ACCA Salaries – What Can You Earn?

Introduction

The ACCA qualification remains one of the most widely recognised professional accounting credentials globally. In 2026 demand for ACCA-qualified professionals continues to be supported by competitive hiring and salary growth in the accounting and finance job market.

Recent salary data from recruitment and salary surveys show that accounting pay levels have generally risen in 2024–2025, with employers increasing compensation to attract and retain qualified talent. In Ireland and the UK, salaries for ACCA part-qualified and fully qualified accountants vary by experience, location and role. (AB Magazine)

Why ACCA Still Pays Off in 2026

The ACCA qualification continues to offer strong earning potential because it is recognised by employers across practice, industry and financial services.

• Employers in the UK and Ireland remain actively hiring finance professionals, indicating ongoing demand for ACCA skills. (AB Magazine)
• Salary guides show increases in base pay and benefits for accounting and finance roles, including part-qualified and newly qualified professionals. (AB Magazine)
• ACCA members with significant experience — for example in finance leadership roles — can earn salaries that exceed typical mid-career compensation. (The Knowledge Academy)

Because ACCA covers technical accounting, financial management and ethical standards, employers treat it as currency for higher-value roles compared with generic accounting qualifications.

Key Salary Drivers in 2026

Salary outcomes for ACCA professionals in 2026 are influenced by several measurable factors:

Experience

• Salaries rise with experience: entry and trainee roles are below qualified levels, while experienced and senior roles (e.g., finance managers, directors) command higher pay. (Morgan McKinley)

Qualification Stage

• Trainee and part-qualified ACCA candidates earn significantly less than fully qualified members. (Morgan McKinley)
• Fully qualified candidates after ACCA often move into mid- and senior-career salary brackets. (ACCA Global)

Location

• Salaries differ by labour market: London and other major UK cities often pay more than regional markets; Dublin and other Irish regions show variation across roles. (ACCA Global)

Sector and Employer

• Large firms and multinational companies generally offer higher salary scales compared with smaller local employers.

Market Conditions

• Broad labour-market trends, such as continued hiring demand for accounting and finance, have put upward pressure on salaries. (AB Magazine)

Collectively these factors explain why ACCA salaries are not fixed figures, but a range reflecting experience, role and location.

Salary Ranges by Experience Level (UK Focus)

Entry-Level / Trainee Accountant

For candidates starting out or working as accounting assistants without full ACCA qualification:

• Graduate or trainee roles typically start around £25,000–£30,000, depending on region and firm size. This aligns with broader accountancy starting salaries reported in UK salary guides. (Reed Accountancy & Finance)
• Roles such as accounts assistant/clerks often fall in the £25,000–£29,000 band. (Allstaff)

Part-Qualified ACCA

Accountants who have passed some ACCA exams but are not fully qualified usually earn more than entry-level, but remain below fully qualified levels:

• Typical base pay for part-qualified accountants across the UK is around £35,000–£42,000. (Counted Recruitment)
• Salaries can trend higher in higher-cost regions such as London or the South East compared with other UK regions. (Robert Half)

Newly Qualified ACCA

Once qualified with ACCA, accountants generally see a noticeable uplift:

• Recruitment data and salary guides indicate newly qualified ACCA roles broadly sit around £50,000–£55,000 nationally. (Counted Recruitment)
• Specialist or employer-reported data for London show median salaries for newly qualified accountants often around £48,000–£58,000. (Glassdoor)
• Market-wide averages for qualified ACCA members in the UK tend to fall in the £55,000–£70,000 range depending on sector and company size. (Abeel School of Accountancy)

Mid-Career (3–7+ Years Post-Qualification)

As ACCA professionals build experience, salaries typically rise:

• A qualified financial or management accountant commonly earns £48,000–£58,000 at mid-career level, with the potential to reach £58,000–£68,000 as experience deepens. (Allstaff)
• Finance business partners and FP&A roles often surpass typical accounting pay bands, with mid-range salaries around £55,000–£75,000+ for those with relevant experience. (Allstaff)

