Accountant pay and jobs in finance both on the up

The annual survey, based on responses from more than 1,100 ICAS members, found that 37.9 per cent had received an above-inflation pay rise in the past 12 months, 25.4 percent had seen pay rise in line with inflation, while 23.5 per cent saw no increase.

The figures also revealed that the highest average salary in the UK is, predictably, London and the south east of England at £140,718.

In Scotland, the average across Lothian, Borders, Central and Tayside was £72,294, compared with £68,746 in the west and south west.

Across Grampian, Highlands and Islands the average was £78,836.

Salaries in the European Union were at a similar level to London while North American accountants got close to £206,000.

The highest average salaries were found in Asia at £297,400, although ICAS pointed out the sample size there was modest.

However, at the other end of the scale, there were still 20 per cent of ICAS members reporting a pay freeze across their organisation, although that was down from the 26 per cent recorded in 2014 and the 34 per cent in 2013.

More than one in five (21.9 per cent) of CAs polled also expects to change jobs within the next 12 months.

ICAS cited the easing of “austerity measures” in the profession as reason for the increase in salaries as economic conditions improve for many of its members.

Of those surveyed, 15.1 per cent said they were ‘very happy’ with their current remuneration and 67.9 per cent were ‘happy’.

Meanwhile, separate research carried out by recruitment firm Eden Scott has found that the number of available roles in accountancy and finance north of the Border is on a “definite upward trajectory”.

Placement fees have risen almost 50 per cent in the past year at the Edinburgh-based company, which has also seen a 6 per cent increase in new permanent roles.

Accountancy and finance senior consultant Mike Leeman said: “We have the uncertainty of the referendum behind us and a decision made on government for the next five years, so firms are now looking at how they can take advantage of the general economic growth.

“We are now finding not only the standard finance roles but also more strategic and commercial roles are being released by clients.”