Finance Salary Guide

Accounts Assistant Salary UK: How Much Do They Earn? (2026)

What a Accounts Assistant earns in the UK in 2026, broken down by experience, region and the factors that move the numbers.

By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks

Mark has over 30 years in recruitment, placing finance and accountancy professionals from Accounts Assistant to Finance Director across the UK.

Mark's Linkedin Profile

A Accounts Assistant's salary is shaped mostly by qualification, the sector, and the complexity of the reporting. If you're hiring or benchmarking, the figures below give a realistic picture of what a Accounts Assistant costs in the current market.

⚡ In short

A Accounts Assistant in the UK typically earns a base salary of £24k to £30k, with a median of around £27k, plus a performance-related bonus.

Pay rises with experience, sits higher in London and in stronger sectors, and the total package can be above base once incentives are included.

£27k

Median base salary

£24k-£30k

Typical range

+5-15%

London premium

+10-20%

Typical bonus

What affects a Accounts Assistant's salary

Qualification

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified candidates command more than part-qualified or by-experience.

Sector and complexity

Financial services, listed groups and complex reporting pay above SME roles.

Location

London commands a clear premium over the regions.

Accounts Assistant salary by experience

Experience Level

Typical Salary

Entry-level / Newly Appointed

£24k-£26k

Experienced

£26k-£28k

Senior / Lead

£28k-£30k

How to benchmark and set the salary

1. Start with the market range
For a Accounts Assistant, that's roughly £24k to £30k base. Pitch too low and you won't get replies; too high and you overpay.

2. Adjust for experience
Use the bands in the table above - entry, experienced and senior - rather than one figure, and match the level you actually need.

3. Factor in location
London and the South East add 5-15%. A regional or remote role can be pitched a little lower for the same calibre.

4. Add the incentive
A performance-related bonus of around 10-20% is typical for a Accounts Assistant, on top of base. Candidates compare total earnings, so lead with the package, not just the base.

5. Move at the right speed
Strong candidates have options. A competitive offer made quickly beats a slightly higher one that drags.

How much does a Accounts Assistant earn in the UK?

A Accounts Assistant typically earns a base of £24k to £30k, with a median around £27k, plus a performance-related bonus.

Total earnings are usually higher than base alone once bonus or incentives are included.

What's the starting salary for a Accounts Assistant?

Entry-level or newly qualified Accounts Assistants usually start around £24k-£26k.

The figure rises with experience, specialism and location, so a strong background commands more from the outset.

Do Accounts Assistants earn more in London?

Yes. London and the South East typically add +5-15% to base for a Accounts Assistant, reflecting higher costs and competition for talent.

Regional and remote roles can be pitched a little lower for the same calibre.

What affects a Accounts Assistant's salary?

The main drivers are experience, sector, location and company size, plus any bonus.

For a Accounts Assistant specifically, qualification tends to move the numbers most, so weigh that when you benchmark.

What bonus does a Accounts Assistant get?

A performance-related bonus of around 10-20% is typical for a Accounts Assistant, on top of base.

Always compare the total package rather than base alone, since the extras can be a meaningful share.

How do I set a competitive salary to attract a Accounts Assistant?

Benchmark against the range above, pitch at the right experience band, add a clear incentive, and factor in location.

If you'd like a live read on what your Accounts Assistant role should pay to attract strong candidates, we benchmark it for free as part of the search - no fee until your hire starts.

External citations

Sources:
- REC
- ONS Labour Market
- Coburg Banks Trustpilot

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