Understanding the Accounts Assistant Salary in the UK

If you're looking at a role in finance administration, knowing the typical accounts assistant salary helps you negotiate and plan your finances. This guide uses the latest official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) and GOV.UK National Living Wage rates to give you a clear picture of hourly and annual pay, whether you work full-time or part-time.

What the ONS Data Says

The ONS classifies accounts assistants under SOC code 4129 – Financial administrative occupations n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified). The provisional 2025 ASHE data shows a median full-time annual salary of £28,996. This figure is based on a 1% sample of employee jobs and is considered reliable (coefficient of variation 2.5%).

To put that into an hourly rate, we use the standard conversion: annual salary ÷ (hours per week × 52). Assuming a typical 37.5-hour week, the median hourly rate works out at roughly £19 per hour. However, the ONS also reports median hourly earnings (excluding overtime) for all full-time employees at £19.67, so accounts assistants are slightly below the national average.

Hourly to Annual Conversion: The Formula

Use this simple rule of thumb: annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For example:

• £19/hr × 37.5 hrs × 52 weeks = £37,050

But the ONS median of £28,996 suggests that many accounts assistants work fewer than 37.5 hours, or that the median hourly rate is lower when including all jobs. Always check your contract for exact weekly hours. Our Hourly to Salary calculator lets you plug in your own numbers.

Part-Time vs Full-Time

Part-time accounts assistants (working 30 hours or fewer per week) earn a pro-rata portion of the full-time salary. The hourly rate is often similar, but the annual total is lower. ONS does not publish a separate median for part-time SOC 4129, but across all occupations part-time employees earned a median weekly £280 in April 2025. If you work 20 hours per week at £19/hr, your annual pay would be around £19,760 before tax.

London Weighting and Regional Variations

Salaries in London and the South East tend to be higher. While ONS doesn't give a specific London figure for accounts assistants, regional ASHE tables show that median earnings in London are typically 15–20% above the national median. That could mean an annual salary of £33,000–£35,000 for a full-time accounts assistant in London. Some employers also offer a separate London weighting allowance. Check job adverts for details.

National Living Wage Comparison

The National Living Wage (NLW) for employees aged 21 and over was £12.21 per hour in April 2025, rising to £12.71 in 2026/27. The median accounts assistant hourly rate of ~£19 is well above the NLW, reflecting the skilled nature of the role. However, entry-level or trainee positions may start closer to the NLW. For more context, see our salary data page.

Employer Costs and Take-Home Pay

Employers pay more than just the salary. At the median £28,996, employer National Insurance (15% above £5,000) adds about £3,599, and the minimum workplace pension (3% of qualifying earnings) adds roughly £683. That brings the total employment cost to £33,278 per year. Your take-home pay depends on tax and National Insurance deductions. Use our salary articles to understand tax bands.

Overtime and Additional Pay

ASHE annual figures include pay affected by absence but not necessarily overtime. If you regularly work overtime, your actual earnings could be higher. Some accounts assistant roles offer overtime at time-and-a-half or double time. Always check your contract.

How to Use This Information

• Job seekers: Compare offered salaries to the median £28,996. If the role is in London, expect a premium.
• Employers: Budget for total employment cost of around £33,278 at the median.
• Part-time workers: Calculate your pro-rata salary using the hourly rate.

For more detailed breakdowns by region and industry, visit our topics page. And if you need to convert your own hourly rate to annual, try our hourly calculator.

Summary

The accounts assistant salary in the UK sits at a median of £28,996 per year for full-time employees, equivalent to roughly £19 per hour on a 37.5-hour week. Part-time roles pay pro-rata, and London weighting can add 15–20%. Always use official ONS data and your own contract terms when planning your finances.

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Disclaimer: Hourly-to-salary figures assume a steady contracted week with no unpaid overtime, bonus, tips or salary sacrifice. Annual ≈ hourly × hours/week × 52. Actual pay depends on rota, holiday pay method, London weighting and overtime rules. Always check your contract and official GOV.UK guidance.