Accountant in Plantation, FL

The Salary Picture: Where Plantation Stands

As a local, I can tell you that accounting salaries in Plantation are solid, but not explosive. They sit comfortably above the national average, yet they don't reach the heights you'd see in Miami's Brickell financial district. The median salary of $89,127/year is a strong anchor point for the region. At an hourly rate of $42.85/hour, you're looking at a professional wage that, while not Silicon Valley-level, provides a stable life in a desirable South Florida city.

The national average for accountants sits at $86,080/year, meaning Plantation's local market pays about 3.5% more than the U.S. median. This is largely driven by the cost of living and the presence of regional headquarters and larger private firms. However, the job market is defined by a specific scale; there are approximately 193 accountant jobs in the metro area, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This isn't a vast sea of opportunities like in Atlanta or Dallas, which makes networking and specialization key. The 10-year job growth projection is 4%, which is in line with the national average but indicates a stable, if not booming, market. You're not moving here for explosive career growth, but for steady advancement in a quality-of-life-oriented environment.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn at different stages of your career in the Plantation/Fort Lauderdale metro area. These ranges are based on local job postings, BLS data, and conversations with local finance professionals.

Experience Level	Typical Title	Salary Range (Plantation Metro)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	Staff Accountant, Junior Accountant	$60,000 - $75,000	General ledger reconciliation, AP/AR processing, assisting with month-end close, basic financial reporting.
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	Senior Accountant, Tax Accountant, Cost Accountant	$75,000 - $105,000	Leading month-end close processes, preparing financial statements (GAAP), managing complex reconciliations, tax filing (sales, payroll), budget analysis.
Senior-Level (8-15 yrs)	Accounting Manager, Controller (small/medium firm), Senior Tax Manager	$105,000 - $140,000	Overseeing accounting teams, implementing internal controls, strategic financial planning, managing audits, advanced tax strategy, financial modeling.
Expert-Level (15+ yrs)	Controller (large firm), VP of Finance, Director of Finance, Partner (CPA firm)	$140,000 - $180,000+	Executive-level financial strategy, managing all financial operations, board reporting, M&A due diligence, driving profitability and growth.

Comparison to Other Florida Cities

Plantation's salary is competitive within Florida's hierarchy. It's not at the top, but it's far from the bottom.

• Miami: Salaries are higher, often by 10-15%, especially in banking and international commerce. However, the cost of living, particularly housing, is significantly more aggressive. A $95,000 salary in Miami doesn't stretch as far as $89,127 in Plantation.
• Orlando: Salaries are very similar to Plantation, if not slightly lower. Orlando's job market is more diversified (tourism, healthcare, education), but the accounting roles are often tied to larger corporate headquarters (like Disney or Universal).
• Tampa: Tampa's professional salaries are on par with Plantation, with a slightly lower cost of living. The job market is strong, particularly in healthcare and financial services.
• Jacksonville: Often has lower salaries for similar roles, but also a lower cost of living. It's a major logistics and transportation hub, which shapes its accounting needs.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the salary number. Plantation's advantage is that you can live in a high-quality, safe suburb while being a 15-20 minute drive from the major financial hubs in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. This commute-to-salary balance is the real value proposition.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about your budget. A median salary of $89,127 sounds good on paper, but South Florida's cost of living will eat into it faster than you might expect.

Assumptions for a single filer (2024 tax brackets):

• Federal Tax (FICA + Income Tax): ~22% of gross
• State Tax (Florida): 0% (Great perk!)
• Pre-tax deductions (Health Insurance, 401k - 5%): ~10%
• Net Monthly Take-Home (Estimate): ~$5,200/month

Monthly Budget Breakdown: An Accountant Earning $89,127

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes & Local Context
Housing (1BR Apartment)	$1,621	This is the metro average. In central Plantation (near Shoppingtown), you might find a 1BR for $1,500-$1,700. In more desirable areas like Jacaranda, it could be $1,800+.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	$250	Florida's electric bills spike in summer (AC runs non-stop). Budget for this.
Car Payment & Insurance	$600	Car ownership is non-negotiable. Insurance is high in South Florida. A safe, reliable used car is a smart move.
Gas & Maintenance	$200	You'll be driving most places. This covers fuel and routine maintenance.
Groceries & Household	$500	Plantation has good grocery options (Publix, Aldi, Whole Foods). Budgeting is key.
Healthcare (Copays, etc.)	$150	Varies widely based on your employer's plan.
Entertainment & Dining	$400	Plantation has great local spots, and Fort Lauderdale/Miami are close. This budget allows for a nice dinner out and some activities.
Savings & Investments (5% 401k + other)	$500	This is the minimum for a healthy financial future. With a $89,127 salary, you should aim to save more.
Total Estimated Expenses	~$4,221
Remaining Buffer	~$979	This is for unexpected expenses, travel, or additional savings.

