Top 10 accountancy and finance salary increases for the year ahead 

The last 12 months have seen accountancy and finance employers still battling strong competition in a bid to secure top finance talent against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, rising costs and significant transformation. Talent attraction and retention barriers are set to continue in the year ahead, with employers predicting talent retention will be the most pressing internal challenge in 2026. Over two-thirds of finance employers (68%) are planning on recruiting, so competition for talent is set to remain fierce.

Skills shortages have continued to hamper the industry, with 92% of employers having faced them over the past year. Digital skills gaps, in particular, are becoming a pressing issue. As AI gains traction in the finance profession, skills gaps are widespread, with almost half (49%) of accountancy and finance employers reporting moderate or extreme AI-specific skills shortages within their workforces.

Our 2026 Salary and Recruiting Trends guide gathers survey data from over 5,100 professionals – over 1,000 of which are from the accountancy and finance profession – providing insights into salary changes, hiring trends and more.

This research answers some important questions: 

• Which accountancy and finance jobs have seen the most significant salary increases?
• What do employers need to do to attract and retain top talent?
• What’s the employment outlook for 2026?

In-demand roles saw the most substantial salary hikes

The accountancy and finance industry saw notable salary growth this past year, with 90% raising pay. The average increase of 3.4% is higher than the overall average uplift across all UK sectors of 2.2%. Despite this, pay satisfaction is still an issue, with 36% of accountancy and finance employees saying they’re unhappy with their salary or rate – up from 29% last year.

The most significant increases were seen in taxation roles within in-house financial services (6.7%), followed by taxation roles in FTSE 100/250 companies (6.1%), both of which were in part driven by skills demand linked to Pillar Two Obligations. Looking ahead, 85% of finance employers anticipate raising salaries in the coming year.

Although not all are the highest-paid roles in accountancy and finance overall, the jobs on our list have seen the largest percentage increases. These are some of the most sought-after talent pools, and employers are having to improve their offerings to attract and retain valuable workers.

Top 10 pay rises according to our 2026 Salary and Recruiting Trends guide

1. Head of tax/director
2. FP&A manager
3. Finance director (SME)
4. Financial controller (corporate)
5. Part qualified accountant
6. Corporate tax manager
7. VAT senior manager
8. Accounts payable team leader
9. Management accountant
10. Payroll supervisor

Closing the AI skills gap

While salary increases are helping employers compete, pay alone won’t solve the challenges ahead. The growing demand for digital expertise is reshaping what employees expect from their careers.

Finance employers are increasingly hiring for potential rather than just existing skills, with 78% valuing adaptability and willingness to learn above technical expertise. This mindset is particularly important as AI becomes embedded in accountancy and finance: 26% of finance employees and 38% of employers now use AI regularly, yet only 4% of organisations feel they have the right skills to fully maximise its benefits, and almost half (49%) report moderate or extreme AI-specific shortages.

Employees are eager to upskill, though, with 70% saying they would join AI training if offered, but few have had the chance. What’s more, of the accountancy and finance professionals who rate their job satisfaction poorly, the most commonly cited reason for dissatisfaction is limited career development opportunities (44%). The opportunity for employers is clear: by linking career development support directly to AI capabilities, they can strengthen retention efforts while preparing their workforce for the future.

Strengthening retention through the employee experience

As skills shortages persist and job opportunities remain plentiful, attracting and retaining sought-after talent depends on the broader employee experience.

When considering a new role, the most important factors beyond salary to permanent employees in finance are a strong benefits package (49%), a positive work atmosphere (47%), and location (36%). For contractors, they place the most weight on challenging assignments (54%), good work-life balance including flexible arrangements (42%), and project duration (39%).

It’s important for employers to showcase a strong employee value proposition (EVP) if they want to stand out from the competition and attract top talent. However, it’s vital that the EVP promoted during hiring genuinely reflects the reality of working there, since 49% of finance professionals believe their employer’s EVP does not align with the actual employee experience. Finance professionals are very clear about what they want: fair pay, meaningful career growth, and workplaces that deliver on their promises. Employers who respond to these priorities will not only attract talent but also build lasting loyalty. With 61% of employees in this profession planning to switch jobs in the coming year, the need to strengthen retention strategies is critical in today’s market.

Employers: discover more about the hiring trends currently shaping the world of work and ensure your salaries aren’t falling behind the competition with our 2026 Salary and Recruiting Trends guide. 

Jobseekers: want to know if you’re being paid the market rate? Take a look at our salary calculator to find out.