By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | Skillability for Accounting Firms Last updated: 2026 | 15-minute read The Short Answer (TL;DR) CPAs are declining for structural, compounding reasons: the 150-hour education rule adds a costly fifth year that depresses entry, starting salaries lag tech and finance by $20,000–$60,000, roughly 75%
