ACCA is valued for being portable, so salary questions usually come with a second one: where will it pay best? The answer depends on the market, the sector and how quickly you move from a qualified accountant role into management. The figures below are indicative ranges drawn from 2026 salary guides. They are a starting point for negotiation, not a guarantee.
UK and Ireland: ACCA salary by career stage
| Stage | London | Other UK cities | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newly qualified | £45k–£60k | £35k–£48k | €48k–€65k (Dublin), €40k–€55k elsewhere |
| Mid-career (3–8 years qualified) | £60k–£90k+ | £45k–£70k | €65k–€95k |
| Financial controller, head of finance, FD | £90k–£150k+ | £70k–£110k | €95k–€150k+ |
| CFO | About £100k–£200k at SME and mid-market firms, and well above that at large or listed companies | ||
ACCA salary in the Gulf and Asia-Pacific
| Country | Early career | Mid career | Senior or manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | AED 100k–150k | AED 180k–280k | AED 300k–500k+ |
| Singapore | SGD 60k–80k (newly qualified) | – | – |
| Malaysia | MYR 36k–48k | MYR 60k–96k | MYR 100k–180k |
| Australia | AUD 55k–70k | AUD 80k–110k | AUD 120k–180k |
| Canada | CAD 50k–65k | CAD 70k–95k | CAD 100k–145k |
All figures are annual. "Early career" in some markets includes part-qualified roles, so newly qualified pay can sit at the top of the range.
Compare take-home pay, not headlines. UAE salaries are generally free of personal income tax, while the UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada tax salaries at progressive rates. Housing and schooling costs in Dubai can still absorb much of the difference.
Is the move abroad worth it straight after qualifying?
Many ACCA students in South Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe plan to qualify and then move to the Gulf or the UK. That can work well, but employers abroad usually value experience as much as the letters. A common pattern among successful movers:
- gain two to three years of post-qualification experience at a firm with an international brand, such as a large audit network or a multinational;
- move into a role with the same employer or network abroad, where your experience is easier to verify;
- check visa rules and whether your target role needs local registration, especially in audit.
Moving without experience is possible but usually means starting at the lower end of the ranges above.
How to raise your pay after qualifying
- Move from practice to industry, or the reverse, at the right moment. Audit firms often pay less at junior levels, but experience there is highly valued by industry employers two or three years after qualifying.
- Specialise. Transaction services, corporate finance, tax advisory and treasury typically pay more than general accounting roles.
- Choose your Strategic Professional option with your career in mind. AAA supports audit progression, ATX tax careers and AFM corporate finance.
- Add data and systems skills. The redesigned qualification from 2027 adds data and digital content for a reason: employers increasingly pay for it.
Still planning your route? See the full ACCA cost breakdown and the pass rates for each exam.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a newly qualified ACCA earn in the UK?
Indicative ranges for newly qualified ACCA accountants are about £45,000 to £60,000 in London and £35,000 to £48,000 in other UK cities, depending on employer and sector.
Is ACCA salary higher in Dubai?
Headline salaries in the UAE can be competitive, commonly AED 100,000 to 150,000 for newly qualified accountants and much more at senior level. Salaries there are generally free of personal income tax, which raises take-home pay.
Does ACCA increase your salary?
Qualifying usually moves you into roles and pay bands that require a professional accountancy qualification. Salary guides commonly suggest a premium over non-qualified accountants at entry level, and the gap tends to widen as you move into management.
Which ACCA jobs pay the most?
Senior finance roles such as financial controller, head of finance, finance director and CFO pay the most. Specialist areas such as corporate finance, transaction services and tax advisory also pay well relative to general accounting.
Is ACCA or CPA better for salary?
In the United States, a CPA licence is usually required for public accounting and tends to command higher pay. Outside the US, ACCA is widely recognised and pay depends more on the role than on which qualification you hold.