Wondering how much accountants earn in Ireland? Whether you're considering a career in finance or are already established, it's essential to understand salary trends. Here, we'll examine the earnings of accountants across various roles, from entry-level to senior leadership, while exploring how factors such as education, experience, and specialisation influence their earning potential.
| Role | Average Salary (Yearly) | Top Salary Potential | Entry Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Accountant | €48,500 – €65,000 | €71,000+ | Degree in Accounting / Finance |
| Accounting Technician | €29,000 – €35,000 | €50,000 | AAT / ACCA (CAT) qualification |
| Chartered Accountant | €59,000 | €101,000+ | ACA / ACCA / CPA |
| Bookkeeper | €25,000 – €35,000 | €40,000 – €50,000 | Experience or basic accounting training |
| Financial Advisor | €34,000 – €51,000 | €115,000+ (private clients) | QFA or relevant finance qualifications |
| CFO (Chief Financial Officer) | €105,000 – €117,000 | €150,000+ (varies) | 10–20+ years’ experience + CPA/ACA |
| Forensic Accountant | €32,000 | €49,000 | CPA/ACA + legal/compliance background |
What Is the Average Chartered Accountant Salary in Ireland? How Can You Earn More?
This blog will focus on the general term 'accountant' when discussing salaries, as we know there are several types of accountants, ranging from Auditors to Finance Managers. So, how does an accountant's salary measure up? As mentioned, the term 'accountant' is vague and could encompass many different job titles. According to available data, the average accountant salary Ireland offers is somewhere between €46,000 to €71,000 a year, depending on qualifications, industry, company size and sadly also depending on gender. It will also depend on the type of accounting job you wish to pursue, such as public accounting, financial accounting, general accounting, corporate accounting, and so on.
Despite women earning significantly less than their male counterparts, surveys have found that female accountants are more likely to hold a professional accounting qualification. So, make sure to know how much the position you're interviewing for should pay, and do not sell yourself short.
Before accepting an offer, check multiple salary sources (e.g. Glassdoor, IrishJobs.ie, industry salary surveys). Consider the comprehensive compensation package, which includes bonus potential, pension contributions, paid training, and healthcare benefits.
Many Irish accountants secure 10–20% higher offers simply by negotiating with current data in hand.
It's essential to have a grasp of accountant salaries as it allows you to compare your salary with industry standards, ensuring that you're being fairly compensated for your skills and expertise. This knowledge empowers you to negotiate salary packages when looking for job opportunities. By understanding the salaries for accounting roles in Ireland, you can confidently discuss your expectations with potential employers or clients.
when you consider all types of accountants.
Understanding accountant salaries also helps in planning for the future. By understanding the earning potential within your field, you can set realistic goals and make informed decisions about advancing your career. Whether you're interested in specialising in a specific area of accounting or pursuing further education, having an understanding of the potential financial rewards provides the motivation and guidance needed to achieve your objectives.
What Does a Qualified Accountant Do?
Many of us hold rather simplistic views of professions we’re not familiar with. For instance, some people contend that when they post a letter, their letter carrier takes it directly to its intended recipient – wherever they may be - with no knowledge of the complex systems and technology involved in sorting and delivering mail.
The same is true for every job, from a banker to a porter. It’s natural to assume that the publicly visible part of such jobs is all that there is to it. This attitude is reflected in the perennial question “How hard can it be?” It's no surprise that an accountant’s scope of work takes people aback.
At the entry level, accountants ‘maintain the books’. Several bookkeeping jobs are constantly advertised in Ireland. These professionals do not require the same level of education as qualified accountants, although they still earn a good income.
A bookkeeper's salary can range between €25,000 and €35,000 p.a., increasing to between €40,000 and €50,000. The large salary bracket for this type of role depends on factors such as experience, the region you live in, the kind of company you are looking to work for, and whether you work for yourself, among others.
When salary ranges are published, they often include variables that aren’t immediately obvious, like location, role seniority, and bonus structures.
For example, an accountant in Dublin may earn significantly more than someone in a rural area, even in a similar role. Always factor in living costs and career progression paths when reviewing average salary ranges.
