salary
⏱ 2 min read
📅 Updated May 2026
Average Accountant Salary UK 2026: ACA, ACCA & CIMA Pay
Average accountant salary UK 2026 — £25,000 to £90,000+. ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualification premiums.
⚡ 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. Average Accountant Salary UK 2026| Experience Level | Typical Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|
| Entry level (0–2 years) | £25,000–£32,000 (AAT/part-qualified) | Graduate / newly qualified | | Mid-level (2–5 years) | £38,000–£55,000 (ACCA/CIMA qualified) | Experienced practitioner | | Senior (5–10 years) | £60,000–£90,000+ (senior/finance director) | Senior / specialist | | Senior+ / Management | £90,000+ | Head of / Director level |
Salary by Region UK 2026| Region | Typical Salary Range | vs National Average |
|---|
| London | £10,000–£20,000 above average | Highest — cost of living premium | | South East | £5,000–£10,000 above average | Strong demand | | Midlands | Around national average | — | | North of England | £2,000–£5,000 below average | Lower cost of living | | Scotland | Around national average | Public sector strong | | Wales / N. Ireland | £3,000–£6,000 below average | Lowest regional rates |
What Affects Your Salary?- Qualification — ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualifications command significant premiums
- 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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The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.
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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.
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