Accounting/Finance Job Market (Atlanta: salary, living, young professionals)

[Luke29]

I'm a 26 yr old/m, soon to be 27. Been living here in DC metro (Alexandria, VA) for a little over 2 yrs now. I'm currently considering a move to a different city (one of them, Atlanta). I pretty much wanted to know what the cost of living is in ATL, and how the job market is for those in the accounting/finance specialities. For instance, I live just about 9 miles from downtown DC and my single bedroom apt. costs me $ 1200 ( 665 sq ft, believe it or not it is a steal)....The flipside, however, there are very many, actually an overflow of opportunities for young professionals in Accounting&Finance. At any given season, it is hard for one to remain unemployed for over a month. Compensation is very generous as well for the most part. Just to give you an idea; On average, a 25/26 y/o in accounting/finance makes upper 40s to low 50s (thousands)

How does ATL compare in the same categories? I have seen a couple posts about traffic, but wouldn't worry about that b/c i'm quite sure it is nowhere close to ours over here.

PS: I have a BS in Finance.

Please Advise.

[lane421]

I've been working for 4 years in the Accounting field and in my opinion there is always a great need for accounting/finance people - especially those with experience. I've changed jobs a few times and could be very picky in where I went. I know public accounting is always looking but industry seems to have a ton of job openings as well (as many of my friends from public, including myself, have left in the last few years).

I actually went to HS in the DC area and I can tell you cost of living is much lower down here. I would say you could get a one bedroom in the city for $800-1000/month, and that would be for a pretty nice one. And by in the city - I mean right in town - like walking to work. Probably much less the further out you go. $1,200 does sound like a deal for DC! But like everywhere - depends on what you are looking for.

And as for salary - I would think up in that area you would be making more than that (no offense). Without that info - I would have given you a range around 50-60k for acctg/finance in Atlanta with 3-4 years experience. But that is just my two cents.

Hope this helps! I love Atlanta as a young professional - so I would highly recommend!