Accounting Principals has released its 2019 Salary Guide, containing national, regional and local salary data and total cash compensation figures, along with detailed job descriptions for the most heavily sought-after accounting and finance positions.

The figures in the 2019 Salary Guide are based on national averages, compiled through Accounting Principals’ partnership with CareerBliss. To further validate the data, each office in the Accounting Principals nationwide branch network reviewed its local market data and revised some figures to ensure local accuracy. Along with the latest salary figures, the guide includes advice on retaining talent and why effective retention strategies are more important than ever. It also describes the top-paying industries for accountants and auditors; the most in-demand accounting skills and core competencies; ways to reduce employee turnover in public accounting; and the need to reskill talent.

Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that total U.S. unemployment reached a new low this year, declining to 3.8 percent in May. For the financial activities industry, unemployment is even lower: just 2.3 percent as of July 2018.

“For the first time ever, BLS data is showing that the number of unfilled jobs in the U.S. is higher than the number of unemployed workers,” said Accounting Principals president David Alexander in a statement. “Couple that with the extreme demand for accounting and finance professionals and you discover an employment climate driving both wage growth and job changes. Whether employers are looking at compensation as a way to attract the best talent or to insulate their workforce from turnover, our salary guide delivers the most up-to-date, wide-ranging information available in the marketplace.”

To download a copy of the guide, click here.