The public is probably most familiar with this form of accountancy, but keepers cover a wide range of tasks, from personal taxes to company ledgers and financial paperwork. That’s pretty much where the public vision of accounting begins and ends. Of course, physical ledgers are quite nearly a thing of the past; these days, computer software is the overwhelming choice for accountants of all stripes.
What about calculating duties, tariffs and taxes, another aspect of modern accounting that Bob Cratchit didn’t have to deal with? That, too, is strictly the purview of accountants.
So, the titles and types of accountants featured in this article delve much deeper into the fiscal well-being of a company, city, country and the world than the common idea portrays.
Now, we'll take a closer look at specific jobs in the accounting field, including the education and certification required, as well as the corresponding salaries.
What Is an Accounting Technician?
Accounting technicians often hold entry-level positions that you can access either through the AAT Accounting Qualification or the ACCA Certified Accounting Technician qualification (CAT). The job primarily involves traditional bookkeeping duties, including processing invoices, recording payments and receipts, ensuring that ledgers are balanced, and submitting tax and VAT returns, as well as National Insurance contributions. An accounting technician can also handle a corporation's expenses and payroll systems.
Most of the work is computerised these days, and this job is pretty much desk-bound unless you are self-employed, say, as a CPA, in which case, you are more likely to travel from client to client. A more senior Accounting Technician can also take on budgeting, reporting, and tax return preparation, or become an assistant controller.
The salary in this role is much lower than in other accountancy jobs while training to get your certification. The average salary for an Accounting Technician is €29,268 gross per year (€2,440 gross per month), which is 27% lower than the national average salary in Ireland. Pay Scale: An accounting Technician can expect an average starting salary of €20,190. The highest salaries can exceed €39,700.
Becoming a Chartered Accountant in Ireland
One step above Accounting Technicians, the chartered certification will open many more doors and will give a bump to your paycheck.
Chartered Accountants are more focused on consultancy and auditing. In addition to managing financial systems and budgets, Chartered Accountants are also required to conduct internal audits or collaborate with a certified internal auditor to assess a company's financial health. Following such inspections, they often advise clients on tax planning, potential business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, or dealing with a company's bankruptcy.
Chartered Accountants often specialise in management accounting and can oversee the work of an entire accounting department. They would also be responsible for overseeing every internal auditor on the payroll. Initially, income remains relatively low, even for Chartered Accountants; however, after two to four years following your qualification, it will be time to renegotiate. At that point, the average Chartered Accountant can expect around €56,000 (including bonus).
once you consider their bonuses.
The average salary for a Chartered Accountant is €59,000, which is significantly higher than the national average salary in Ireland. Pay Scale: A Chartered Accountant can expect an average starting salary of €45,626. The highest salaries can exceed €185,000. This does not include bonuses with variations depending on which accounting firm is hiring you.
Salary packages for Chartered Accountants may include bonuses, car allowances, and fringe benefits.
See Shane's story about becoming a Chartered Accountant.
How Much Do Financial Advisers Earn in Ireland?
If you prefer a more consultancy-based career, accountants can also become financial advisors. Their job is to provide clients with specialist advice on how to manage and 'grow' their money.
This job can vary and is often divided into two categories:
Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs), research and consider all retail investment products and suppliers available to meet their clients' needs. They must remain unbiased and offer unrestricted advice.
Restricted Advisors are limited to a particular niche or range of products or providers.
In both cases, as a Financial Advisor, you will need to manage a client list and schedule meetings. Your role will also include reviewing your client's financial situation and advising them based on the risk analysis that you have completed. You will also need to design financial strategies based on the results of your market research and adapt them in response to a client's changing circumstances or needs.
Qualified financial advisors can earn between €34,000 and €51,000 per year. Senior financial advisors working with an average-wealth client base can earn approximately €69,000. Wealth managers or private client advisers who are based in the wealth division of retail and private banks can earn over €115,000.
What Factors Influence Accountant Salaries in Ireland?
Despite what you’ve read so far, it’s possible that you still believe accounting is fundamentally adding to the credits column of a balance sheet and subtracting from the debits column. In the most basic sense, that is true. Accounting, at its core, is a matter of arithmetic, but that overlooks several key points. The role of an accountant is constantly evolving, perhaps more so now than ever before, and at a faster rate too. Let's examine how salaries reflect the role of an accountant and how that role has evolved in response to technological advancements.
