What Salary Can I Expect After Qualifying ACCA?
Realistic salary expectations for newly qualified ACCA members in 2026 by role, sector and location.
What Newly Qualified ACCA Members Earn
In the UK, newly qualified ACCA members typically earn £38,000-£55,000 depending on sector, location, and employer - a 20-40% uplift over part-qualified salaries.
By Sector
Financial services: £48,000-£65,000 in London; £38,000-£52,000 regionally. Big 4/mid-tier practice: £42,000-£58,000 London. Industry corporates: £40,000-£58,000. Public sector/NHS: £36,000-£46,000 with strong pension benefits.
Career Progression After Qualifying
The biggest salary leaps come 2-5 years post-qualification: Senior Accountant (£48,000-£65,000), Finance Manager (£55,000-£80,000), Financial Controller (£75,000-£120,000), Finance Director (£90,000-£160,000+).
Does Sector Matter?
Yes - sector choice often matters more than qualification alone. ACCA members in oil and gas or investment banking typically earn significantly more than those in charity or public sector at equivalent experience levels.
Further Reading
Study with Learnsignal: Get qualified faster and reach those salary bands sooner. Start ACCA with Learnsignal.
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Johnny Meagher
Expert Tutor at Learnsignal
Qualified professional with years of experience in teaching and helping students achieve their accounting qualifications.
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