Accountant in Somerville, MA

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Accountants considering a move to Somerville, MA.

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The Salary Picture: Where Somerville Stands

If you’re an accountant looking at Somerville, you’re probably trying to figure out if the paychecks match the rent. The short answer is: they’re better than the national average, but you’ll need to hustle to stay ahead of the local cost of living.

The median salary for an accountant in Somerville is $89,075/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.82/hour. Let’s put that in perspective. Nationally, the average accountant earns $86,080/year. That means Somerville pays about 3.5% more than the U.S. average—not a massive premium, but it’s a start. However, this number is heavily influenced by the proximity to Boston’s financial and biotech hubs. You’re not just competing with local firms; you’re tethered to a major metro market.

Here’s how that median breaks down by experience level. These are realistic ranges based on local job postings and industry data for the Greater Boston area.

Experience Level	Salary Range (Annual)	Hourly Equivalent
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$65,000 - $78,000	$31.25 - $37.50
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$78,000 - $95,000	$37.50 - $45.67
Senior/Manager (8-12 years)	$95,000 - $120,000	$45.67 - $57.69
Expert/Controller (12+ years)	$120,000 - $155,000+	$57.69 - $74.52+

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-level to senior is where you see the biggest salary bump in this area. Companies are desperate for accountants who can handle complex state tax regulations and manage hybrid teams. If you have your CPA and experience with SaaS or biotech revenue recognition, you can command a salary well above the $89,075 median.

Compared to other Massachusetts cities, Somerville sits in a competitive middle ground. It’s not as high-paying as Boston proper (where the median is closer to $92,000), but it’s significantly higher than more affordable cities like Worcester (median $78,500). The premium for working in the metro area is real, but so is the commute cost—both in time and money—if you’re trying to save for a home.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. Earning $89,075 looks good on paper, but what’s left after the state gets its cut and you pay rent?

Massachusetts has a flat state income tax of 5%, plus federal taxes and FICA (7.65%). For a single filer with no dependents, your take-home pay after all taxes will be roughly $68,000 - $70,000 annually, or about $5,650 - $5,800 per month.

Now, factor in housing. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Somerville is $2,064/month. That’s about 35-36% of your monthly take-home pay. While this is under the common 30% rule, it’s tight, especially when you add in the other costs of living here.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an Accountant Earning $89,075:

Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
After-Tax Income	~$5,700	Approximate, single filer
Rent (1BR Avg)	$2,064	Can range from $1,800 to $2,500+
Utilities & Internet	$150 - $200	Winter heating costs can spike
Groceries	$400 - $500	Considering local prices (e.g., Stop & Shop, Whole Foods)
Transportation	$150 - $300	MBTA pass ($90) + occasional Uber/commuter rail
Healthcare	$200 - $400	Varies by employer plan
Student Loans/Debt	$300 - $600	Common for this field
Savings & Misc.	$1,000 - $1,500	Discretionary; tight budget with high rent

Can they afford to buy a home? Let’s be blunt: not easily on this salary alone. The median home price in Somerville is over $800,000. With a $89,075 salary, you’d likely be priced out of the city unless you have a significant down payment (20% would be $160k) or a dual-income household. Many accountants here rent for years or look to more affordable suburbs like Medford or Malden for ownership. This is a key consideration if long-term stability is your goal.

Where the Jobs Are: Somerville's Major Employers

Somerville isn’t a standalone corporate hub; it’s a bedroom community with deep ties to Boston’s economy. However, there are significant local employers. The job market is competitive, with 160 accounting jobs listed in the metro area at any given time, according to recent BLS data. Hiring is steady but not explosive, with a 10-year job growth rate of 4%—below the national average for the field, reflecting a mature market.

Here are the major local and nearby employers you should target:

1. Tufts University: A massive employer in Medford/Somerville. They need accountants for endowment management, grants accounting, and university operations. It’s stable, offers good benefits, and the work-life balance is generally better than in private firms. They often hire for staff accountant and financial analyst roles.

2. Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA): With major hospitals in Cambridge and Somerville, CHA is a constant source of accounting jobs, especially in revenue cycle management, payroll, and compliance. Healthcare accounting is a specialized field, and experience here is valuable.

