How much does an accountant earn?

Simply put, accountancy is a brilliant career choice. An exciting, yet stable, truly rewarding profession with consistently high levels of job satisfaction and remuneration, with strong salary averages across the globe. The profession is incredibly broad in terms of the industries and sectors it serves, and this is a big factor in determining the compensation packages offered by employers.

Roles in the accounting and finance space in the UK range from £23,500 to £148,000 a year*. The salary of an accountancy or finance professional depends not only on location - including the town/city and country they work in, but also their experience and specialist knowledge. The size and nature of an employer, alongside the industry it operates within, will also influence salary levels. 

Of course, it varies on a regional basis, but ACCA qualified accountants typically earn more than the average accountant. As reported by PQMagazine* in January 2025, Hays' latest UK Salary and Recruiting Trends guide identified the average salary of a part-qualified accountant as £45,000, moving up to £58,000 for finalists in the UK. Once you move up to CFO or leadership positions, salaries jump dramatically. Estimated Salaries for CFOs range from £92,000 to £148,000, and a Head of Finance position could command a salary from £63,000 to £98,500** based on London, UK average salaries.

Salaries for accountants by region / market

The high salaries commanded by ACCA finalists and members are driven by the demand of the world’s top companies, who actively seek accountancy professionals with those 4 highly respected & recognised letters behind their name, ACCA. The country these employers are based plays a large part in determining the salaries and compensation packages offered, primarily due to variations in the cost of living, socio-economic conditions, regulatory frameworks governing accounting practices, the demand for accounting skills in that region, and of course the level of professional qualifications required to operate in any given country.

Global ACCA accountant salaries, be it part or fully qualified with the ACCA designation, consistently earn more than the national average salary.

Why do ACCA members command such high salaries?

Employers who elect to hire ACCA trained/qualified students or members are not just looking to hire accountants. They are seeking bright finance professionals who think bigger, who can push the strategic narrative forward and solve big world issues be they environmental, ethical or supply chain dilemmas. All whilst embracing the latest tech such as generative AI. ACCA is the qualification to supercharge your career – visit AB magazine to read interviews from members who are actively changing the world. 

Differences in earnings for various accounting roles

Accounting specialisms are numerous and wide-ranging; from auditing to management, bookkeeping to forensics. The profession has many roles and job titles that quite often command different salaries. You can easily compare salary levels for different roles by using the Role Insights feature on our careers website. It publishes up-to-date, estimated salary levels and required expertise by role title.

Unsure what the right role for you is? Check out our Career Navigator website to review the different roles which form part of the finance function. It will help you identify the combination of exams, skills and experience you will need to progress in your chosen sector. 

Impact of qualifications on accountancy earnings

The type of qualifications achieved through accountancy studies, combined with job title and the nature of the work you will be doing, are significant factors in terms of determining your wage or compensation package.

Progressing through the ACCA Qualification will see you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours employers are looking for within the workplace today. As your knowledge deepens, you can progress within your area of specialism, and see your earnings rise as your job titles advance.

For example, an entry-level financial accounting role is that of the accounts assistant (who record the varied day-to-day transactions of the organisation). As you build your knowledge and skills throughout your learning and experience, you can progress to become a financial accountant, CAPEX accountant, or group (consolidation) accountant – being responsible for all aspects of the financials, including the preparation of the financial statements for your organisation, as well as likely managing a team. And post qualification, by undertaking continuing professional development (CPD), you could move forward to become a finance director and move onwards to C-suite roles like the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).