Demand for accountants leads to high salaries

High demand in the south-east means that chartered accountants in the region enjoy an average annual salary of £81,000.

Research from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has revealed that chartered accountants working for the largest companies in the south-east have an earning potential of up to £125,000.

Managing director Phil Sheridan said: "With the dearth of skilled finance professionals in today's job market in the south-east, employers are looking carefully at what they are offering in terms of remuneration packages in order to attract and retain qualified, high level ACAs."

According to ICAEW chief executive Michael Izza, the south-east has the highest concentration of accredited accountants nationally, at 19 per cent, the Surrey Advertiser reports.

The research also shows that 80 per cent of FTSE 100 companies have at least one chartered accountant on their team and around half of chartered accountants work outside public practice in financial services, banking, commerce and industry.