The earning potential for Chartered Accountants working in Leinster has increased significantly, according to the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society Salary Survey 2025. The survey results show the average salary package of Chartered Accountants in the region now stands at €131,654. This figure is a 6.6% increase on the 2024 average (€123,466) and marks a salary increase of 20% since 2020 (€109,989).   The annual survey of nearly 1,000 Chartered Accountants, launched today by Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society in partnership with Barden, Ireland’s leading accounting and tax talent advisory and recruitment firm, provides the most up-to-date guide to Chartered Accountant salaries and employment prospects in the Leinster region.    The research, conducted by Coyne, shows earning potential across the profession remains strong, with:   Average salary package of €131,654 for Chartered Accountants working across all sectors. This figure includes base salary, car or car allowance, and bonus.  Average salary package for a chartered accountant with 5 years post qualified experience now stands at €97,527, an increase of over 8% on 2024. Newly qualified respondents across all sectors saw their pay increase to €72,450 from €68,121 last year, an increase of 6%. The average salary package of newly qualified respondents working in industry now stands at €82,279 (up almost 16% on 2024 data).   Satisfaction with remuneration   Respondent satisfaction is high, with 65% satisfied or very satisfied with the salary they receive. The data highlights several positive trends, with 88% of respondents saying their total remuneration has increased in the past three years and 27% reporting more than a 25% increase. 77% expect their total remuneration to increase within the next 12 months.   Uptake of artificial intelligence (AI)  28% of Chartered Accountants use AI in some form to assist their day-to-day work, doubling from 14% in 2024. In this way, the potential of AI to streamline workflows and increase efficiency is already being felt across the profession.   Over half (57%) of respondents say AI represents a significant opportunity for the profession, and that it will allow the profession to move further up the value chain in terms of the work it does.  Two-thirds of respondents feel that artificial intelligence will impact positively on their career, with only 9% believing it will have a negative impact. Looking beyond AI to the wider impact of technological development, 69% feel that automation solutions will impact positively on their career, with 66% of respondents saying the same about online collaboration tools.   Sarah Murphy, Chairperson of Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society, said:   “Salary increases across the sector are evidence of the value that employers place on the work of chartered accountants in businesses, practices and more. Looking to the future, the potential for progression is also strong, with 44% of respondents having received a promotion in the last three years.    “As the role of accountants continues to evolve, to see a year-on-year doubling of the numbers using AI in their day-to-day work points to a profession that is highly adaptable and open to the opportunities that technology presents. Chartered Accountants hold positions of significant trust in organisations, and their ethical standards, critical thinking and analytical capabilities will be in even greater demand as business leaders as AI becomes more established. These results are a strong endorsement of Chartered Accountancy as a sustainable and fulfilling career, full of opportunity.”  Attractiveness of the profession  Becoming a Chartered Accountant remains attractive for those seeking career progression pathways while maintaining work-life balance. In the last three years, 44% of respondents received a promotion and almost 80% cited the ability to work remotely as a key way in which their employer provides flexibility.   Findings show that employers facilitate healthy work-life balance for members through a range of non-monetary rewards. As well as the option for hybrid working, parental and carers’ leave (available to 48% of respondents) and an employee assistance programme (available to 48% of respondents) were offered across sectors. 64% of respondents were satisfied with the non-monetary aspects of their job (63% in 2024); 72% were satisfied with their work environment (76% in 2024); and 67% were happy with work-life balance (66% in 2024).   Elaine Brady, Managing Partner, Barden, said:  “Despite the continued backdrop of macro-economic uncertainty over the past 12 months, the inauguration of Donald Trump and the subsequent US trade policy changes, the demand for accounting talent from 2024 continued. This has resulted in very competitive offerings from employers across the board. There has never been a better time to enter the profession, with a widespread focus from employers on work-life balance and non-monetary rewards for employees.   “The findings of this years’ survey can act as a reference point for employers focused on talent acquisition and retention. With high standards across the sector in terms of salary packages and pension contributions, employers continue to look for new ways to recognise the value of their employees. This includes hybrid working, which 80% of respondents cited as a highly valued attribute of their role.”    Common elements across salary packages   The majority (89%) of members have a pension, with 95% of these members receiving pension contributions from their employer. After basic salary, this pension contribution is the most valued aspect of the Chartered Accountant salary package for 54% of respondents. The other most common elements in respondents’ salary packages are payment of professional subscriptions (79%); Cycle to Work scheme (57%); health insurance (53%); and sponsored professional development (46%).    

