Accounting Jobs in London: Roles, Pay and How to Get Hired
A practical guide to accounting jobs in London, from audit trainee and fund accountant to finance manager, with typical pay, the main entry routes and where to find roles.
By Tony Musso on
London has more accounting jobs than anywhere else in the UK, and a wider range of them. The Big Four and most large accountancy firms have their main UK offices here, as do many banks, insurers, asset managers and the headquarters of large companies. Central government departments and 32 borough councils add a steady supply of public sector finance roles.
That variety is good news if you are starting out or changing direction. You can join an audit graduate scheme in the City, start as an accounts assistant in a small practice in the suburbs, or move into fund accounting at an investment firm. This guide covers the main types of accounting jobs in London, what they typically pay, how people get in and how to stand out when you apply.
The main types of accounting jobs in London
Practice: audit, tax and advisory
Accountancy firms, known as "practice", employ accountants to serve clients. In London that ranges from the Big Four to mid-tier firms and hundreds of smaller local practices.
- Audit teams check that companies' financial statements give a true and fair view. Audit is the most common starting point for graduate trainees, and London teams often work on large listed companies and financial services clients.
- Tax teams prepare returns and advise businesses and individuals. London has a lot of demand for private client tax, linked to wealthy individuals and family businesses, as well as corporate and international tax.
- Advisory teams cover deals, restructuring, forensic accounting and consulting.
Smaller practices do more general work: year-end accounts, bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and self-assessment for local businesses. They are often more flexible about hours and qualifications, and can be a good way in. If you are weighing up a trainee role in audit, our external auditor salary guide shows how pay grows as you progress.
Industry: commercial finance teams
"Industry" means working in the finance team of a business rather than for clients. London has a huge range of these employers: retailers, media groups, tech companies, property firms, law firms, charities and universities.
Typical roles include accounts payable and receivable, assistant accountant, management accountant, financial accountant, financial analyst, financial controller and finance director. The work focuses on monthly reporting, budgets, forecasts and helping the business make decisions. Many industry trainees study the ACCA or CIMA.
Financial services
The City and Canary Wharf are home to banks, insurers, asset managers, hedge funds and private equity firms, and they all need accountants. Roles you will see advertised in London include:
- Fund accountant, calculating fund values and preparing fund accounts.
- Product control, checking the daily profit and loss on trading desks.
- Regulatory reporting, preparing returns for regulators.
- Financial reporting and group finance, producing the accounts of the firm itself.
These roles often prefer people with audit experience in financial services, which is one reason many London auditors move into banks and investment firms after qualifying.
Public sector
London is the centre of the Civil Service, and departments such as HM Treasury and HMRC, plus the National Audit Office, employ accountants and finance professionals. The Government Finance Profession offers training and career paths across departments. Borough councils, the Greater London Authority, NHS trusts and universities also recruit finance staff.
Public sector roles usually have clear pay bands, good pensions and predictable hours, which suits many people. Some offer funded professional qualifications.
Common accounting job titles in London
| Job title | Level | Qualifications often asked for |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts assistant, purchase or sales ledger clerk | Entry | AAT (or studying), good Excel |
| Payroll administrator | Entry | Payroll experience or CIPP qualifications helpful |
| Audit associate or tax trainee | Graduate or school leaver | Training towards ACA, ACCA or CTA |
| Assistant accountant | Junior | AAT Level 4 or part-qualified ACCA or CIMA |
| Management or financial accountant | Qualified or nearly qualified | ACA, ACCA or CIMA |
| Fund accountant | Junior to qualified | Degree or AAT, ACCA or ACA valued |
| Financial controller | Senior | Qualified, with several years' experience |
| Finance manager or finance director | Senior | Qualified, with leadership experience |
What accounting jobs in London pay
The figures below are UK salaries from TonyKnows career data. London roles often pay more than these national figures, particularly in large firms and financial services, but the extra varies a lot by employer and role. London also costs more to live and commute in, so compare offers on what you will actually take home after rent and travel.
| Career | Starting | Mid-career | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeper | around £20,000 to £28,000 | around £28,000 to £40,000 | around £45,000 to £65,000 |
| Payroll specialist | around £24,000 to £30,000 | around £32,000 to £45,000 | around £48,000 to £65,000 |
| Accountant | around £24,000 to £32,000 (trainee) | around £45,000 to £70,000 (qualified) | around £90,000 to £200,000+ (partner or CFO) |
| External auditor | around £28,000 to £35,000 | around £45,000 to £70,000 | around £90,000 to £150,000 |
| Internal auditor | around £32,000 to £45,000 | around £55,000 to £80,000 | around £90,000 to £140,000 |
| Tax advisor | around £35,000 to £45,000 | around £50,000 to £70,000 | around £80,000 to £150,000+ |
| Financial analyst | around £28,000 to £40,000 | around £50,000 to £80,000 | around £90,000 to £150,000+ |
| Finance manager | around £45,000 to £60,000 | around £60,000 to £85,000 | around £95,000 to £140,000 |
The biggest jump usually comes when you qualify. For a stage-by-stage view, see the UK accounting salary ladder from trainee to partner and our accountant salary guide.