3. Biotech & Pharma (in Kendall Square, Cambridge): While not in Somerville proper, Kendall Square is a 15-minute drive or a short Red Line ride away. This is where the high-paying jobs are. Companies like Biogen, Moderna, and Pfizer (through its Cambridge presence) need accountants with knowledge of R&D accounting, IFRS/GAAP for clinical trials, and stock-based compensation. Salaries here often exceed $100,000 for mid-level roles.

4. Local & Regional CPA Firms: Firms like KLR, DiCicco, Gulman & Company, and G.T. Reilly & Company have offices in the greater Boston area. They serve local small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. These are great places to start or pivot into public accounting, though hours can be long during tax season.

5. Tech Startups in the Seaport/Innovation District: A short commute via the Orange Line or Silver Line. Companies like Toast, HubSpot (though HQ is in Cambridge), and DraftKings are in perpetual need of finance and accounting professionals as they scale. These roles often come with equity, adding to total compensation.

6. Somerville City Government & Public Schools: The City of Somerville itself is a major employer. They have openings for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial clerks. The pay is public and can be found on their website. It’s a stable, pension-based career path.

Insider Tip: Don’t limit your search to "Somerville." Set your job alerts for "Greater Boston," "Cambridge," and "Boston" on LinkedIn and Indeed. Your daily commute from Somerville to downtown Boston or Cambridge is often under 30 minutes via the T, making a much wider job pool accessible.

Getting Licensed in MA

To advance beyond a staff accountant role, you’ll need a CPA license. Massachusetts follows the 150-hour rule, meaning you need 150 semester hours of education to sit for the exam and get licensed.

State-Specific Requirements (via the MA Board of Accountancy):

1. Education: A bachelor’s degree (120 hours) is the minimum to sit for the exam. You need 150 hours total, with specific coursework in accounting and business. Many local candidates complete a Master’s in Accounting (e.g., at Boston University, Suffolk, or Framingham State) to hit the 150-hour mark.
2. Exam: Pass all four parts of the Uniform CPA Exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG). This is the same nationwide.
3. Experience: You need one year (2,000 hours) of qualifying experience under a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, or government.
4. Ethics Exam: Pass the AICPA Professional Ethics Exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Exam Fees: ~$1,000 - $1,500 total (varies by state and number of attempts).
• Education: A Master’s program can cost $20,000 - $40,000 at a local university. Community colleges offer cheaper pathways to get the remaining credits.
• Timeline: From starting your 150-hour education to getting your license, plan for 1.5 - 2 years. If you already have the education, the exam and experience process can take 6-12 months.

Insider Tip: The Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MSCPA) is your best resource for networking, CPE credits, and finding a mentor. Attend their events in Boston or Worcester to get your name out there.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Living in Somerville means choosing a neighborhood that fits your commute and lifestyle. All are walkable, bikeable, and have great access to the T.

Neighborhood	Commute Time to Downtown Boston	Vibe & Lifestyle	Avg. 1BR Rent
Davis Square	15-20 min (Red Line)	Young, vibrant, with a thriving food scene and nightlife. Ideal for young professionals.	$2,100 - $2,400
Union Square	20-25 min (Silver Line/Bus)	Up-and-coming, diverse, with a strong arts community. More affordable than Davis.	$1,900 - $2,200
Teele Square	20-25 min (Red Line from Davis)	Quieter, more residential. Great for those who want a neighborhood feel with easy access to Davis.	$1,850 - $2,100
Magoun Square	25-30 min (Bus to Red Line)	Very family-friendly, slightly farther out, with more space for the money.	$1,750 - $2,000
Prospect Hill	25-30 min (Bus/Red Line)	Historic, with beautiful views and a tight-knit community. Older housing stock.	$1,900 - $2,200

Insider Tip: If you work in tech or biotech in Cambridge, living in Union Square or Davis Square gives you the best commute. For a quieter life, look at Teele or Magoun. Parking is a nightmare everywhere; if you have a car, factor in $150-$300/month for a spot or a resident permit (which has a waitlist).

