Chartered Accountant Salary UK: Hourly, Weekly and Annual Pay Explained

Understanding the chartered accountant salary UK landscape

If you are looking at the chartered accountant salary UK, you will find a wide range depending on experience, location, sector and qualification level. The most authoritative source is the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which groups chartered and certified accountants together under SOC 2020 code 2421. For April 2025, the median full-time annual salary for this group was £50,062. This places chartered accountants well above the UK full-time median of £39,039.

But a single median figure does not tell the whole story. The ONS also reports that a quarter of chartered accountants earn below £38,696 (lower quartile) and a quarter earn above £68,056 (upper quartile). The 10th percentile stands at £29,557. The ONS did not publish a reliable 90th percentile for this group, so top-end figures are not available from that source.

What the ONS data means for your pay

The ONS figures cover all employee chartered and certified accountants, whether in practice or industry, across all UK regions. They do not break down by qualification body (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA) or by career stage. That is why it is useful to supplement them with employer surveys such as the First Intuition National Accountancy Salary Guide, which provides more granular detail.

According to that guide, based on responses from over 200 employers in England, the average salary across all accountancy levels is £32,802. Newly qualified accountants (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW) earn an average of £41,130, while those three years post-qualification earn £50,441 – very close to the ONS median. School leaver roles average £19,340, and newly qualified AATs earn £27,903.

Take-home pay: from annual salary to net income

Understanding the chartered accountant salary UK also means knowing what you actually receive after deductions. On the ONS median of £50,062, with no pension contribution, take-home pay in England is about £39,564 per year (£3,297 per month). This is after £7,498 income tax and £2,999 National Insurance. At the upper quartile of £68,056, take-home rises to approximately £50,030. Remember that workplace pension contributions – especially if you use salary sacrifice – will reduce your take-home but boost your retirement savings. In Scotland, tax bands differ, so use a calculator for your specific situation.

Regional and sector variations

Location matters. The First Intuition guide reports London as the highest-paying region with an average of £39,263, while the Midlands average is £29,567. Those in industry earn on average 8.4% more than those in practice – a difference of about £2,636. The North West leads in apprenticeship adoption, with many employers supporting Level 7 programmes.

Specialism also influences pay. 53% of employers surveyed said audit has seen the greatest increase in salary expectations, followed by 49% for tax. If you are considering which area to pursue, these trends may guide your decision.

How the chartered accountant salary UK compares to statutory minimum rates

For context, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (2026/27). The National Minimum Wage for 18–20 year olds is £10.85, and for under-18s and apprentices it is £8.00. At the median chartered accountant salary of £50,062, the implied hourly rate (based on a 37.5-hour week, 52 weeks) is about £25.67 – roughly double the NLW. Even at the 10th percentile (£29,557), the hourly rate is about £15.15, still above the NLW. However, trainee and school-leaver roles may start closer to minimum wage levels, so it is important to check advertised salaries and your contract.

For more detailed pay data across different occupations, visit our pay data page. You can also explore topics related to earnings and employment rights.

Key takeaways

• The ONS median for chartered accountants is £50,062, but actual pay varies widely by experience, region and sector.
• Newly qualified accountants average £41,130; after three years it rises to around £50,441.
• Take-home pay at the median is about £39,564 in England (no pension).
• London and industry roles command a premium.
• Always check your contract and current statutory rates – the UK Minimum Wage page has the latest figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median chartered accountant salary UK in 2026/27?

According to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) for April 2025, the median annual salary for chartered and certified accountants (SOC 2421) is £50,062. This figure is for full-time employees and includes those in practice and industry. Take-home pay in England, after income tax and National Insurance and assuming no pension contribution, is approximately £39,564 per year.

How does the chartered accountant salary UK compare to the National Living Wage?

The National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is £12.71 per hour (2026/27 rate). At the median chartered accountant salary of £50,062, the implied hourly rate (based on a standard 37.5-hour week, 52 weeks) is about £25.67, well above the statutory minimum. Even at the 10th percentile (£29,557), the hourly rate is roughly £15.15, still above the NLW. However, advertised salaries for trainee or school-leaver roles may be closer to minimum wage levels.

What factors affect the chartered accountant salary UK?

Several factors influence pay: region (London averages higher), sector (industry pays about 8.4% more than practice), years of experience (newly qualified average £41,130, rising to £50,441 after three years), and specialism (audit and tax have seen the greatest salary increases according to the First Intuition guide). Employer size and benefits such as pension contributions also affect total compensation and take-home pay.