Average chartered accountant salary in Leinster climbs 10% to more than €123,400

New findings from the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society revealed that 90% of respondents overall said their total remuneration has increased in the past three years

Two-thirds of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the salary they receive, with 90% of respondents overall saying their total remuneration has increased in the past three years.

The earning potential for Chartered Accountants working in Leinster has increased significantly in the past twelve months, with the average salary package now standing at €123,466, data published by the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society reveals. 

That is up by 4% compared to the previous year, with the average basic salary of a newly qualified chartered accountant rising to more than €62,300, up by 5.6% compared to 2023. 

The annual survey of over 1,100 Chartered Accountants shows strong growth in remuneration packages, with longer-term trends showing a 10% rise in average salaries packages between 2019 and 2024.

Two-thirds of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the salary they receive, with 90% of respondents overall saying their total remuneration has increased in the past three years.

In addition, 33% of respondents said it had increased by more than 25%, with four in five claiming their total remuneration is expected to increase within the next 12 months. As part of the remuneration package, 73% expect to receive a bonus in 2024.

Salary packages

The vast majority (87%) of members surveyed said they have a pension, with employers contributing an average 9% of their salary. After basic salary, this pension contribution is the most valued part of their package for 54% of respondents.

The other most common elements in respondents’ salary packages are payment of professional subscriptions (79%), Cycle to Work scheme (59%), health insurance (55%), and sponsored professional development (51%).

In addition to salaries, the society also conducted research on the use of AI within the sector, with the survey finding that more than half of respondents saw it as a "significant opportunity" for the profession.

Some 55% said it will allow the profession to move further up the value chain in terms of the work it does, compared to 47% in 2023, while 57% of respondents said they that artificial intelligence will impact positively on their career.

In terms of the wider impact of technology on the profession, 60% feel that cloud-based accounting solutions will impact positively on their career, with 68% of respondents saying the same about automation.

“It is very encouraging to see growing enthusiasm about the potential of AI to move Chartered Accountants’ work further up the value chain," said Damien Carr, Chairperson of Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society.

"AI will not replace human judgement or strategic decision making. 44% of respondents agree that AI should be a regulatory priority, and I am confident that regulations such as the new EU AI Act will guide business and society in achieving this important balance."

Mr Carr added that continued increases in newly qualified and average salaries demonstrates the level of demand that continues to exist for the which will help "attract the brightest talent to Chartered Accountants Ireland into the future.” 

Non-monetary rewards    

The survey findings identified a range of initiatives across Irish workplaces to facilitate team healthy work-life balance, with the most common tools being the option for hybrid working (available to 83% of respondents), parental and carers’ leave (available to 49% of respondents), and an employee assistance programme (available to 50% of respondents).

Job satisfaction was high amongst those surveyed, with 63% satisfied with the non-monetary aspects of their job, 76% of members satisfied with their work environment, and 66% happy with work/life balance.

“Despite the continued backdrop of macro level uncertainty over the past 12 months, the demand for accounting talent seen in 2023 has continued strongly into 2024," said Elaine Brady, Managing Partner at Barden, who helped produce the survey.

"Differentiating themselves and creating clear career paths is a key challenge for companies throughout Ireland. Accurate data on intrinsic and extrinsic reward can create competitive advantage for those who choose to use it."