Senior and Leadership Roles

Senior ACCA holders and finance leaders command materially higher pay:

• Financial controllers commonly earn £70,000–£95,000+ depending on company size and sector. (Allstaff)
• Finance directors / CFO packages vary widely but can reach £125,000–£225,000+ in larger organisations or strategic leadership positions. (Allstaff)
• Even within senior professional roles (e.g., qualified financial accountant), London salary data shows median ranges of £64,000–£79,000 and higher for specialised sub-roles. (Robert Half)

Notes on Regional Variation

• Salaries in London and the South East typically sit above the UK average due to higher local cost of living and competitive labour markets. (Robert Half)
• Outside London, median salaries for roles requiring ACCA remain strong but often sit £5,000–£10,000 lower than capital-based figures. (IT Jobs Watch)

Role / Experience Level	Typical UK Salary Range (£ per year)	Notes / Source
Accounts Assistant / Entry-Level	£25,000 – £29,000	Allstaff 2026 Salary Survey (general finance) (Allstaff)
Part-Qualified ACCA	£35,000 – £42,000	Counted Survey (part-qualified) (Counted Recruitment)
Part-Qualified Financial Accountant – London	£30,000 – £40,000	Morgan McKinley London data (Morgan McKinley)
Newly Qualified Accountant – UK	£50,000 – £55,000	Counted Survey (Counted Recruitment)
Newly Qualified Accountant – London (recruiter data)	£60,000 – £70,000	Morgan McKinley London (Morgan McKinley)
Financial/Management Accountant (mid-career)	£48,000 – £58,000	Allstaff survey (Allstaff)
Finance Business Partner / FP&A (mid-senior)	£55,000 – £85,000+	Allstaff survey (Allstaff)
Finance Controller / Senior Accountant	£70,000 – £95,000+	Allstaff survey (Allstaff)
Finance Director / CFO	£125,000 – £225,000+	Allstaff survey (Allstaff)

ACCA Salaries by Location in the UK

Location remains one of the biggest factors influencing salary levels for ACCA professionals. Differences are mainly driven by cost of living, employer concentration and local labour demand.

London

London consistently offers the highest accounting salaries in the UK.

• Newly qualified accountants in London commonly earn £60,000–£70,000.
  (Morgan McKinley UK Salary Guide)
• Qualified financial accountants in London are typically reported in the £64,000–£79,000 range.
  (Robert Half UK)
• Senior roles such as financial controller frequently exceed £80,000–£90,000, depending on company size.

Higher salaries reflect:

• Concentration of multinational employers
• Financial services and professional services demand
• Higher cost of living

South East (Outside London)

The South East generally pays above the UK national average, though below London levels.

• Newly qualified accountants commonly earn £50,000–£58,000.
• Mid-career qualified accountants often fall in the £55,000–£65,000 range.

Recruitment firms consistently report strong competition for qualified accountants in this region, particularly in commercial and industry roles.

Major UK Cities

In cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol:

• Newly qualified salaries typically range from £45,000–£52,000.
• Mid-career qualified roles often sit between £50,000–£60,000.

These cities benefit from:

• Growing regional finance hubs
• Lower cost of living compared with London
• Strong demand from shared service centres and large employers

Rest of the UK

Outside major cities, salaries tend to be lower but remain competitive.

• Newly qualified accountants commonly earn £40,000–£48,000.
• Part-qualified roles are often advertised between £30,000–£38,000.

While base pay is lower, many roles offer:

• Shorter commuting times
• Lower housing costs
• Greater work–life balance

Summary Table: UK Salary Variation by Location

Location	Newly Qualified ACCA (£)	Mid-Career Qualified (£)
London	£60,000 – £70,000	£65,000 – £80,000+
South East	£50,000 – £58,000	£55,000 – £65,000
Major Cities	£45,000 – £52,000	£50,000 – £60,000
Rest of UK	£40,000 – £48,000	£48,000 – £55,000

Based on UK salary guides from Morgan McKinley, Robert Half and national recruitment surveys.

