<p>Here's the scoop. There are accounting firms--generally the best known are the largest CPA firms--known as the "Big 4". These are Deloitte & Touche, PWC (PriceWatershouse Cooper), KPMG (Peat Marwick), and Ernst & Young (E&Y). (Note: KPMG was formed in 1987 with the merger of Peat Marwick International (PMI) and Klynveld Main Goerdeler (KMG)--but it's just known by Peat Marwick). These groups also do consulting on accounting/finance matters. They also have separate firms (like Bearing Point for KPMG), which are required to be separate so they can consult on non-accounting matters.</p>
<p>Working for these firms gets you the best training--but pays the worst at the low end of accounting (and it's all on salary). However, the work is super steady--and there is a lot to do. It's long hours, but it's how you prove you deserve to stay with the firm. On the other hand, the consulting spots (also on salary) pay well. Once you get past the first two years and earn your CPA, you either are cut loose--or the pay starts going up--sometimes way up. If you make partner, the pay is in the $250K to 300K range on average. </p>
<p>In addition, there are many separate consulting firms that specialize in certain areas only--some in accounting, some in compliance and tax, some in IT, some in strategy, etc. Generally you can work for these firms on either a salary or hourly basis (also known as 1099 basis, since you receive a 1099 at the end of the year showing how much earnings you have to report to the IRS). If you work hourly, it may be permanent work--or only a temporary job that lasts as long as the project you are on. Since the work tends to be spotty, the pay tends to be a whole lot higher (obviously, you are going to be out-of work when you are in-between jobs or assignments).</p>
<p>Rates here vary depending on the job and the assignment. Low rates may be $40-45/hour; higher rates may be $80-120/hour with travel to the location paid, hotel paid, flights home on weekends paid, meals paid, and sometimes a bonus for early finish of the assignment provided. Lastly, the highest rates are obviously for the jobs you can find yourself. In this case, you create your own company, and do the job and the billing direct.</p>
<p>Since there are so many different consulting firms, I won't even bother listing the larger ones here--you will see them advertise their jobs on monster or dice all the time, though. They really only deal with people with degrees and at least 1 to 2 years of experience, though--since their clients don't want to do the on-the-job training for the pay they are providing.</p>