Accountancy & Finance Salary Guide
Discover salary trends, sought-after skills, and industry insights to inform your hiring strategies or career choices.
Your guide to salaries and trends
This guide brings you the latest insights in the Accountancy & Finance field across the UK. Whether you’re a professional aiming to understand your market value or an employer looking to attract top talent, our guide provides a clear, straightforward view of salary expectations and trends. Built on responses from our candidate and client surveys, it’s designed to support informed decisions and strategic career moves.
In our guide, you’ll find:
- Key insights from our sentiment survey: Discover current trends, job satisfaction levels, and motivators in Accountancy & Finance, gathered from our latest survey of professionals and hiring managers.
- Salary tables by region: Gain a clear picture of salary levels across the UK for a range of roles in Accountancy & Finance, helping you make informed decisions on compensation, no matter where you’re based.
Key findings
- Salary dissatisfaction: 33% of professionals express dissatisfaction with their current salary.
- High job mobility: 62% of candidates plan to change roles within the next 12 months.
- Salary expectations: 50% of candidates anticipate a 5-10% salary increase when changing roles.
- Work-life balance concerns: 60% rate their current work-life balance as "Poor" or "Very Poor."
- Primary motivator: 29% cite work-life balance as their top motivator when seeking new opportunities.
Market overview
The UK Accountancy & Finance sector in 2024 is undergoing significant transformation due to economic challenges, technological advancements, and increasing regulatory complexity. Employers are prioritising professionals with digital and analytical expertise to address these changes. Skills such as financial modelling, automation, and proficiency in emerging technologies are in high demand, as businesses aim to optimise operations and remain competitive. Additionally, the growing focus on ESG practices has increased the need for finance professionals skilled in sustainability reporting and compliance.
Professionals are also reassessing career goals as workplace dynamics evolve. Flexibility is now essential, with hybrid and remote working the norm across the industry. Career progression and competitive salaries are becoming increasingly important, as candidates seek roles aligned with their long-term aspirations. Work-life balance is also a growing priority, with many viewing it as a key motivator when exploring opportunities. Employers who fail to adapt risk losing top talent in this competitive market.
Despite economic uncertainty, hiring remains strong in the sector. Skills shortages persist in areas such as forensic accounting, tax advisory, and financial planning. To attract talent, employers must offer competitive pay, clear development pathways, and inclusive workplaces. As the sector evolves, adapting to this changing landscape is crucial for long-term success.
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2025 hiring landscape
The hiring landscape for Accountancy & Finance for 2025 looks to remain dynamic, driven by sustained demand for financial expertise across industries. Roles in financial planning, auditing, and compliance are experiencing notable growth as organisations navigate economic uncertainties and regulatory changes. Digital transformation continues to shape hiring trends, with businesses prioritising candidates who bring technological proficiency alongside traditional financial skills. Employers offering hybrid or remote working options are gaining a competitive edge in attracting top talent, as flexibility becomes an essential criterion for many professionals.
   Candidate sentiment
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- Prioritising flexibility: 77% of UK professionals prefer roles offering hybrid or remote work options.
- Career growth focus: 66% of candidates rate clear progression opportunities as a top factor in their job search.
- Work-life balance: 3 in 5 candidates highlight work-life balance as their primary motivator when seeking new roles.
 Employer sentiment
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- Skill gaps: 59% of employers report challenges in hiring skilled professionals due to increased competition.
- Retention pressures: 50% of employers feel they are losing talent to firms offering higher salaries or better flexibility.
- Salary increases: Over half of UK employers expect to raise salaries by 5-10% to remain competitive in the hiring market.
-
1 in 3
professionals report dissatisfaction with their current salary
-
1 in 2
candidates expect a salary increase of 5-10% when changing roles
-
3 in 5
rate their current work-life balance as “Poor” or “Very Poor”
-
3 in 5
consider work-life balance as their top motivator for seeking new opportunities
Soft skills in demand
In Accountancy &Â Finance, professionals with strong communication and interpersonal skills are in high demand, as clear and effective communication is crucial in advising clients and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Problem-solving abilities are also essential, allowing Finance professionals to analyse complex data and provide actionable insights.
Additionally, flexibility and adaptability are increasingly valued as the industry navigates changing regulations and new technologies.
Developing these skills can open doors to advanced roles and make candidates indispensable in a fast-evolving finance environment.
Top employer challenges
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- Adapting to flexible work models: Balancing employee preferences for hybrid/remote work with organisational demands remains a challenge.
- Upskilling needs: 71% of employers identify skill gaps, particularly in digital and technical roles, as a barrier to growth.
- Retention struggles: High turnover rates persist, with 62% of professionals considering job changes within the next year.
Top external factors
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- Economic uncertainty: Ongoing inflation and market instability influence hiring decisions and candidate confidence.
- Technological changes: Rapid adoption of AI and automation is creating both opportunities and anxieties in the professional services sector.
- Regulatory shifts: Changing compliance and reporting standards, particularly in finance and legal sectors, require constant adaptation.
Looking ahead
Looking ahead, the Accountancy & Finance sector is poised for continued transformation in 2025 and beyond.
The integration of AI and machine learning into financial processes is expected to redefine roles and create new opportunities for tech-savvy professionals.Â
Employers are likely to prioritise upskilling and reskilling initiatives to keep pace with rapid technological and regulatory changes, ensuring their workforce is equipped to handle the challenges of a fast-evolving industry.