Can they afford to buy a home?
This is the big question. The median home price in Plantation is roughly $475,000 (for a single-family home in a decent neighborhood). With a $89,127 salary, you are likely pre-approved for a mortgage of around $400,000, depending on your debt-to-income ratio and down payment.

A $475,000 home with a 20% down payment ($95,000) would have a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) of approximately $2,800 - $3,100. This would be a significant stretch on the net income of $5,200/month, leaving very little for other expenses. A more realistic path is to:

1. Buy a condo/townhome for under $350,000.
2. Live in a neighboring city like Davie or Sunrise for lower prices.
3. Dual-income household. With a partner earning a similar salary, buying a home in Plantation becomes very feasible.

Insider Tip: Many accounting professionals live in Plantation but work remotely or have hybrid schedules. This saves on commute costs and time, making the math work better. If you can secure a remote role with a national firm while living in Plantation, your purchasing power increases dramatically.

Where the Jobs Are: Plantation's Major Employers

The job market here is a mix of corporate offices, private firms, and healthcare institutions. You won't find a dramatic concentration like in a major financial center, but there are steady players.

1. Medical Centers (Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System): Accounting roles here are plentiful, focusing on revenue cycle management, grant accounting, and compliance. With a growing senior population, these systems are always hiring. Hiring Trend: Steady, with a focus on specialized healthcare financial analysts.
2. Private Equity & Investment Firms: Plantation and nearby Coral Gables/Davie host wealth management and private equity offices. Roles here are high-stakes, involving portfolio accounting, fund administration, and investor reporting. Hiring Trend: Selective, often requiring CPA or CFA credentials and experience with complex financial instruments.
3. Manufacturing & Distribution (e.g., various private companies): South Florida has a strong logistics corridor. Companies in the industrial parks along I-595 need cost accountants, inventory accountants, and financial controllers. Hiring Trend: Consistent, especially for those with experience in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle NetSuite).
4. Real Estate Development & Management: With the constant growth in South Florida, firms managing commercial and residential properties need accountants skilled in lease accounting (ASC 842), property tax, and fund management. Hiring Trend: Strong, tied directly to the region's real estate market.
5. Local CPA Firms (e.g., Kaufman Rossin, Morrison, Brown, Argostino & Hinchey): These mid-sized to large regional firms offer tax and audit services to local businesses. They are a great entry point for new CPAs. Hiring Trend: Peak hiring happens before tax season (Jan-Feb), but there are year-round openings for audit and advisory roles.
6. Tech & Professional Services (e.g., Office Depot HQ, others): While Office Depot's headquarters is in Boca Raton, the broader South Florida tech and professional services sector has a presence. Accounting roles here often blend finance and operations. Hiring Trend: Growing, especially for tech-savvy accountants skilled in data analytics and automation.

Insider Tip: The best jobs are often not posted publicly. Join the South Florida Chapter of the FICPA (Florida Institute of CPAs). The networking events in Fort Lauderdale and Miami are goldmines for finding unadvertised roles at these very employers.

Getting Licensed in FL

If you're moving from another state, getting your Florida CPA license is straightforward but has specific requirements. The Florida Board of Accountancy (FBA) oversees this.

• Education: You need 150 semester hours of college credit, including a Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting (24 hours of upper-level accounting coursework). Your degree must be from an accredited institution. If your education is from outside the U.S., you'll need a credential evaluation.
• Examination: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG). You can sit for the exam in Florida or any other U.S. jurisdiction. Once you pass, you must apply for licensure within the state of Florida.
• Experience: You need one year (1,800 hours) of experience under the direct supervision of a licensed CPA. This experience should involve the use of accounting, attestation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills. This is the most common hurdle for out-of-state applicants. You must submit an Experience Affidavit signed by your supervising CPA.
• Ethics Exam: You must pass the AICPA's Professional Ethics Exam for CPAs.
• Costs: Expect to pay around $300 for the initial application fee, plus the cost of the exam (approx. $1,000 for all four sections), and the ethics exam fee (approx. $150-$200). Total licensing costs can run $1,500 - $2,000.
• Timeline: If you're starting from scratch (taking courses to meet the 150-hour rule), it can take 1-2 years. If you already have the education and experience, the process of applying, waiting for exam scores, and getting your experience affidavit can take 4-6 months after you pass the exam.