Just like any other career, the salaries of accountants in Ireland are primarily influenced by experience and education. Typically, as you progress in your accounting career and gain experience, your earning potential also increases. This is because expertise enhances your skills, knowledge and ability to handle accounting tasks. Accountants with years of experience may qualify for higher-level positions, which often come with higher salaries.
Education and professional qualifications significantly impact accountant salaries in Ireland. Holding an accounting degree, such as a Bachelor's or Master's in Accounting, can open doors to paying positions and increase your value in the job market.
The future outlook for accountant salaries in Ireland appears promising, driven by industry trends. The demand for accountants is expected to remain strong due to factors such as changes, globalisation and technological advancements.
As businesses continue to expand and face complex financial regulations, there will be a growing need for skilled accountants. This increased demand could result in salaries as organisations compete for top-notch accounting professionals.
The accounting industry is undergoing significant changes due to advancements in technology, including automation and artificial intelligence. Although there are concerns that accounting tasks will be replaced by automation, it is more likely that these technologies will enable accountants to dedicate their time to more valuable activities.
This transition towards advisory positions has the potential to result in increased productivity and, consequently, larger salaries for accountants who adopt these technological advancements and adapt their skill sets accordingly.
What Does an Investment Analyst Do and Earn?
In the banking industry, an Investment Analyst is crucial in helping traders, wealth managers, and stockbrokers make informed decisions about potential investments.
Their work with banks, corporations, hedge funds, life insurance companies, pension funds, and wealthy individuals consists of providing insight into economic trends and evaluating the potential returns of various investments. This job primarily consists of analysing data from different sources and identifying trends to make informed recommendations for your clients or managers.
It will require you to assess performance results, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. You will also need to keep up to date with market developments, new products, and movements in the relevant country's economy. It also requires you to stay on top of world news, as war, natural disasters or political tensions can affect the fluctuations of a corporation's stock.
An early career Investment Analyst with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of €42,245 based on 28 salaries. A mid-career Investment Analyst with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of €51,834.
Financial Traders: Salary Expectations and Career Overview
Working directly with Investment Advisers, a Financial Trader is responsible for buying and selling shares, bonds, and assets on behalf of investors. Responsibilities for such a position include executing trades according to a client's orders, informing your clients of market movements and possible investment opportunities, or gathering information about companies' valuations.
Most Traders work long hours to follow the market or their niche product, and this kind of work is usually demanding. Trading on the international market can be hectic, and managing large amounts of money can also be stressful. However, the strains of this career are compensated mainly by the salary a Financial Trader can expect to earn. Typical Salary:
CFO Salaries and Career Path in Ireland
This job is one of the highest-ranking positions in a business's hierarchy, and as a CFO, you will be the senior assistant to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Your job is to oversee all of the enterprise's finances and operations to ensure that the treasury, economic strategy and forecasting are all respected and that your firm is on track to meet its yearly money targets.
You will also need to report to key shareholders, typically represented on the corporation's board, regarding the overall financial position.
The average annual salary for a Chief Financial Officer in Ireland is €116,910. But let's break this down into experience.
Whatever the career path you choose to follow – auditor, accounting manager, public accountant, tax accountant or financial manager – a degree in accounting will open many doors. Recent surveys indicate that it is an excellent tool for entrepreneurs to ensure they succeed in their business endeavours, but it is also a highly valued profession in the banking industry and the consultancy sector. It is also the safest job in the world, both in terms of job security and physical safety.
If you are a CPA or chartered accountant, it may be worth exploring current vacant positions in major accounting firms, such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Robert Half International, or PwC.
These are great firms to learn the skills needed to take on more challenging positions in the world of money management.
The Role and Salary of Forensic Accountants in Ireland
Who could forget the WannaCry ransomware virus that struck Windows computer systems, locking entire civic structures, such as the NHS and government offices in the UK, out of their systems until a ransom was paid?
Fortunately – or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it – cybersecurity agencies the world over were already on high alert for such attacks; they had happened before, although admittedly not as dramatic, severe or impactful as this one.
