Forward-thinking businesses have a unique opportunity to secure the best professionals by offering competitive compensation and modern benefits. Now is the ideal time to fine-tune your hiring strategy and stand out as an employer of choice.
Our comprehensive accountancy and finance salary guide gives you the data and insights needed to navigate this evolving landscape, build a strong, future-ready team or achieve lasting success in your career.
Using data from 18 million jobs posted to Reed.co.uk since 2017, the guide highlights key salary trends across the UK, enabling you to effectively benchmark your team’s salaries or find out what you could, or should, be earning. It also offers expert commentary into local job landscapes and insight into what benefits employees want in 2026.
Professionals are now expected to implement new AI models, manage data analytics, and use technology to drive business insights. This fusion of accountancy and technology is creating a new specialism: the strategic tech accountant.
Accountancy Expert, Reed
Who is the 2026 accountancy and finance salary guide designed for?
Our accountancy and finance salary guide is tailored for:
Employers aiming to attract talent by benchmarking salaries against competitors.
New startups determining competitive pay for their employees.
Businesses looking to retain talent by aligning existing salaries with market standards.
Graduates and young professionals entering the industry, providing a clear understanding of salary expectations.
Accountancy and finance professionals ensuring their current earnings align with regional averages.
Professionals planning to relocate, offering insights into local job markets and salary trends.
Jobseekers preparing for salary negotiations with potential employers.
Looking for accountancy and finance benchmarking insights?
Gain a competitive edge in the accountancy and finance industry with precise benchmarking insights. Our guide, built on data from over 18 million job postings, offers a comprehensive view of salary trends and market dynamics.
Explore detailed analysis across 12 UK regions, with visually engaging graphics showcasing key salary shifts over the past year. Backed by a robust four-year dataset, the guide also includes salary projections for the year ahead and historical averages dating back to 2017.
Curious about what you should be earning?
Discover how your salary compares to industry standards and ensure you're positioned for success in today’s competitive market.
Whether you're looking to enter the industry, negotiating a pay rise, or exploring new opportunities, this guide is your go-to resource for staying informed and ahead of the curve.
Thriving in today’s financial landscape demands more than traditional, retrospective accounting. It calls for a proactive, value-driven approach - one that positions finance as a catalyst for growth rather than a back-office function.
Finance Expert, Reed
What jobs are covered in the Reed accountancy and finance salary guide 2026?
This guide provides salary data for a number of roles across the accountancy and finance sectors, from entry-level roles to c-suite executives, including:
Credit controller
Financial accountant
Purchase ledger clerk
Chief financial officer
Finance manager
Bookkeeper
Accounts payable assistant
Payroll manager
Financial analyst
Why download the UK’s most trusted accountancy and finance salary guide?
Our salary guide is your ultimate resource for navigating the ever-evolving accountancy and finance landscape. Here’s why it’s a must-have:
Accurate and reliable data: Built on insights from millions of job postings over nine years, it’s the most comprehensive and trusted source for salary benchmarking.
Regional insights: Get a detailed breakdown of salary trends across 12 UK regions, helping you make informed decisions whether you’re hiring, relocating, or negotiating.
Futureproof your talent strategy: With salary projections for 2027, you’ll stay ahead of market trends.
Tailored for everyone: Whether you’re a graduate, jobseeker, employer, or startup, this guide is designed to meet your unique needs.
Visual clarity: Engaging graphics make it easy to spot key salary shifts and trends at a glance.
How can Reed’s accountancy and finance salary guide assist with benefits and rewards benchmarking?
At the end of 2025, we conducted our annual survey of 5,000 UK workers to understand how they feel about their salaries, benefits, role and responsibilities, as well as job satisfaction and market trends.
Some key findings include:
20% of professionals feel unhappy with their current salary.
The overwhelming reason for salary dissatisfaction is that pay hasn't kept pace with the cost of living.
26% of respondents have £100 or less leftover each month after essential bills, with seven per cent stating their entire salary goes to essentials.
To switch jobs, individuals expect a substantial average pay increase of £12,139.55.
On average, men earn £48,367.15, while women earn £33,852.12, a difference of over £14,500.
And women have significantly less disposable income, with an average of £626.61 left over monthly compared to £983.38 for men.
Younger workers (25-34) are most willing to sacrifice benefits for higher pay…
… while older workers (55+) are significantly less willing to do so, suggesting they value their existing benefits more.
See all the results from our survey and use this guide to make informed decisions on salaries and benefits in the UK accountancy and finance sector for 2026.
Download your copy now.