Insider Tip: Florida is a "two-tier" state. You can sit for the exam with 120 credit hours, but you cannot get licensed until you complete the full 150 hours and experience. Plan accordingly. The FBA website is the official source—bookmark it.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Plantation is a suburban city, so your neighborhood choice defines your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Here’s a local’s breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why It's Good for Accountants
Central Plantation (Shoppingtown)	The classic suburban core. Central to everything: shopping (Sawgrass Mills is 10 mins), parks, and major roads (I-595, Peters Rd). Walkable to some amenities.	$1,500 - $1,700	Most affordable central option. Easy 15-20 min commute to Fort Lauderdale financial offices. You can live without being on top of the office.
Plantation Acres/Jacaranda	More residential, spacious, and quieter. Lots of single-family homes and townhomes. Feels more "neighborhoody."	$1,600 - $1,900 (for townhome/condo)	Great for those wanting more space and a quieter life. A bit longer commute but still manageable. Good for remote workers.
Sunrise (adjacent)	Technically a separate city, but bordering Plantation. More affordable housing options, newer developments. Home to the FLA Live Arena and Sawgrass Mills.	$1,400 - $1,650	If you need to keep rent down. Commute to Plantation/FTL is still easy via I-595. More "big box" commercial feel.
Davie (south of Plantation)	A blend of suburban and semi-rural. Home to Nova Southeastern University. More traffic on I-595 during peak hours.	$1,500 - $1,750	Popular with young professionals. Slightly longer commute to Miami, but a great hub if you work in the Weston/Davie corporate park area.
Fort Lauderdale (east of I-595)	Urban, closer to the beaches and downtown. More vibrant nightlife and dining. Traffic on I-595 can be brutal in the morning.	$1,700 - $2,200+	If you crave city life. The commute to Plantation employers is reverse-commute (east to west), which can be easier. You pay a premium for location.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-595 is a major factor. If you get a job in downtown Fort Lauderdale/Miami, living in Plantation means you're commuting against the worst traffic (west to east in the morning). If your job is in a western suburb like Weston, your commute is a breeze. Always test the commute at the time you'd be driving.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With a 10-year job growth of 4%, accounting in Plantation isn't about rapid-fire promotions; it's about strategic skill-building. Here’s how to advance:

• Specialty Premiums (How to earn more than the median):
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA): This is non-negotiable for serious advancement. A CPA can command a 10-20% salary premium over a non-CPA.
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA): Valued in corporate finance and manufacturing roles. Focused on internal financial management.
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA): Important for large organizations, healthcare, and financial institutions.
  • Data Analytics & Tech: Accountants who are proficient with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, and advanced Excel are in high demand. They move from "reporting" to "strategic insight." This is the single biggest growth area.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Public Accounting Track: Staff Accountant (1-2 yrs) -> Senior (3-5 yrs) -> Manager (5-8 yrs) -> Senior Manager/Partner (8+ yrs). The path is well-defined but competitive. You'll likely work for a firm in Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
  2. Corporate Track (Private Industry): Staff Accountant -> Senior Accountant -> Accounting Manager -> Controller -> VP of Finance. This path is more variable. Growth can be accelerated by moving between companies.
  3. Specialist Track: Focus on a niche like healthcare revenue cycle, real estate accounting, or nonprofit auditing. Specialists often see higher salaries and more job security.

10-Year Outlook: The profession is consolidating. Basic data entry and reconciliation are being automated. The accountants who thrive in 2024 and beyond are those who are advisors, analysts, and strategists. In Plantation, that means working with local businesses to interpret data, improve profitability, and navigate complex regulations. The 4% growth will be in these higher-level roles, not entry-level bookkeeping.

The Verdict: Is Plantation Right for You?

Plantation isn't a flashy career launchpad; it's a stable, high-quality place to build a life and a solid accounting career.

Pros	Cons
Above-average salary relative to national average