Accountant jobs in the United Kingdom
UK accounting is fast-paced and deadline-driven: month-end close, reconciliations, VAT cycles and audit readiness. If you can evidence controls, accuracy and ownership, UK employers will notice.
Many UK “accountant” roles are built around reliable month-end routines (journals, balance-sheet ownership, reporting packs). Strong Excel + clean documentation often matters as much as job title.
Employers in the UK typically hire for outcomes: close on time, reconcile properly, report clearly. If your CV shows structured processes and measurable improvements, you are already ahead.
Typical responsibilities (UK reality)
- Run month-end tasks: journals, accruals/prepayments, and balance-sheet reconciliations.
- Prepare management accounts: P&L commentary, variance analysis, KPI packs.
- Support statutory reporting and audit: schedules, evidence, and controls.
- Maintain VAT / compliance support (role-dependent): data checks and submissions workflow.
- Work with operations and managers to improve accuracy of cost and revenue allocation.
- Close the month cleanly: reconcile key accounts, post journals, resolve anomalies.
- Build reporting packs: explain movements, not just numbers.
- Own documentation: working papers that stand up to audit review.
- Improve processes: reduce close time, automate checks, standardise templates.
- Coordinate with payroll/AP/AR where boundaries overlap.
- General ledger ownership: accurate posting, clear narratives, strong controls.
- Cash-flow awareness: timing, accuracy of accruals, and working-capital focus.
- Stakeholder communication: crisp updates, action lists, and resolved blockers.
- Audit readiness: traceability from ledger to evidence and approvals.
- Continuous improvement: remove recurring errors and strengthen month-end cadence.
Requirements (detailed)
Requirements vary by employer, sector, and whether the role is qualified/regulated.
| Level | What employers typically expect |
|---|---|
| Assistant / Accounts | Reconciliations, invoice workflow (AP/AR), basic journals, Excel fundamentals, accuracy under supervision. AAT study is a frequent advantage. |
| Part-qualified | Active study towards ACCA/ACA/CIMA, month-end ownership of selected accounts, accruals/prepayments, variance analysis, basic reporting packs, strong Excel. |
| Qualified | ACCA/ACA/CIMA (or equivalent) plus strong controls mindset, audit liaison, statutory reporting exposure, stakeholder management, and ability to lead improvements. |
| Specialist | Tax, fund accounting, forensic, consolidation, IFRS/UK GAAP technical focus, or sector-specific compliance and reporting requirements. |
Gross salary benchmarks (GBP)
These are practical benchmarks, not an offer. Gross = before tax. Location (especially London) and specialism can move figures materially.
| Role band | Typical gross (per year) | Approx. gross (per hour)* |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Accountant | £29,000 – £33,000 | £14.87 – £16.92 |
| Part-qualified (assistant / junior management) | £33,000 – £42,000 | £16.92 – £21.54 |
| Management Accountant (mid) | £38,000 – £50,000 | £19.49 – £25.64 |
| Qualified / “Chartered & Certified” band | £49,200+ (going-rate reference) | £25.23+ |
*Hourly estimates use a 37.5-hour week (52 weeks) to align with UK Skilled Worker going-rate conventions.
Working conditions in the UK (what to expect)
- Hours: many finance teams operate around a standard full-time week, with peaks at month-end and year-end.
- Hybrid: common in office roles; employers often set 2–3 office days, but practices vary.
- Holiday: statutory entitlement is 5.6 weeks (28 days for a 5-day week), sometimes inclusive of public holidays.
- Pension: most employers provide a workplace pension scheme (automatic enrolment rules apply).
- Probation & notice: frequently used in UK contracts; exact terms depend on employer policy.
A day-in-the-life (short story)
In many UK finance teams, the rhythm is predictable: reconcile, explain, then improve. You start with balance-sheet ownership, clear aged items, and clean journals. As deadlines approach, you build a concise commentary so managers understand “why” numbers moved, not just “what” moved.
UK employers often hire accountants to reduce uncertainty. The best candidates show a disciplined close checklist, tidy working papers, and the ability to chase missing inputs without friction. That combination turns month-end from a fire drill into a repeatable process.
The quickest way to stand out is to show you can own an end-to-end slice: collect data, validate it, post correctly, reconcile accounts, and communicate outcomes. UK businesses reward accountants who combine control with pragmatic delivery.
Sponsorship signals (realistic)
- More likely: qualified roles (ACCA/ACA/CIMA) with technical scope and salaries aligned to Skilled Worker requirements.
- Less likely: entry-level bookkeeping / purely transactional roles (often lower salary and may not meet route rules).
- Baseline rule: roles usually need to meet the standard salary threshold and the occupation’s going rate (whichever is higher).
What MaViAl provides
- Role matching based on your CV and real client demand.
- Profile positioning: highlight UK-relevant accounting scope and outcomes.
- Clear application steps and contact support.
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FAQ (UK Accountant jobs)
Can an accountant get visa sponsorship in the UK?
Sometimes. Sponsorship depends on the employer being a licensed sponsor, the occupation code eligibility, and salary rules (threshold and going rate). Qualified accountant roles are more likely to qualify than purely entry-level roles.
Do I need ACCA / ACA / CIMA to apply?
Not always. Assistant roles may accept AAT study or experience. Part-qualified roles often require active ACCA/ACA/CIMA study. Many “accountant” roles in the UK prefer a recognised qualification or a clear plan to complete one.
What gross salary is realistic for accounting roles?
Gross pay depends on seniority, location and scope. Assistant roles often sit around the low 30s; mid-level management accounting often reaches the 40s; qualified and specialised roles frequently move higher.
What is month-end close?
It is the monthly process of finalising financials: posting journals (accruals/prepayments), reconciling accounts, preparing management accounts, and meeting reporting deadlines with audit-ready documentation.
What should I put on a UK accounting CV?
Show scope (month-end, VAT, reporting), systems used, Excel level, qualification status, and measurable outcomes (faster close, improved reconciliations, fewer audit queries). Keep it concise and in English.