Salary data is based on the Fort Smith, AR-OK metropolitan area and applied to Fort Smith using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Financial Managers Salaries in Fort Smith, AR

Average Base Pay

$134,189/yr

11% below national average

Monthly

$11,182

Hourly

$65

Cost Index

Financial Managers in Fort Smith, AR earn an average of $134,189 per year, with most salaries falling between $107,351 and $161,027 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 11% below the national average, Fort Smith offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 78. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Fort Smith.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$101K
Low

$134K
Median

$168K
High

25th percentile: $114K75th percentile: $154K

About Financial Managers

Financial Controllers oversee all accounting operations within an organization—managing the general ledger, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with accounting standards. The controller is the chief accounting officer in many organizations, responsible for the accuracy and completeness of financial statements and for ensuring that accounting policies comply with GAAP or IFRS. They oversee the month-end and year-end close process, direct accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and tax compliance functions, and manage the external audit relationship. Controllers design and maintain internal controls that prevent fraud and ensure the accuracy of financial reporting—a critical responsibility for publicly traded companies operating under Sarbanes-Oxley. They develop accounting policies for complex transactions and provide technical accounting guidance to the business. FP&A functions often interface closely with the controller to obtain the accurate historical data needed for forecasting. Controllers in larger organizations manage teams of senior accountants, accounting managers, and AP/AR clerks. CPA licensure is nearly universal at the controller level, and the role often requires ten or more years of accounting experience.

What Financial Managers Do

Oversee the month-end and year-end financial close process
Prepare and review financial statements for accuracy and GAAP compliance
Manage accounting operations including AP, AR, payroll, and general ledger
Design and maintain internal controls over financial reporting
Manage the external audit and coordinate deliverables with auditors
Provide technical accounting guidance on complex transactions
Develop and enforce accounting policies and procedures
Support tax compliance activities in coordination with the tax function

Key Skills & Qualifications

GAAP and financial reporting standards knowledge
Internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance
Financial close management and process improvement
ERP financial systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
External audit management
Technical accounting research and policy development
CPA licensure
Team leadership and staff development

Career Path

Senior Accountant / Audit Manager
Accounting Manager
Controller
Assistant Controller / Controller
CFO

Financial Managers Market in Fort Smith, AR

Salary Competitiveness

Fort Smith currently pays 11% below the national median for Financial Managers. This gap can reflect a lower regional cost base, thinner employer density, or a surplus of qualified candidates relative to open roles—factors worth factoring into any offer negotiation or relocation calculation.

Cost of Living Impact

Fort Smith's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 25% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Financial Managers earning $134,189 in Fort Smith reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

-11%

Cost Pressure

25%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$97,958

Monthly

$8,163

Weekly

$1,884

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $134,189 for a Financial Managers in Fort Smith translates to roughly $8,163 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,020—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $6,143 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Fort Smith's current market.

How far does this salary go in Fort Smith?

Cost of Living in Fort Smith

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Fort Smith, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,162/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$387/mo

🚗Transportation$105/mo

💡Utilities$136/mo

🏥Healthcare$230/mo

Monthly$2,020

Annual$24,240

Disposable Income$6,143

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Fort Smith to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$8,163

Living Costs

$2,020

Disposable

$6,143

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $8,163, your estimated living costs in Fort Smith are $2,020 ($24,240/yr). This leaves $6,143 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Fort Smith's cost of living is 22% below the national average.

Overall, a Financial Managers earning $134,189 in Fort Smith falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 78, Fort Smith is 22% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Fort Smith continue to evolve.