The annual basic salary of an ACA accountant in 2011 is £82,400, a 4% increase since the 2010 and 2% higher than in 2009, according to the ICAEW’s fifth careers benchmarking survey. However, with all these things the average salary figures are inflated by a small number of high earners. The median salary for all ACAs is perhaps a better indicator of the majority earnings, and this is £70,700. The survey found that ACAs in their first four years after qualification are particularly in demand, especially within larger businesses. Bosses said they wanted people who can demonstrate analytical, presentation and communication skills. ACAs in the first two years of their post-qualification career earn an average gross salary of £45,200 (median £45,000). The average bonus was £1,600 (4% of average salary).