Bonuses, Benefits and Total Compensation

Base salary is only part of total earnings for many ACCA professionals. UK salary surveys consistently show that bonuses and benefits play a meaningful role, particularly at qualified and senior levels.

Bonuses

• Annual bonuses are common in commercial and financial services roles.
• Typical bonus ranges reported in UK salary guides are:
  • 5%–10% for newly qualified accountants
  • 10%–20%+ for senior and leadership roles
• Bonus availability varies significantly by employer performance and sector.

Pensions

• Employer pension contributions typically range between 3%–10%, depending on company policy.
• Larger employers and listed companies tend to offer higher contributions.

Other Common Benefits

UK employers frequently include:

• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Enhanced annual leave
• Hybrid or remote working arrangements
• Study support for ongoing professional development

While these benefits do not increase headline salary figures, they materially affect total compensation and job attractiveness.

Salary Differences by Sector

ACCA salaries vary notably depending on where an accountant works. The same qualification can produce different outcomes across practice, industry and financial services.

Accountancy Practice

• Salaries in practice are generally lower at early career stages, particularly during training.
• Newly qualified accountants in practice typically earn less than their industry counterparts, especially outside London.
• Progression can be structured but salary growth may be slower unless moving into management or partner-track roles.

Practice roles often offer:

• Strong technical grounding
• Broad exposure to clients
• Long-term progression potential

Industry / Commercial Roles

Industry remains the most common destination for ACCA members post-qualification.

• Commercial roles typically offer higher base salaries than practice.
• Financial accountant, management accountant and finance business partner roles are strongly represented in salary surveys.
• Mid-career commercial roles often outperform practice roles on pay.

This is reflected in salary guides showing consistent demand for:

• Financial reporting roles
• FP&A and business partnering
• Commercial finance positions

Financial Services

Financial services continues to sit at the upper end of the salary spectrum.

• Roles in banking, investment firms and fintech commonly pay above general industry averages.
• Bonus structures are more prevalent, particularly in London.
• Total compensation can exceed standard salary bands even where base pay appears similar.

Competition for these roles is typically higher, with stronger requirements for technical expertise and commercial awareness.

Public Sector and Not-for-Profit

• Public sector salaries are generally lower than private sector roles.
• Pay structures are transparent and banded.
• Benefits such as pension schemes and job security can partially offset lower base pay.

These roles are often chosen for stability rather than salary maximisation.

Sector Comparison Summary

Sector	Typical Pay Level	Key Characteristics
Practice	Lower early-career; steady progression	Strong training, structured paths
Industry / Commercial	Mid to high	Higher base pay, broad role options
Financial Services	High	Bonuses, competitive market
Public / Not-for-Profit	Lower	Stability, strong pensions

Salary Trends and Outlook for 2027

UK salary surveys published across 2024–2026 show a consistent theme: demand for qualified accounting professionals has remained strong, even as wider hiring activity has fluctuated.

Continued Demand for Qualified Accountants

Recruitment firms and professional bodies have reported ongoing shortages of experienced and fully qualified accountants, particularly in:

• Financial reporting
• Management accounting
• Commercial finance and FP&A
• Finance business partnering

This has contributed to upward pressure on salaries for qualified professionals, especially at newly qualified and mid-career levels.

Moderation After Rapid Growth

Salary growth accelerated significantly in 2021–2023 following labour shortages and post-pandemic hiring. More recent surveys indicate:

• Pay increases have continued, but at a slower pace
• Employers are more cautious on large salary jumps
• Counteroffers remain common for qualified staff

This suggests that while salaries are still rising, the market has moved away from the sharp inflation-driven increases seen earlier in the decade.