How to get into accounting in London
AAT
The AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification has three main levels (2, 3 and 4) and is a common way into entry-level accounting jobs without a degree. Many London employers ask for AAT, or for candidates studying it, for accounts assistant and assistant accountant roles. AAT Level 4 can also bring exemptions from some ACCA exams later.
Apprenticeships
Accounting apprenticeships let you earn a salary while your training is funded. They run from Level 3 (assistant accountant) through Level 4 (professional accounting or taxation technician) up to the Level 7 Accountancy or Taxation Professional apprenticeship, which leads to the ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CTA. London has plenty of apprenticeship vacancies at large firms, in the public sector and in industry. Our guide on how accounting apprenticeships really work covers the details.
Graduate schemes
Large firms, banks and some public bodies run graduate schemes, usually training you towards the ACA or ACCA. Most accept any degree subject, and many recruit on a rolling basis, so applying early helps. Expect online tests, a video interview and an assessment centre.
Changing career
If you are moving from another field, an entry-level finance role plus AAT or ACCA study is the usual route. Experience in admin, banking, retail management or payroll is often relevant. Read how to become an accountant in the UK for the full set of routes, and compare the professional qualifications in our accounting qualifications guide.
Where to find accounting jobs in London
- Job boards such as LinkedIn and Indeed carry most London accounting vacancies. Filter by location and job title, and set alerts for the titles in the table above.
- Professional body job boards run by ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA list roles aimed at their students and members.
- Specialist finance recruiters handle a large share of London accounting jobs, especially in industry and financial services. It is worth registering with two or three that cover your level.
- Employer websites are the main way to apply for graduate schemes, school-leaver programmes and apprenticeships at large firms.
- Civil Service Jobs lists finance roles across government departments, and councils and NHS trusts advertise on their own sites.
- Direct approaches to smaller practices can work well. A short, tailored email with your CV often reaches the partner who makes the decision.
How to stand out
Your CV
London employers see a lot of applications, so make your CV easy to scan. Put your qualification status near the top, for example "ACCA, 9 of 13 exams passed" or "AAT Level 3 qualified". List the software you have used, such as Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, SAP or Oracle, and give specific examples of your work: month-end tasks, reconciliations, number of clients, or a process you improved. Our accountant CV example shows how to lay it out.
Qualifications
Being part-way through a recognised qualification makes a real difference. If you are not yet studying, starting AAT or the ACCA's first exams shows commitment. For trainee roles, strong exam results matter, because employers want people who will pass first time.
Skills that London employers notice
- Excel: lookups, pivot tables and clean, checked spreadsheets.
- Attention to detail: the core skill in any accounting job.
- Communication: explaining numbers to people who are not accountants.
- Commercial awareness: understanding how the employer makes money.
- Sector knowledge: for financial services roles, some understanding of funds, banking or insurance helps.
Is London the right place for an accounting career?
London gives you the widest choice of employers, the most exposure to large and complex clients and, often, higher pay. Hybrid working is common in many finance teams, which can make a long commute easier. The trade-off is cost of living, and in some large firms long hours during busy season.
If you live outside London, many of the same firms have regional offices, and you can sometimes build experience there before moving. Either way, the qualification you earn and the experience you build travel with you.
Build your accounting CV Use the TonyKnows CV builder to create a clear, ATS-friendly CV for London accounting roles in a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much do accountants earn in London?
TonyKnows career data puts UK accountant pay at around £24,000 to £32,000 for trainees, around £45,000 to £70,000 once qualified, and around £90,000 to £200,000 or more at partner or CFO level. London roles often pay more than these national figures, especially in large firms and financial services.
Can I get an accounting job in London without a degree?
Yes. Many London employers recruit through AAT and accounting apprenticeships, from Level 3 up to the Level 7 professional apprenticeship, which leads to the ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CTA. Entry-level roles such as accounts assistant are often open to people studying AAT.
What are the most common accounting jobs in London?
Common roles include accounts assistant, assistant accountant, audit associate, tax trainee, management accountant, financial accountant, fund accountant and financial controller. Financial services roles such as product control and regulatory reporting are more common in London than elsewhere.
Which accounting qualification do London employers want?
It depends on the role. AAT is common for entry-level jobs. Large firms usually train graduates for the ACA, while industry and financial services employers often support the ACCA or CIMA. Most senior adverts ask for any of ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
Are accounting jobs in London hybrid?
Many are. Hybrid working is common in industry finance teams and many firms, often with a set number of office days each week. Audit roles can involve time at client offices, and some financial services roles expect more time in the office.
Related reading
Not sure this is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you commit to the training.