Accounting Jobs
London and UK
Find the perfect balance of accounting work and overseas adventure.
Work as Accountant in the UK
The UK is an exciting place for accountants, with opportunities ranging from the “square mile” in London to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. London has a long history as a financial centre, although other European cities are now vying for this title. Nonetheless, the UK’s financial services industry remains strong, and accountants with overseas experience are in demand throughout the country.
The Opportunity
Employment Scope
Find contract, permanent, remote, part-time, and freelance positions in the private and public sectors. The range of accountancy jobs in the United Kingdom includes opportunities for partially to fully qualified accountants and others with relevant experience.
Demand
There is a high demand for accounting professionals across the UK, with numerous accountancy vacancies for those with the right skills.
Lifestyle
Choose to settle in bustling London or elsewhere like England, and structure contracts to allow for travel or remote work.
Available Opportunities
There is quite an array of accounting opportunities for working travellers. Positions range from part-qualified to Chartered Accountant. Employment can be found within the private and public sectors, in-house, or within large firms including banking accounting, management accounting, treasury, and audit. Some roles even offer sponsorship.
Common Accounting Jobs
- Project Accountant
- Controller
- Certified Public Accountant
- Forensic Accountant
- Auditor
- Accounting Clerk
- Financial Officer
- Financial Analyst
- Management Accountant
- Cost accountant
- Investment accountant
Beyond the Private Sector: Public Sector and Banking
Apart from the conventional accounting roles you would expect to find in a metropolis, two major areas stand out – Public Sector and Banking.
Public Sector: Contrary to popular belief, public sector accounting is diverse and thriving, including local and federal government and the National Health Service, which are all evolving to become far more commercially focused. However, budget cuts sometimes makes it more difficult to secure employment.
Banking and Finance: The Banking and Finance sector, particularly in London, has provided exciting opportunities and continues to provide excellent job options for people from overseas. Some common areas are financial accounting/ reporting and financial analysis. Another big area is commerce where responsibilities for accountants vary from management, and financial accounting to business analysis and project-driven roles.
An International Market: London and Beyond
Find positions in bustling London, just outside the city in what some call “real England,” or throughout Scotland, where accountants are also in demand. Some working travellers are also finding employment in other major centres such as Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
| Position | Location | Rate Per Hour | Per Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll Clerk | UK | £ 11-16 | £ 1,540 - 2,117 |
| Credit Controller | UK | £ 12-17 | £ 1,712 - 2,266 |
| Senior Credit Controller | UK | £ 13-21 | £ 1,780 - 2,773 |
| Accounts Assistant | UK | £ 14-16 | £ 1,680 - 1,970 |
| Senior Accounts Assistant | UK | £ 13-30 | £ 1,950 - 4,000 |
| Senior Payroll Officer | UK | £ 16-21 | £ 1,720 - 2,333 |
| Part-time accounts assistant | UK | £ 14-16 | £ 1,680 - 1,960 |
| Internal Auditor | UK | £ 16-35 | £ 2,370- 4,740 |
| Management Accountant | UK | £ 17-24 | £ 2,300 - 3,270 |
| Assistant Accountant | UK | £ 17-22 | £ 1,840 - 2,320 |
| Fund accountant | UK | £ 12-31 | £ 1,700 - 4,400 |
| Finance Assistant | UK | £ 9-11 | £ 1,680 - 2,000 |
| Purchase Ledger Assistant | UK | £ 12-14 | £ 1,600-1,970 |
| Senior Purchase Ledger Clerk | UK | £ 12-17 | £ 1,700 - 2,290 |
| Credit Controller | UK | £ 12-17 | £ 1,700 - 2,260 |
| Senior Credit Controller | UK | £ 13-21 | £ 1,700 - 2,770 |
| Accounts Assistant | UK | £ 14-16 | £ 1,680 - 1,960 |
| Accounts Supervisor | UK | £ 14 - 21 | £ 1,920 - 2,920 |
| Accounts Manager | UK | £ 16 - 21 | £ 2,170 - 2,830 |
| Credit Specialist | UK | £ 8 - 17 | £ 1,590 - 3,250 |
| Credit Manager | UK | £ 26 - 58 | £ 1,950 - 5,940 |
| Management Accountant | UK | £ 17 - 24 | £ 2,450 - 3,260 |
| Chartered Financial Planner | UK | £ 23 - 31 | £ 3,060 - 4,120 |
| Financial Accountant | UK | £ 20 - 21 | £ 2,690 - 3,710 |
How to Prepare
Experience Required
For a degree-qualified accountant, you will ideally be qualified or have 1-2 years of solid experience in your home country. As an accounts assistant or in general accounts, experience will be the key, and once again; 1-2 years experience is accepted. The possible exception to this rule is if you hold an EU passport or UK Ancestry Visa where you can be considered for permanent positions on an equal footing with your British recent graduate counterparts.
