You've done the maths. Now get the insights.
Based on a £48,000 salary and £38,081 take-home, here's what most people miss
Based on a £48,000 salary and £38,081 take-home, here's what most people miss
Get My Insights →Accountant Pay UK 2025/26
Accountancy spans a huge range from bookkeeping-adjacent roles at small practices to advisory and transaction services at the Big Four, and salary varies accordingly. The ICAEW's 2024 survey found that ACA-qualified chartered accountants earn a median of £68,000 nationally, significantly above the ONS ASHE median for the broader accountant category (~£42,000) which includes part-qualified and management accounting roles. The firm or sector chosen at the start of an accountancy career has an outsized effect on long-run earnings.
Based on typical accountant salaries, here is what you can expect to take home after income tax and National Insurance:
- Graduate / Trainee (ACA/ACCA studying): £23,681 take-home (£28,000 gross, outside London) / £30,881 take-home (£38,000 gross, London)
- Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA): £38,081 take-home (£48,000 gross, outside London) / £46,518 take-home (£62,000 gross, London)
- Finance Manager / Senior Accountant: £49,998 take-home (£68,000 gross, outside London) / £59,858 take-home (£85,000 gross, London)
Key facts about accountant pay:
- ACA (ICAEW), ACCA, and CIMA are the three main qualifications; ACA at Big Four opens the most doors in corporate finance and M&A
- Big Four graduate salaries in London start at £30,000–£35,000 during training; on qualification after three years salaries rise to £55,000–£65,000 in audit
- Moving from practice to industry on qualification typically yields a £5,000–£15,000 salary jump
- CIMA-qualified management accountants in FTSE companies earn £55,000–£85,000 at finance manager level
- Bonuses of 10–20% are standard in financial services accounting; practice accountants typically receive merit-based profit sharing
- Tax specialists and M&A professionals earn 20–40% more than equivalent-level audit or management accounting professionals
Your taxes (2025/26)
| Year | Month | Week | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | £37,500 | £3,125 | £721 |
| Pension Contributions£375 Saved! | £1,875 | £156 | £36 |
| Employer Pension ContributionsPot Increased | £1,125 | £94 | £22 |
| Taxable Income | £35,625 | £2,969 | £685 |
| Personal allowance | £12,570 | - | - |
| National Insurance | £1,843 | £154 | £35 |
| Income Tax | £4,611 | £384 | £89 |
| Take Home Pay | £29,171 | £2,431 | £561 |
| Added to Pension | £3,000 | £250 | £58 |
| Opportunities Found | View My Opportunities → | ||
Accountant Salary Breakdown UK 2025/26
The table below shows typical accountant salaries across experience levels and regions, alongside estimated take-home pay after income tax and National Insurance. Click any salary figure to open it in the calculator.
How Accountant Pay Works in the UK
- ACA (ICAEW), ACCA, and CIMA are the three main qualifications; ACA at Big Four opens the most doors in corporate finance and M&A
- Big Four graduate salaries in London start at £30,000–£35,000 during training; on qualification after three years salaries rise to £55,000–£65,000 in audit
- Moving from practice to industry on qualification typically yields a £5,000–£15,000 salary jump
- CIMA-qualified management accountants in FTSE companies earn £55,000–£85,000 at finance manager level
- Bonuses of 10–20% are standard in financial services accounting; practice accountants typically receive merit-based profit sharing
- Tax specialists and M&A professionals earn 20–40% more than equivalent-level audit or management accounting professionals
Income Tax and National Insurance in 2025/26
Like all UK workers, accountants salaries are subject to income tax and National Insurance (NI) contributions. In the 2025/26 tax year:
- Up to £12,570: 0% (Personal Allowance)
- £12,571 to £50,270: 20% (Basic Rate)
- £50,271 to £125,140: 40% (Higher Rate)
- Above £125,140: 45% (Additional Rate)
Employee National Insurance contributions for 2025/26:
- 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270
- 2% on earnings above £50,270
Use the calculator above to see your exact take-home pay after all deductions, including pension contributions and student loan repayments if applicable.
Related Pay Guides
- Financial Analyst Pay UK 2025/26
- Auditor Pay UK 2025/26
- Actuary Pay UK 2025/26
- Financial Advisor Pay UK 2025/26
- Investment Banker Pay UK 2025/26
Explore Your Finances
Model your expenses, project your wealth, and find your path to financial independence.
Your Monthly Outgoings
Projected Pension
Wealth & Financial Independence More Info
- In today's money, you'll have at least £21,600 / year (£1,800 / month) when you retire at 66 - just from your savings
- In real terms (where inflation is not removed), that's £38,340 / year (£3,195 / month)
- That means all your outgoings are covered without having to make any further contributions!
- All your expenses are covered for your retirement, but your wealth may start to decrease towards old age
Projected Wealth
- FI Target = Annual outgoings (£21,600) * Years needed for 4.00% SWR (25.00) = £540,000
- Invested annual pension = £3,000
- Invested annual surplus = £2,171
- Inflation of 2.5% / year
- Assumes New State Pension, payments increasing with inflation (2.5% / year)
- Assumes student loans last 30 years max
- Assumes a flex-drawdown pension for illustration purposes
- Assumes you draw down pension up to the higher rate bracket (£50,270), then draw down your S&S ISA
- Pension lump sums are not included