Furthermore, and this is the fortunate part, this particular computer virus was quickly contained and ultimately defeated before much ransom had been paid.
Of course, full credit goes to those on the tech side who devised an ingenious trap into which those malicious worms fell. Other attacks have been more successful, resulting in millions of dollars being stolen or paid out.
A forensic accountant ‘follows the money’ of any shady transaction or dirty deed. Of course, not every case that forensic accountants solve involves international intrigue; a substantial portion of them involve embezzlement and fraud at the local level – such as in a company or bank.
A critical distinction of forensic accounting is that it provides financial details suitable for use in court testimony. Forensic accountants are often called on to give testimony in court of the cases they’ve investigated.
To do that, these accountants must be well-versed in business and criminal law. As they are called to give testimony, they must also be able to prepare materials, such as charts, graphs, and other documents relevant to the case.
A forensic accountant may work with insurance companies, branches of government, banks and the police. They have a keen eye for irregularity. They can spot when something is not quite right and trace that blip to find potentially criminal activity.
A person working as a Forensic Accountant in Ireland typically earns around €32,100 per year. Salaries range from €17,000 to €48,900.
Are Accountants in Ireland Well-Paid?
Admittedly, the starting salary for an entry-level accountant will not cover basic living expenses. By contrast, the experienced chartered accountant’s annual wage exceeds the average cost of living in Ireland by almost double, which could make for a pretty comfortable life, especially if you factor in possible bonuses.
As with every profession, experience and education matter. You can’t do much about your level of expertise except to get it, most likely in a lower-wage position, but you can certainly control how much education you take in.
It's essential to gain insights into how accountant salaries in Ireland compare to those in other countries. Generally, Ireland offers competitive wages for accountants in sectors such as finance and technology. However, it's crucial to take into account the cost of living and taxation when comparing salaries across nations.
For instance, although accountants in Ireland may earn salaries comparable to their counterparts in European countries, the cost of living can be relatively high, particularly in major cities.
Tax policies also vary significantly among nations, and this can have an impact on take-home pay. Therefore, it's vital to consider the picture by factoring in living expenses and taxes when evaluating accountant salaries, between Ireland and other countries.
Throughout this article, we’ve listed both entry-level and upper-level salaries for various types of accountants.
If you only consider the baseline salary, you would have to conclude that accountants are poorly compensated, especially because most starting positions don’t pay enough to live comfortably in our country.
Another factor to consider, which we touched on earlier, is job security. Accountants are not likely to be let go in a sudden economic downturn or when the business they’re working for faces challenging times. Indeed, your brand of expertise makes you invaluable to your company!
All of these factors and more contribute to your potential income as an accountant and add value to the wages you earn, making a career in accounting very tantalising indeed!
Learn About Accounting and Get Help from a Private Tutor
Accountants are well-paid because they've likely done challenging qualifications and have specific expertise in their field. If you need help with your accounting qualification, working with a private tutor can make a huge difference. A tutor can help you learn things more quickly by focusing solely on you and how you prefer to learn.
On the Superprof website, you can find qualified and experienced tutors across Ireland and around the world who are ready to help you with everything from AAT and ACCA preparation to financial software and the core principles of bookkeeping.
As you've seen, these qualifications can increase your earning potential, but they're not necessarily easy. Your tutor can break down complex accounting concepts, such as tax law, auditing practices, or management accounting. They can work with you on exam technique, help you put together effective study schedules, and provide support to ensure you do your best.
On Superprof, you can search for tutors by subject and location to find the right tutor near you. However, if you live rurally, you can also find online tutors willing to teach you from anywhere in the world. While online tutoring isn't ideal for more hands-on subjects, it can be just as effective for accounting topics, and is usually cheaper since the tutor doesn't have to travel to each student and can schedule more sessions throughout the week.
Whether you want to become a qualified Chartered Accountant or need some help upskilling, you just need to search for what you want to learn on the website today. The best thing is that most tutors offer their first session completely free, which means you can try a few potential tutors without any financial investment. Once you've found the tutor that works for you, you can start learning more quickly than you would in a class with several other students!
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