Qualifications You Need
Degrees, diplomas, and certificate qualifications gained in many countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or Canada will be recognised. If you’re considering long-term opportunities in the UK transferring your qualifications can be advantageous. The majority of professional qualifications earned outside of the UK will be transferrable. To achieve the equivalent UK qualification, often you will need to acquire some UK experience and sit some exams.
Exactly how much experience and additional study you need to do is a function of the qualifications you currently have, and the country from which you received your qualifications. Either way, it’s helpful to get to know the major British professional qualifications: ACA, ICAS, CIMA AND ACCA.
Major British Professional Qualifications
An ACA qualification from the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) is a top-notch qualification that qualifies you to be a chartered accountant.
A global professional membership organisation and business network for Chartered Accountants. Gaining this qualification allows you to earn a competitive salary.
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is one of the big names in accounting qualifications. By earning its credentials. You will be all set to work at accounting firms, in any sector, or even kick off your own business.
CIMA has passed the professional examinations required for membership of the qualified Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants respectively.
While not one of the 3 major qualifications, there is also the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAAT) which enables people to study whilst working. It offers practical training and qualifications in key accounting tasks and can lead towards Chartered Accountancy
Find out about specific qualification requirements by visiting their official websites.
Skills of the Ideal Candidate
In general, experience of relevant industry systems, specialised products and competency in using a spreadsheet are all skills that you should ensure are communicated clearly on your resume. Also if you are multilingual be sure to put this at the top of your resume, there are a considerable number of accounting opportunities in the UK that require competency in another language.
Table of Contents
FAQs
Answers to some questions you might have
Can I secure an accounting job before arriving in the UK?
It is not common to secure a position prior to leaving home but there is a lot you can do before you arrive.
Before you leave home, you should endeavour to make contact with recruitment agencies that specialise in helping accountants. These companies can ensure you are put forward to roles that are suitable for your experience and also match your visa and travel needs if required. This way you can hit the ground running.
What kind of accounting opportunities are available in the UK?
Whether you’re a partially or fully qualified accountant or simply have significant relevant experience, you will find a suitable opportunity in England or Scotland. Both contract and permanent positions are available in the Private Sector, as well as in the Public and Banking and Finance Sectors. You can expect to find a long-term contract job or a series of short-term contract positions.
Will my overseas qualifications be recognised in Britain?
The certificate qualifications, as well as the degrees and diplomas, that you’ve earned in countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or Canada will be recognised in the UK. In some cases, additional practising certificates will be required depending on your country. Nonetheless, your experience will also be highly regarded and once you gain UK experience you will find your resume will lead to even more opportunities.
Should I get UK accounting qualifications?
There are four professional accounting qualifications – ACA, CIMA, ACCA and AAT. These qualifications are given to individuals by the various professional accounting organisations in the UK. There is a perception by British employers that different qualifications are advantageous for different roles. As with most professions, however, your experience is the most important consideration. If you are planning a long-term stay or want to continue along a particular career path you would do well to consider gaining the qualifications in line with your aspirations. Since CA or CPA qualifications are international they are quickly recognised.
How much will I earn?
Pay rates of course depend on your specific experience and on the company or institution that employs you. As a general rule, as you gain UK experience, your rate will go up accordingly. British qualifications and part-qualifications such as ACA, CIMA, and ACCA may also factor into the equation. Check the full earnings table to have a general overview of pay rates.
Where are the accounting opportunities in England and Scotland?
Traditionally there are a wide variety of accounting positions throughout England and Scotland. In the city of London, for example, there has always been a high demand for contractors. Outside of London, there are also opportunities on offer. Scotland in particular has a steady need for qualified accountants. Many companies have offices just outside of London in the nearby counties. Working in these counties, such as Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey enables many travellers to live just outside of London in what some call “real England” or alternately enjoy the many fruits of living in London with the advantage of an easy commute against the traffic. A growing number of travellers are also finding employment in the major centres such as Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
What is the minimum experience required?
You should have 1-2 years of relevant experience in your home country, regardless of whether you’re a degree-qualified accountant, or work as an accounts assistant or in general accounts. The only potential exception to this rule applies to travellers with an EU passport or Ancestry Visa. In these cases, you may be able to compete with other recent graduates from the UK but if possible gaining experience at home will put you at a significant advantage.
Whether you’re looking for entry-level positions, part-time work, or even freelance opportunities, the accountancy jobs in the United Kingdom offer a diverse and fulfilling career path. If you have an interest in teaching, roles as a finance lecturer are also available. The UK’s dynamic finance sector, particularly in London, is continually evolving, providing an array of opportunities for professionals at all stages of their careers.
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