Focus on Skills, Not Just Qualification

UK salary data increasingly shows differentiation based on role and capability rather than qualification alone.

Higher pay continues to be associated with:

• Commercial finance experience
• Strong systems knowledge (ERP, reporting tools)
• Ability to support decision-making rather than pure compliance

ACCA qualification remains a baseline requirement, but experience and role scope now play a larger role in salary progression.

Regional and Sector Effects Likely to Persist

There is no evidence in current salary surveys that regional pay differences are narrowing.

• London continues to lead UK salary levels
• Financial services remains the highest-paying sector
• Industry roles continue to outperform practice on base salary

These patterns are expected to remain broadly consistent into 2027, based on current recruitment commentary.

Based on current UK salary surveys:

• Qualified ACCA professionals continue to be in demand
• Salary growth is ongoing but more controlled than in previous years
• Experience, sector and location are likely to remain the main drivers of pay progression

Rather than large year-on-year increases, the outlook points towards steady, role-driven salary growth for ACCA professionals moving into 2027.

How to Maximise Your ACCA Salary in the UK

While qualification is essential, UK salary surveys consistently show that earnings are influenced by career choices after qualifying, not simply by holding ACCA membership.

Move Beyond Compliance Roles

Roles focused solely on statutory reporting or routine accounting tend to plateau earlier.

Higher salaries are more commonly associated with:

• Management accounting
• Finance business partnering
• FP&A and commercial analysis
• Roles supporting operational or strategic decision-making

These positions typically appear in higher salary bands across UK recruitment guides.

Gain Commercial Experience

Accountants with exposure to budgeting, forecasting and performance analysis often progress faster than those in purely technical roles.

Employers value professionals who can:

• Interpret financial data
• Support management decisions
• Communicate financial insight clearly

This experience is frequently linked with stronger salary progression in industry roles.

Be Strategic About Sector Choice

UK salary data shows consistent differences by sector:

• Industry roles generally pay more than practice at qualified level
• Financial services roles often offer the highest total compensation
• Public sector roles prioritise stability over salary growth

Moving sector post-qualification is one of the most common ways accountants increase earnings.

Consider Location Carefully

Geography remains a major factor in UK salary levels.

• London and the South East continue to pay above national averages
• Regional roles may offer lower base pay but improved cost of living
• Hybrid and flexible working can widen job opportunities beyond local markets

Some accountants increase salary by moving roles while remaining geographically flexible.

Change Roles When Appropriate

UK recruitment data shows that significant salary increases often occur when changing employer rather than through internal progression alone.

While continuity has value, many qualified accountants see material salary movement when:

• Moving after qualification
• Transitioning into broader roles
• Taking on increased responsibility

This is reflected in the frequency of counteroffers reported by recruitment firms.

Maintain Professional Development

Although ACCA qualification is the foundation, continued learning supports progression into higher-paid roles.

Areas commonly linked with stronger demand include:

• Financial modelling
• Systems and ERP exposure
• Data and reporting tools
• Business partnering skills

Ongoing development supports access to more senior and better-paid positions.

UK salary data consistently indicates that higher ACCA earnings are driven by:

• Role scope, not just qualification
• Commercial and analytical experience
• Sector and location choices
• Willingness to move roles strategically

ACCA provides the platform — but long-term salary progression depends on how that qualification is applied in practice.

Conclusion

ACCA remains a strong and widely recognised qualification in the UK, with clear earning progression as experience and responsibility increase.

UK salary data for 2026 shows that:

• Entry and part-qualified roles provide a solid foundation
• Qualification delivers a meaningful step up in pay
• Mid-career and senior earnings are driven by role scope, sector and location

While salaries vary across the country, the overall pattern is consistent: accountants who combine ACCA with commercial experience, relevant sector exposure and ongoing development continue to see steady income growth.

For students and members alike, ACCA provides a credible route to long-term career stability and competitive earning potential within the UK finance profession.