Utah’s jobs in the accounting industry are anticipated to grow 33% before 2032 compared to a national average of 4% for each state, according to Forbes. 

Four other cities in the country including Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Tucson, Little Rock and Tulsa made the top five list.

The Forbes report noted Salt Lake City, known for being the “crossroads of the west,” has the nation’s largest number of industrial banks to go along with its burgeoning tech industry and being a winter sports destination. It highlighted the state’s economic growth according to data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis which reported a gross domestic product increase of 340% from 2003 to 2023. 

Christopher Scott, a financial reporting state accountant for Utah and Sandy resident, said it’s not a surprise to him that Salt Lake City made the top of the list because of the focus on industry, educational opportunities and job opening outlook in the state.

Growth and industry in the state

“Utah has always been able to build up industry and attract businesses,” Scott said. “It's just a lot more businesses, a lot more people coming here, and it's just creating more opportunities, especially in accounting—these big organizations and businesses need accountants.”

Scott noted that the constant growth and expansion happening in Utah is leading to "a wider need for accountants in Utah, especially right now." This growing demand for accountants makes Utah an attractive place for the accounting profession.

Utah is also home to the branches of the four largest accounting firms in the country, per Forbes, including Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young (EY) and KPMG.

Education opportunities for accountants

Scott recently earned his Master of Professional Accounting with an emphasis in forensic accounting from Colorado State University Global online. His first job was at Salt Lake County as an accountant. He said that resources not only at the university but from the county and state, including financial help, allowed him to work and continue his accounting education online.

“I would say CSU has definitely been the biggest help as far as getting me through getting those certifications, like, what would be the best route to get them, maintain them, and pay for them,” Scott said.

In addition to online schools, schools like Brigham Young University, the University of Utah and Utah State in the state offer competitive programs for the accounting field.

Growth in open positions

The Department of Workforce Services anticipates a large job surge in the field of accountants and auditors in Utah, at a rate “faster than average employment growth with a high volume of annual job openings.” The department determines that statewide about 1,810 annual positions will be open for accountants, the majority of the positions (1,050) in the Salt Lake Metro area.

“The need for replacements, rather than business expansion is projected to make up the majority of job openings in the coming decade,” the outlook said. “Demand for accountants may lead to good prospects for entry-level positions.”