The role of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is both essential and highly rewarding. With the increasing complexity of financial regulations and the growing need for accurate financial management, skilled CPAs are in constant demand. Whether auditing major corporations in London, providing tax and financial planning services to businesses in Manchester, or offering advisory solutions in Edinburgh, professionals in this field enjoy strong career prospects and the opportunity to make a significant impact on financial integrity, business success, and economic growth.
CPA salary
Base pay £20K – £29K/yr
£24K/yr average base pay
The estimated total pay for a Cpa is £25,203 per year, with an average salary of £23,902 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is £1,301 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing.
What do CPA earn
How much does a CPA make in United Kingdom?
£36,595/yr
Highest paying cities for CPA near United Kingdom
- Bedford
£108,784 per year11 salaries reported - London
£39,432 per year16 salaries reported - Bradford
£37,718 per year5 salaries reported - Radlett
£25,035 per year6 salaries reported - Wellington
£25,000 per year5 salaries reported - St Albans
£23,687 per year13 salaries reported - Stevenage
£23,687 per year5 salaries reported - Hertford
£23,419 per year5 salaries reported - Maghull
£23,238 per year7 salaries reported
What’s on Quora?
Do CPA accountants have a good salary?
I live in the UK and recently started at a big 4 firm (London) after graduating form university. I will answer this question from my perspective.
A 50k+ salary is definitely within reason in your 30’s. At big 4 you’d be getting paid c.50k after 4-6 years depending on your promotions and location (e.g London will be paid more than Manchester etc).
Salary progression (London):
Year 1: 25-30k
Year 2: 27-32k
Year 3: 30-35k
Year 4: 42-48k
Year 5: 50-55k
After 10-15 years you will most likely be a director (100k +) or a partner (700k +) if you are really good!
Those figures will obvs vary from firm to firm and are a rough guide ^
As to whether its worth doing a degree or not. Its entirely up to you. If you join on a higher apprenticeship scheme it will take you longer to qualify (5 rather than 3 years) but as you have stated in your question you won’t have any student debt. Personally, I feel it is good to have a degree behind you as it gives you flexibility whereas with the apprenticeship you just have accounting experience and the ACA (accounting qualification).
Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Top Answer
For me, it was a great career. It was a different time when I earned my accounting degree. I had four job offers before I even graduated, and took the job with Florsheim Shoe Company as their field auditor in the seven western states, that included about 50 company stores at their peak. After 3.5 years, the company promoted me to audit manager, but we had to move to Chicago from Northern California. That lasted for about 3 years, until I missed family, friends and the climate of Northern California, so I resigned, and ended up doing business consulting in the SF Bay Area. Did pretty well with it, because it was the right timing. I kept the books for many businesses, and provided them information on how to keep track of their inventory for efficiency and cost by setting up a standard cost system. Was earning about $300 every month from each business, enough to buy income property and travel the world. Also, was able to invest and retire early in Silicon Valley, where we have lived since 1975. We love it here! It’s an exciting environment, and Apple’s main campus is less than one mile from where we live. Aerial photo Apple Park spaceship Cupertino CA
