Ranked list · updated 2026-10-09
Highest-paying accounting & tax credentials
8 accounting & tax credentials are ranked below by the median annual wage published for the occupation each one unlocks. Every figure is quoted from the source named inside that credential's own guide, and the exam fee shown beside it comes from the awarding body.
- Credentials ranked
- 8
- Exam fees
- $25–$110
- Field
- Accounting & Tax
Which accounting & tax credentials lead to the highest published pay?
The 8 credentials below are ordered by the median annual wage published for the occupation each one unlocks. The order is computed from the researched guides; the sentence printed for each credential is that guide's own sourced headline, reproduced verbatim so its attribution stays attached to the number.
| # | Credential | Published median for the occupation it unlocks (quoted) | Exam fee | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Fraud Examiner Exam | $81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS, May 2024) | Exam and membership fees (retake $110) | 2026-08 |
| 2 | Certified Internal Auditor Part 1: Essentials of Internal Auditing | $81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS, May 2024) | Member and non-member exam fee (plus application fee) | 2026-08 |
| 3 | CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics | $81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS SOC 13-2011, May 2024) | Exam fee per part (member rates; entrance fee separate) | 2026-08 |
| 4 | CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management | $81,680 median for accountants and auditors (BLS SOC 13-2011, May 2024) | Exam fee per part (member rates; entrance fee separate) | 2026-08 |
| 5 | Uniform CPA Examination | $81,680 median annual wage for accountants and auditors (BLS, May 2024) | — | 2026-08 |
| 6 | Enrolled Agent (Special Enrollment Examination) | $54,920 median for Tax Preparers (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — the closest BLS proxy for EA work | — | 2026-08 |
| 7 | Certified Bookkeeper | $49,210 median for bookkeeping clerks (BLS, May 2024) — in an occupation BLS projects to shrink 6% | Registration $25 member / $60 nonmember (nonrefundable) + $100 each for Prometric Parts 1 & 2; Parts 3–4 have no exam fee (study workbooks extra) | 2026-08 |
| 8 | Certified Public Bookkeeper Licence Exam | $49,210 median annual wage for bookkeeping clerks (BLS, May 2024) | Each exam $80 member / $100 nonmember; retake $40 member / $50 nonmember; $100 nonrefundable license processing fee | 2026-08 |
What does this ranking actually measure?
Ranked by the median annual wage published for the occupation each credential unlocks, most recent figure per occupation, quoted from the source named in the guide (usually the BLS occupational series). A credential is the entry ticket to an occupation, not a pay guarantee: these are occupation medians, not starting salaries.
Each row also carries the month its guide was last checked against the primary source, so you can see how current the figure is before you rely on it. Fees and pass rules change; the guide linked from every row carries the authoritative reference.
Where does this field sit in the site-wide ranking?
The main ranking pools all 424 credential-with-median pairs across 15 fields, so a credential that leads this page may still sit outside the site-wide top 25 — and a credential outside this page's top few may rank highly overall. Use whichever view matches the question you are answering.
- All fields, site-wide ranking 424 ranked
- Admissions & Academic Testing 33 ranked
- Allied Health & Medical Support 43 ranked
- Finance & Securities 20 ranked
- Fitness, Wellness & Personal Care 27 ranked
- Food Safety & Hospitality 17 ranked
- Government & Public Safety 18 ranked
- Healthcare & Clinical Licensure 10 ranked
- Insurance & Risk 7 ranked
- IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity 122 ranked
- Project Management & Business 22 ranked
- Teaching & Education 42 ranked
- Trades, Construction & Engineering 24 ranked
- Transportation & Aviation 16 ranked
- Workplace Safety 15 ranked
Frequently asked questions
How many accounting & tax credentials are ranked here?
8 of this field's published guides carry a citable occupation median and are ranked below. Site-wide, 424 credentials across 15 fields are ranked, so this page is a subset of the main list rather than an alternative to it.
What does a accounting & tax credential cost to attempt?
Exam fees across this field's ranked credentials run from about $25 to $110. Fee is what the exam costs to sit; the median quoted for each row is what the occupation pays once you hold the credential, and the two do not move together.
Is the highest-paying accounting & tax credential the right one to start with?
Not necessarily. The ranking orders by the median for the occupation each credential unlocks, and several of the credentials here are sequential steps in the same career path rather than competing alternatives — one may be the prerequisite for another on this list. Read the guide for a credential's eligibility rules before treating its position here as a starting recommendation.
Why is a credential I expected to see missing?
Only credentials with a published occupation median appear. A credential whose guide does not carry a citable median is left out rather than estimated, and any credential whose researched text marks its exam as retired, withdrawn or no longer obtainable is removed — pointing at a dead exam in a recommendation list would be actively misleading.