Join us on Thursday 10 April for our Women in Business Event, sponsored by AIB and funded by Chartered Accountants Ireland Skillnet. Thursday 10 April | 4.30pm - 8.30pm | €50pp | 3 CPD hours We are delighted to be joined by three incredible women who have each founded successful organisations; Sinead Asple of SEA+SOLU, Mary McKenna of AwakenHub and Peigín Crowley of GROUND Wellbeing.  Join us, as our MC Belinda O'Neill sits down with each woman for an in depth chat on their journey so far. This event will be held in Chartered Accountants House and there will be drinks, nibbles and goodie bags for all attendees!  This event has limited seating so be sure to book your tickets today by emailing: LeinsterSociety@charteredaccountants.ie Speaker Profiles Belinda O'Neill, Event MC  Belinda left her career as a bank manager in December 2021, having worked in the same bank for almost 25 years, and took a leap of faith to leave voluntarily in pursuit of her own entrepreneurial ambitions. She is an award winning, best-selling Author, Speaker, Facilitator, Podcaster, Business Consultant, Executive Coach and the Founder of Be Inspired To Be®, recently trademarking her unique concept of Creatively Cleansing. Sinead Asple, Founder of SEA+SOLU Sinead is a qualified Chartered Accountant who trained at PwC Dublin and built a successful career in industry spanning over 15 years. Her entrepreneurial journey began with the creation and growth of two innovative childcare technology platforms, SureSitter and MindMe. These platforms have transformed into Ireland's largest online care marketplaces, redefining how families connect with trusted caregivers for family, elderly, and household care. In 2024, Sinead founded SEA+SOLU, Ireland’s first customizable haircare brand. SEA+SOLU offers carefully crafted formulas that cater to every hair type and texture, rooted in a clean ingredient methodology that prioritizes efficacy and sustainability. Proudly headquartered in Ireland, the brand is on a mission to redefine haircare globally. Mary McKenna, Co Founder of AwakenHub Mary McKenna is a Northern Irish serial tech entrepreneur and angel investor based in Donegal. She co-founded successful Derry-based online learning company Learning Pool and since selling Learning Pool has worked extensively with early-stage startups and scaleups across the entire European ecosystem. She has angel invested in 25 or so early-stage tech startups to date and in July 2020 she co-founded social enterprise AwakenHub, an all-Ireland female founder community. AwakenHub has 3,000 members and has just launched Ireland’s first and only women-led angel syndicate, AwakenAngels. Mary was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen in the 2014 New Year’s Honours for services to digital technology, innovation, and learning.   Peigín Crowley, Founder of GROUND Wellbeing Peigín has over 28 years of experience in the spa industry, a true wellness curator at heart, Peigín designs award-winning spa experiences and products with a strong focus on wellbeing for the most luxurious resort destinations in the world from The Rosewood, Six Senses, Four Seasons, Kempinski & Bulgari Hotels. GROUND was born at the kitchen table in 2020, deep in lockdown. Peigín was unafraid to depart from traditional spa menus focused on beauty, pampering, and anti-aging, instead developing treatments and products that address anxiety, insomnia, hormone fluctuations, burnout, gut health & cancer care. Her mission is to encourage us all to slow down and connect inwards in order to achieve longevity through purposeful self-care and education.  Due to limited seating at this event, please note our Cancellation Policy:  Cancellations may be made up to 2 weeks in advance and will not incur any fee. No shows, or those cancelling within this 2 week period of the event, will be charged in full.

Calendar of events 2025*  *Events subject to change Date  Event  Location  February 8 Park Run with President Barry Doyle Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, D16   February 12 Expert Series; Perspectives on CSRD Implementation  Zoom  March 6 Leinster Society Rugby Lunch Aviva Stadium, D4  April 10 Women in Business event Chartered Accountants House  April 16  Expert Series; Networking in the Digital Age Zoom  June 13  Annual AGM  Chartered Accountants House   August 8  Leinster Society Dublin Horse Show event  Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, & RDS  August 21  Annual Golf Outing  Castle Golf Club, Rathfarnham, D16  November 6  Published Accounts Awards  The Shelbourne Hotel, D2  December 5  Leinster Society Christmas Lunch  Dublin Royal Convention Centre, D8    Email leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie for more information, or to book any of the in-person events. The Expert Series webinars can be booked by clicking on 'Zoom' above.