Chartered Accountant Salary: Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay in the UK

Understanding the Chartered Accountant Salary in the UK

If you are considering a career in accountancy or are already qualified, knowing what a chartered accountant salary looks like is essential for planning your finances. Salaries in this profession vary widely depending on experience, location, employer, and the qualification body (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc.). This guide breaks down the latest data from official sources and reputable salary surveys, comparing hourly, weekly, and annual pay.

Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay: Key Differences

When looking at any salary, it helps to understand the difference between hourly rates, weekly earnings, and annual pay. The UK Minimum Wage sets statutory minimum hourly rates, but professional salaries like those for chartered accountants are well above these floors. The ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025 provides the most reliable official picture.

For all full-time employees in the UK, median weekly earnings were £766.60 in April 2025, and median gross annual earnings were £39,039. Chartered accountants earn significantly more. The ONS classifies chartered and certified accountants under SOC 2020 unit group 2421. Their full-time median annual salary was £50,062 in April 2025. This means a chartered accountant on the median earns about 28% more than the typical full-time worker.

To put that in hourly terms: if a chartered accountant earning £50,062 works a standard 37.5-hour week for 52 weeks, their hourly rate is roughly £25.60. That is more than double the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour (for employees aged 21+). Of course, actual hours vary, and many accountants work more than the standard week, especially during busy periods.

Salary Ranges by Career Stage

The ONS data gives a broad picture, but it does not break down by career stage. For that, we turn to the ACCA and the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2026 guide. According to ACCA, trainee-level roles start at around £22,000, while ACCA finalists earn between £35,000 and £70,000 across the UK. Newly qualified accountants can expect salaries from £45,000 to £65,000. Those with five or more years of post-qualified experience commonly earn between £65,000 and £110,000.

At senior levels, earning potential increases sharply. Financial Directors can earn between £85,000 and £300,000, and Group CFO salaries range from £150,000 to £500,000. These top-end figures reflect the significant rewards available at the highest levels of the profession.

Regional Variations: London Premium

Location plays a major role in determining a chartered accountant salary. The ACCA blog notes that London salaries are typically higher. For example, ACCA finalists in London earn around £60,000, compared to a national range of £35,000–£70,000. Part-qualified ACCA accountants in London earn about £48,000. Experienced qualified accountants in London can exceed £100,000, and CFOs can reach £500,000.

If you are comparing job offers, always consider the cost of living. A higher salary in London may not go as far as a slightly lower salary in a cheaper region. Our pay guides offer more detail on regional salary comparisons.

Take-Home Pay: What You Actually Receive

Gross salary is only part of the story. Take-home pay is what lands in your bank account after deductions. For a chartered accountant on the median £50,062 in England, with no pension contribution, estimated take-home is about £39,564 per year, or £3,297 per month. This is after £7,498 Income Tax and £2,999 National Insurance (using 2026/27 rates). At the upper quartile of £68,056, take-home is about £50,030 per year.

If you contribute to a workplace pension, your take-home pay will be lower, but you benefit from employer contributions and tax relief. Student loan repayments also reduce net pay. Use a salary calculator for your specific circumstances.

How Chartered Accountant Salaries Compare to Minimum Wage

The National Living Wage for employees aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (as of April 2025). The National Minimum Wage for 18–20 year olds is £10.85, and for under-18s it is £8.00. Apprentices also receive £8.00 per hour. A chartered accountant on the median salary earns well above these rates. Even the lower quartile of £38,696 equates to roughly £19.80 per hour for a 37.5-hour week, still comfortably above the NLW.

It is important to note that minimum wage rates apply to all employees, including accountants, but professional salaries are negotiated individually. The pay data section on this site provides further context on how different occupations compare to statutory minimums.

Caveats and Data Sources

The figures in this guide come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025, the ACCA blog citing the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2026 guide, and the on-site reference database for minimum wage rates. The ONS data is based on a 1% sample of employee PAYE records and covers the pay period including 30 April 2025. It excludes self-employed individuals, so partners in accountancy firms taxed as self-employed are not included.

The ONS does not publish a reliable 90th percentile for chartered accountants, so top-end figures are not available from that source. The ACCA and Hays ranges are based on surveys and may not reflect every employer. Always check your contract and current statutory rates.

For more information on how salaries are structured across different professions, visit our topics page. And if you have questions about your own pay, the about page explains how we compile our data.

Summary

A chartered accountant salary in the UK typically ranges from around £38,696 (lower quartile) to £68,056 (upper quartile), with a median of £50,062. Newly qualified accountants often start between £45,000 and £65,000, while experienced professionals can earn £65,000 to £110,000 or more. London salaries are higher. Take-home pay depends on tax, NI, and pension contributions. Compared to the National Living Wage, chartered accountants earn well above the statutory minimum, reflecting the skill and qualification required.