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 4% tells you this isn’t a boomtown for new accountants. Growth is in specialization and advancement, not volume. To move up and increase your earnings, you need to niche down.

• Specialty Premiums: In the Greater Boston area, accountants with skills in these areas command the highest premiums:

  • Biotech/Pharma Accounting: Experience with R&D capitalization, clinical trial accounting, and SEC reporting for life sciences can push your salary 15-25% above the median.
  • Data Analytics & Systems (ERP Implementation): Accountants who can manage NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle implementations are gold. This skill set can lead to roles in systems consulting, with salaries often over $120,000.
  • International Tax: With Boston’s global companies, knowledge of transfer pricing and international tax structures is highly valued.

• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Staff Accountant → Senior Accountant → Accounting Manager → Controller. In a larger company, you might branch into FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) or Internal Audit. In public accounting, you move from Associate to Manager to Partner.

• 10-Year Outlook: The outlook is stable but requires adaptation. Automation is handling routine bookkeeping, so the demand is for accountants who can analyze data, advise on strategy, and ensure compliance. The proximity to Boston’s economy ensures a steady flow of high-level work, but competition is fierce. You must continuously learn new software and regulations.

The Verdict: Is Somerville Right for You?

Making the move to Somerville as an accountant is a strategic decision. It offers access to a robust job market and a high quality of life, but it comes with a significant financial burden.

Pros	Cons
Access to Boston's job market with higher salaries in tech & biotech.	High cost of living, especially rent, which can eat up 30-35% of income.
Vibrant, walkable neighborhoods with great food, culture, and public transit.	Extremely competitive housing market; buying a home is a major challenge.
Strong network of employers from universities to hospitals to startups.	Job growth is modest (4%), so lateral moves can be tough without a strong network.
Good public schools and family-friendly amenities in many neighborhoods.	Parking and traffic are daily frustrations for drivers.
Proximity to professional development (CPA societies, universities).	State income tax and overall high taxes reduce take-home pay.

Final Recommendation: Somerville is an excellent choice for accountants in their mid-career (3-10 years of experience) who are looking to specialize in high-demand fields like biotech or tech finance. If you’re early in your career, the salary may feel strained. If you’re looking to buy a home soon, you might need to look to adjacent suburbs. However, if you value career opportunity, urban lifestyle, and can manage the budget, Somerville is a fantastic place to build your accounting career.

FAQs

1. Can I live in Somerville on an entry-level accountant salary?
It's possible but tight. On a $65,000 - $78,000 salary, your take-home will be around $4,000-$4,500/month. After rent ($1,800-$2,100), utilities, and groceries, you’ll have little left for savings or entertainment. Consider a roommate or looking at the more affordable Medford/Malden border.

2. Do I need a car in Somerville?
No, but it helps. The MBTA subway (Red and Orange Lines) and buses cover the city well. If you commute to Cambridge or Boston, the T is often faster than driving and parking. A car is useful for weekend trips or grocery runs, but it’s a financial burden with gas, insurance, and the notorious lack of parking.

3. How competitive is the job market for CPAs?
For CPAs with 5+ years of experience, especially in specialty areas like tax, audit, or systems, the market is very strong. You’ll have multiple offers. For entry-level or non-CPA roles, it’s more competitive. Networking through the MSCPA or local university alumni groups is critical.

4. What’s the best way to find an accounting job in the area?
Use LinkedIn with location filters for "Boston," "Cambridge," and "Somerville." Network with local recruiters (they are abundant in finance). Attend MSCPA events. Also, check the career pages of specific employers like Tufts, CHA, and the city of Somerville. Many jobs are filled through referrals.

5. Is it worth getting a Master’s in Accounting at a local university?
Yes, if you need the 150-hour requirement and lack business credits. It also provides a structured network for job placement. Compare costs and programs at Suffolk, BU, or Framingham State. Consider cheaper community college credits for the remaining hours if you already have a bachelor’s in accounting.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Massachusetts Board of Accountancy, MIT Living Wage Calculator (for cost adjustments), local rental market data from Zillow/Apartments.com, and MSCPA resources.