Chartered Accountant

Chartered accountants are financial professionals who help individuals, businesses and organisations manage their money. Their work covers a wide range of areas, including auditing (checking financial records are accurate), tax advice, corporate finance, business recovery and consultancy. Some specialise in helping companies grow, while others focus on ensuring organisations meet legal and financial regulations. It’s a career that combines problem-solving, analysis and communication, as you’ll often work directly with clients to explain complex financial information in a clear way. Chartered accountants can work in accountancy firms, private companies, government departments, charities and even international organisations.

Salaries vary depending on experience, location and sector, but it’s generally a well-paid profession. Trainee accountants might earn between £20,000 and £30,000 a year while completing their qualifications. Once fully qualified, salaries typically rise to £40,000–£60,000. With more experience, particularly in senior or specialist roles, earnings can exceed £80,000, and in top positions, six-figure salaries are possible.

You don’t need to study accountancy at school to follow this career path, but strong numeracy and analytical skills are essential. Subjects like mathematics, business studies and economics are particularly useful, as they help you understand numbers and financial systems. However, many chartered accountants come from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including humanities and sciences. Good written and verbal communication is just as important as numerical ability, so English and other essay-based subjects can also give you valuable skills.

There are several routes into the profession. Many people go to university and then join a graduate scheme with an accountancy firm, where they train while working towards a professional qualification such as the ACA (from ICAEW) or ACCA. Others enter the field through school-leaver or apprenticeship programmes, which combine paid work with study. These are excellent options if you want to start earning straight after school or college. Whichever route you choose, you’ll need to complete a period of practical training and pass a series of exams to gain chartered status.

Getting some work experience in finance, even part-time or voluntary, can give you a head start. Strong IT skills are also helpful, as accounting increasingly involves specialist software. With determination, attention to detail and a willingness to learn, you can build a rewarding career as a chartered accountant.

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Details of degree courses can be found on the UCAS website.

What is an ICAEW chartered accountant?

Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) - Start your career

ACCA – Why ACCA

Prospects – Chartered Accountant

Prospects – How to become an accountant

Want to know what it's like to work as a chartered accountant? Watch the video in How Did You Get That Job? to find out more.