ACCA is the most widely held professional accounting qualification in the UK, with over 240,000 ACCA members in the country. Salary varies significantly by experience level, sector and location. This guide covers what ACCA qualified professionals earn across the UK in 2026.
ACCA Salary by Experience — London 2026
| Stage | Salary Range (London) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Part-qualified (final papers) | £32,000–£42,000 | Hays UK 2026 |
| Newly qualified (0-1 year PQE) | £42,000–£55,000 | Hays UK 2026 |
| 1-3 years PQE | £50,000–£65,000 | Robert Walters UK 2026 |
| 3-5 years PQE | £58,000–£78,000 | Robert Walters UK 2026 |
| 5-8 years PQE (Manager) | £68,000–£90,000 | Morgan McKinley UK 2026 |
| 8+ years PQE (FC/Head of) | £85,000–£120,000 | Morgan McKinley UK 2026 |
ACCA Salary by Region — UK 2026
| Location | 3-5 Years PQE | 5-8 Years PQE |
|---|---|---|
| London | £58,000–£78,000 | £68,000–£90,000 |
| South East England | £50,000–£68,000 | £58,000–£78,000 |
| Manchester | £45,000–£62,000 | £52,000–£72,000 |
| Birmingham | £42,000–£58,000 | £50,000–£68,000 |
| Leeds | £42,000–£60,000 | £50,000–£70,000 |
| Edinburgh | £48,000–£65,000 | £56,000–£75,000 |
ACCA vs ACA vs CIMA — Which Pays More in the UK?
ACA (ICAEW) typically commands the highest premium at equivalent experience levels in the UK, particularly in London financial services and Big 4 environments. ACCA is very widely recognised and commands strong salaries across all sectors. CIMA tends to perform strongly in commercial, manufacturing and FMCG roles. At 5+ years PQE, the qualification gap narrows significantly as experience becomes more important than letters after your name.
ACCA Fellowship (FCCA) Premium
FCCA status (achieved after 5 years of ACCA membership and continued professional development) does not typically command a significant salary premium in the UK job market. Employers focus more on experience, sector and role scope than the distinction between ACCA and FCCA at equivalent career stages.
Moving from Practice to Industry as ACCA — Salary Impact
ACCA qualified professionals moving from public practice to industry typically see a 10-20% salary increase at the point of move, as industry roles command higher base salaries than practice at equivalent levels. However, practice to industry moves can sometimes involve a step back in seniority before stepping forward — factor in the medium-term trajectory, not just the immediate salary change.
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Get My Free UK Salary Benchmark →Salary ranges sourced from the 2026 Robert Walters UK Salary Survey, Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2026 and Morgan McKinley UK Salary Guide 2026. Figures are estimated market ranges for guidance only.