Accountant Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Tucson punches above its weight in public accounting: BeachFleischman, headquartered here, is the largest locally owned CPA firm in Arizona and a Top 200 firm nationally, and long-established local firms like HBL CPAs (founded in 1972) and Regier Carr and Monroe keep a steady demand for staff and senior accountants. Add the finance departments at Raytheon, the University of Arizona, Tucson Electric Power, Pima County, and the region's hospitals, and accountants have more Tucson employers to choose from than the city's small banking sector would suggest. Local pay averages around $71,000, and CPA credentials push it higher.
Current Accountant Openings in Tucson, AZ
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Top Tucson Employers Hiring Accountants
Accountants in Tucson work at CPA firms, large employers with in-house finance teams, and government agencies.
- BeachFleischman - Tucson-headquartered and Arizona's largest locally owned CPA firm, hiring staff accountants, tax, and audit professionals.
- HBL CPAs - a Tucson firm operating since 1972, with accounting and tax openings.
- Regier Carr and Monroe - an established Tucson CPA and financial-management firm.
- Raytheon (RTX) - Tucson's largest private employer, staffing corporate accounting and financial analysis roles.
- University of Arizona - a major public employer with fund, grant, and department accounting positions.
- Pima County and Tucson Electric Power - government and utility employers with in-house accounting teams.
Accountant Salaries in Tucson
- Entry level (accounting clerk, junior/staff accountant): roughly $45,000 - $58,000
- Experienced (senior accountant, CPA): roughly $60,000 - $85,000
- Senior (accounting manager, controller): roughly $85,000 - $120,000+
These are estimates that vary by employer, industry, and credentials. The Tucson average for accountants sits around $71,000, and earning a CPA license or moving into management raises it noticeably. Larger employers typically add health coverage, retirement plans, and paid time off.
How to Become an Accountant in Tucson
Most accounting jobs start with a bachelor's degree. Pima Community College offers an accounting associate degree and certificates that cover bookkeeping through intermediate accounting, and the Pima2UA pathway transfers those credits into the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management, whose accounting program ranks among the nation's top public programs and includes a Master of Accounting. To become a CPA, Arizona requires 150 semester hours (usually a bachelor's plus 30 additional credits), passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam, an ethics exam, and 2,000 hours of experience supervised by a licensed CPA - all administered by the Arizona State Board of Accountancy. You can sit for the exam after 120 hours, so many candidates test while finishing the last credits.
What the Job Involves
Accountants record and verify financial transactions, reconcile accounts, prepare financial statements and tax filings, and support budgeting and audits. At a Tucson CPA firm, the work rotates across client engagements - bookkeeping, tax returns, and assurance - and gets busiest during tax season and year-end. In corporate and government roles, accountants focus on the general ledger, month-end close, grant or fund reporting, and internal controls.
Skills Employers Look For
- Strong grasp of accounting principles and financial reporting
- Proficiency in Excel and accounting software such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, or SAP
- Accuracy, organization, and the ability to meet deadlines
- Analytical thinking and clear written communication
- CPA licensure or CPA candidacy for advancement into senior roles
Career Path and Advancement
A typical Tucson path runs from accounting clerk or staff accountant to senior accountant, then accounting manager or controller, and eventually to CFO in larger organizations. In public accounting at firms like BeachFleischman, the ladder climbs from staff to senior to manager and partner. Earning the CPA is the single biggest accelerator, and the local firm-to-industry pipeline means many Tucson accountants start at a CPA firm and later move into a corporate finance role at Raytheon, the University, or a hospital system.
Related Careers in Tucson
Accountants in Tucson often compare these related career guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a CPA to work as an accountant in Tucson?
No. Many Tucson accounting jobs - staff accountant, corporate accountant, government accountant - do not require a CPA. The license is needed to sign audit reports, represent clients before the IRS, and hold the CPA title, and it opens higher-paying senior and partner roles. Plenty of accountants build strong careers without it.
How long does it take to become a CPA in Arizona?
Plan on four to six years overall: a four-year bachelor's degree, roughly 30 extra credits to reach 150 hours (often a master's or certificate), passing the four-section CPA Exam, and 2,000 hours of supervised experience. Arizona lets you sit for the exam at 120 hours, so you can test while finishing the remaining credits and experience.
Which Tucson employers pay accountants the most?
Large employers and specialized firms tend to top local pay. Raytheon, Tucson Electric Power, and the University of Arizona offer competitive corporate and public salaries, while senior and management-track roles at CPA firms like BeachFleischman reward the CPA credential and experience with six-figure potential.
Can accountants work remotely in Tucson?
Increasingly, yes. Many Tucson firms and corporate finance teams offer hybrid schedules, and some staff and senior accounting roles are fully remote. Client-facing audit work and month-end close still often bring accountants on-site, especially during busy season.
Where can I study accounting in Tucson?
Pima Community College offers accounting associate degrees and certificates, and the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management runs a top-ranked bachelor's in accounting plus a Master of Accounting. The Pima2UA transfer pathway lets you start affordably at Pima and finish a bachelor's at the University.
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