Uniform CPA Exam (AICPA).
3. Experience: 1 year of qualifying experience (2,000 hours) under a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, or government.
4. Ethics Exam: Pass the Kansas-specific ethics exam.

Typical Costs:

• CPA Exam Fees: ~$1,500 total (application + exam fees).
• Study Materials: $1,500 - $2,500 (Becker, Roger, Surgent, etc.).
• Ethics Exam: ~$150.
• Licensing Fees: ~$250.
• Total Upfront Investment: $3,400 - $4,400.

Timeline to Get Started:

• If you have 150 hours already, you can immediately apply to the Kansas State Board of Accountancy (ksbcpa.org) to sit for the exam.
• Once you pass all four sections, you have one year to get your experience and ethics exam completed.
• Total time: 18-24 months is a realistic timeline from starting the exam process to holding your active license.

Insider Tip: Many firms in the KC metro (including Overland Park) offer CPA exam bonus programs ($3,000-$5,000) and study time to cover these costs.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Overland Park is a sprawling suburb. Your choice of neighborhood impacts commute, lifestyle, and budget.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Best For
Downtown Overland Park	Walkable, historic, near the library and AMC Dine-In. Easy access to I-35.	$950 - $1,200	Young professionals who want a "city" feel without downtown KC prices.
College Boulevard Corridor	Corporate offices, newer apartments, shopping. Quiet, car-centric.	$850 - $1,100	Those working at Rally, Garmin, or Sprint. Short, predictable commutes.
South Overland Park (135th St)	Family-oriented, top-rated schools, safe. Longer commute to north-side employers.	$900 - $1,150	Accountants with families or planning to start a family soon.
Lenexa (City Center)	Rapidly developing, with a new "Lenexa City Center" mixed-use area. More affordable than OP.	$800 - $1,000	Value-seekers who want a modern apartment without the OP premium.
Shawnee (Northern Edge)	Quiet, suburban, with good access to I-435 and K-10.	$750 - $950	Budget-focused professionals who don't mind a 20-30 minute drive to major offices.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-435 and US-69 is a major factor. If your job is near the 95th & Metcalf area (Rally, Sprint), living in Lenexa or Shawnee to the south can mean a reverse commute, saving you time.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With a 10-Year Job Growth of 4%, Overland Park is not a "get rich quick" market but a "build a stable, well-compensated career" market.

• Specialty Premiums: The highest premiums are for:
  • CPA with Public Accounting Experience: The gold standard for exit opportunities to industry.
  • Healthcare Revenue Cycle: Due to KU Med and other systems.
  • Tech/Fintech Finance: Skills in SaaS metrics, ARR, and financial modeling (relevant to Rally, Garmin).
  • Manufacturing/Supply Chain Cost Accounting: For firms like Johns Manville (located in nearby Lenexa) or others in the industrial corridor.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is Staff Accountant > Senior Accountant > Accounting Manager > Controller/Assistant Controller. In larger corporations (Rally, Garmin), you can also move into Financial Analyst > Senior FP&A Manager > Director of Finance. The public accounting path is Staff > Senior > Manager > Senior Manager > Partner/Director.
• Networking is Key: The Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA) has a robust Johnson County chapter. Attending their events is critical for advancement, as many jobs are filled through referrals.

10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain steady for generalist accountants, but will grow faster for those with specialized certifications (CPA, CMA) and tech-savvy skills (advanced Excel, ERP systems like SAP or Oracle, and data visualization tools like Tableau). The metro's growth is tied to healthcare and tech, so tailoring your skills to those industries is a smart long-term move.

The Verdict: Is Overland Park Right for You?

The decision to move to Overland Park hinges on your career and lifestyle priorities.

Pros	Cons
Excellent Value: $84,349 goes much further here than in coastal cities.	Car Dependency: You will absolutely need a car. Public transit is minimal.
Stable Job Market: Major employers in healthcare and tech provide job security.	Slower Growth: 4% growth means opportunities come, but you may need to be patient and proactive.
Top-Tier Schools & Safety: Public schools in Overland Park are consistently highly rated.	Limited "Big City" Vibe: It's a suburb. If you crave 24/7 nightlife and walkable density, look to downtown KC.
Central Location: Easy access to downtown KC (20-30 mins) for sports, concerts, and a larger cultural scene.	Weather: Hot, humid summers and cold, often gray winters. Tornadoes are a real (though infrequent) consideration.
Strong Network: A tight-knit professional community, especially in accounting.	Salary Ceiling: While comfortable, top-end salaries for experts may be higher in larger metros.

Final Recommendation:
Overland Park is an ideal choice for accountants who prioritize work-life balance, affordability, and family-friendly amenities over raw salary maximization. It's perfect for mid-career professionals looking to buy a home, start a family, or build a stable long-term career. If you're an early-career accountant who thrives on the energy of a dense urban core and is willing to pay a premium for it, you might prefer Kansas City, MO. For a balanced, financially sound, and comfortable accounting career, Overland Park is a top contender.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a CPA license to get a good accounting job in Overland Park?
A: Not always, but it significantly opens doors. You can get a good Staff or Senior Accountant role in corporate without a CPA. However, for Accounting Manager, Controller, or any public accounting track beyond Senior, the CPA is often a non-negotiable requirement. It's a wise investment.

Q: How is the work-life balance at employers like Rally or Garmin?
A: Generally positive, reflecting the corporate Midwest culture. Standard 40-hour weeks are common, with occasional periods of intensity (quarter-end, year-end). There's less "burn-out" culture than in finance hubs like NYC or Chicago. That said, accountants at public firms (CBIZ, Moss Adams) will work standard public accounting hours (50-60 hrs/week during busy season).

Q: Is the market welcoming to career changers from non-traditional backgrounds?
A: Yes, increasingly so. The tech and healthcare sectors value diverse experience. If you have a background in another field (e.g., engineering, logistics) and are getting an accounting degree or certification, you can find roles that blend your prior knowledge with accounting, especially in cost or operational analysis.

Q: What's the best way to find an apartment that fits my budget?
A: Use local search tools like Zillow and Apartments.com, but also check KC Property Ninja for local landlord listings. For the best deals, look in Lenexa or Shawnee and be flexible on move-in dates. The rental market is competitive but not as cutthroat as major coastal cities.

Q: How do I connect with the local accounting community?
A: Join the Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA) Johnson County chapter immediately. Attend their monthly breakfast meetings. Also, use LinkedIn to connect with professionals at the major employers listed above. The accounting community here is friendly and network-driven; a referral is often the fastest way to a new job.