Average Accountant Salary UK 2026: ACA, ACCA & CIMA Pay
Average accountant salary UK 2026 — £25,000 to £90,000+. ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualification premiums.
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Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor, Kaeltripton
Published8 Apr 2026
Last reviewed14 May 2026
✓ Fact-checked
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⚡ Average Accountant Salary UK 2026 — Updated April 2026 Average: £42,000/year | Range: £25,000–£90,000+ | Entry: £25,000–£32,000 (AAT/part-qualified) | Senior: £60,000–£90,000+ (senior/finance director)
The average accountant salary in the UK varies significantly by experience, location, sector, and employer size. This guide covers the full salary range, regional differences, and what affects pay in 2026.
Sector — Big 4 and financial services pay 20–40% above average
Specialisation — Tax, audit, and forensic accounting attract premiums
Location — London pays 25–40% above UK average
Industry — Finance, tech, and energy sectors pay highest accountancy salaries
What is the average accountant salary in the UK?
The average accountant salary in the UK is approximately £42,000/year in 2026. Part-qualified accountants earn £25,000–£32,000. Fully qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) earn £38,000–£55,000. Senior accountants and finance managers earn £55,000–£75,000. Finance directors can earn £90,000+.
Does the ACA qualification increase salary?
Yes significantly. ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountants) qualified accountants typically earn 30–50% more than unqualified peers. Big 4 newly qualified ACAs typically earn £45,000–£55,000 in London, rising quickly with experience.
What is the difference between ACA, ACCA and CIMA?
ACA (ICAEW) is the most prestigious UK accountancy qualification, preferred by Big 4 and financial services. ACCA is more internationally recognised and popular in practice. CIMA focuses on management accounting and is preferred in industry. All three command similar salaries once qualified.
Sources: ICAEW salary survey 2026 · ACCA salary guide 2026 · ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 · Glassdoor UK accountant salaries
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CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
