The No. 1 In-Demand Job that Pays Over $100,000 with Degree of Autonomy

The most in-demand remote job companies are hiring for is not in tech but, surprisingly, in accountancy, which is currently the most popular work-from-home job in the market today.

Accountants have secured the top spot in FlexJobs' annual ranking of America's most sought-after remote jobs due to their increasing demand across finance, healthcare, and government industries.

Bridging The Gap on the Accounting Industry's Shortage

To bridge the gap of the shortage of American accountants caused by retiring baby boomers and a sharp decline of students enrolling in accounting programs, companies attract a new generation of talent by modernizing roles, improving work-life balance, and embracing remote work to reassure people of "autonomy and flexibility." Julia Pollack, Chief Economist at ZipRecruiter, told CNBC Make It.

Booming Demand for Accountants

The demand for accountants, driven by fast-paced changing tax regulations and financial reporting standards in recent years, has surpassed the finance and consulting sectors, indicating that the share of open accountant roles is projected to increase from about 8% in 2019 to nearly 20% in 2023, according to a ZipRecruiter data shared with CNBC Make It. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts at least 4% growth in the number of jobs for accountants over the next decade, with more than 15,000 jobs added annually.

A Need for Mandatory Accounting Compliance

Pollack emphasizes that compliance is crucial in today's business environment as industry regulations expose organizations to increased financial and reputational risks, where negligence is a significant concern that can lead to legal liabilities that businesses cannot afford.

Tony Frana, a career expert at FlexJobs, notes that essential tasks for accountants, such as managing financial records, analyzing data, and preparing tax returns, can be easily performed remotely. Accounting has long been traditionally recognized as a robust field for remote careers. Frana anticipates a notable surge in accounting remote job opportunities as we head into the tax season.

Remote Accounting Jobs Recruitment

Kforce, Supporting Strategies, and Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH) are listed on FlexJobs as some of the prominent companies recruiting for remote accounting positions. According to the BLS, accounting positions typically require a bachelor's degree or a related field, along with certification in a specific area, such as becoming a licensed public accountant. Accountants in the U.S. receive an average salary of $68,000. However, according to ZipRecruiter data, experienced accountants can earn from $150,000 to $200,000 annually.

Accounting as an Important and Stable Job

While Bloomberg notes that the Big Four accounting firms, namely KPMG, PwC, EY, and Deloitte, cut thousands of jobs in 2023, Pollack emphasizes that such layoffs are uncommon, stating that accountants are a highly valued employee, so the risk of getting laid off is pretty low. Being a trusted inner circle member who sees all the mess and brings the company out of trouble, "It's a very important, stable job."