Finance and accountancy is a particularly popular field as it allows professionals to work and study at the same time, building experience alongside technical knowledge.
With many companies offering study support as a benefit, this is a great opportunity to earn whilst building towards promotions, higher salaries and better benefits. But what are the best-paid part-qualified finance jobs?
As part of the research for our ‘2025 Salary Guide’, we’ve compiled some of the different salaries you can find as a part-qualified professional.
Part Qualified Management Accountant
Salary (Large Company): £37,000 – £45,000
Salary (SME): £35,000 – £42,000
Management accounting is typically considered the more ‘glamourous’ industry compared to financial reporting or other similar fields, offering professionals the chance to provide insight and support future decision-making.
Increasingly, we’re seeing larger companies build a management accounting function by recruiting at junior levels and progressing them within the workplace, offering study support as they become more qualified. As such, part-qualified finance professionals looking to enter management accountancy are generally in demand and desired by employers.
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Part-Qualified Financial Accountant
Salary (Large Company): £37,000 – £45,000
Salary (SME): £35,000 – £42,000
Historically known as the technically-focused ‘backroom accountants’, financial accountants oversee cash flow reporting, the balance sheet and other similar responsibilities. Now, in modern finance teams, financial accountants use their knowledge to enhance reporting, provide a deeper look at the numbers and guide future decision-making.
Generally, professionals in these roles tend to be more technically trained as they build out their qualifications.
Part-Qualified Group Financial Accountant
Salary (Large Company): £38,000 – £45,000
Salary (SME): £35,000 – £45,000
Depending on the hierarchy of the organisation, the Group Accounting team generally looks after the production of financial reporting and consolidation. In larger businesses, they may receive information at a company level which is then consolidated into group reporting. It’s these differentials that decide where they sit in the salary band.
Larger businesses generally opt for first-time movers and there’s plenty of opportunity for part-qualified financial professionals to enter the industry via this route.
Other factors affecting the rate of pay include whether there are team management responsibilities and how many entities the individual is responsible for.
Part-Qualified Finance Business Partner
Salary (Large Company): £42,000 – £50,000
Salary (SME): £40,000 – £47,000
In recent times, many accountants are flocking to the ‘finance business partner’ role as it offers more opportunities for business-facing responsibilities.
What we are seeing is that the term is becoming ‘fuzzy’, with many narrower roles that offer little stakeholder engagement being disguised as ‘business partners’ to attract better talent.
If you’re a candidate entering this industry, it’s worth checking that the role offers the necessary interactivity – and compensation – you’re looking for.
Part-Qualified Tax Accountant (ACCA)
Salary (Large Company): £48,000 – £55,000
Salary (SME): £46,000 – £52,000
Many larger organisations rely heavily on tax accountants to ensure they’re compliant, up-to-date on recent legislation and avoid any penalties, many of which can often be seven or eight-figure sums.
Since many companies struggle to attract junior candidates into the industry, many lower-level roles – including part-qualified roles – have much more competitive packages. If any professionals can then earn the CTA or ACA/CA qualifications, they’re commanding a £50,000 minimum starting salary. As you’d imagine, they’re also much more in demand with employers who are struggling to attract talent.