What do public sector finance jobs pay? Here are typical base salaries for finance roles in the UK public sector, by level and by type of employer. We use the same figures everywhere on PUBLICSECTORFINANCEJOBS.COM.
| Level | CouncilsCouncil £k | NHS, housing, universities and other public bodiesOther public £k |
|---|---|---|
| Trainee / Apprentice | £24k–£30k24–30£27k–£34k27–34 | £24k–£30k24–30£27k–£34k27–34 |
| Finance Officer / Assistant Accountant | £29k–£36k29–36£32k–£40k32–40 | £29k–£36k29–36£32k–£40k32–40 |
| Accountant | £36k–£44k36–44£40k–£49k40–49 | £36k–£45k36–45£40k–£50k40–50 |
| Senior / Principal Accountant | £43k–£54k43–54£48k–£60k48–60 | £44k–£56k44–56£49k–£63k49–63 |
| Business Partner / Team Leader | £50k–£62k50–62£56k–£69k56–69 | £52k–£66k52–66£58k–£74k58–74 |
| Finance Manager / Head of Finance | £58k–£82k58–82£65k–£92k65–92 | £60k–£85k60–85£67k–£95k67–95 |
| Director of Finance / S151 Officer | £95k–£160k95–160£106k–£179k106–179 | £95k–£150k95–150£106k–£168k106–168 |
A guide only: actual pay depends on the employer, the role, where it is and the person. Council posts are graded on the national pay spine (or the Scottish and Northern Ireland equivalents), NHS finance posts are on Agenda for Change bands, and most grades cover several pay points that people move up each year. Director and section 151 pay is set by each employer. Reviewed as public sector finance jobs are advertised on PUBLICSECTORFINANCEJOBS.COM. London roles typically pay around 12% more.
How to read the guide
Each band is the range most roles at that level fall into, for base salary outside London. Some roles pay above or below it. The figures cover finance work as a whole: financial and management accountants, business partners, budget and planning teams, treasury and capital, internal audit and counter fraud, revenues and benefits, exchequer, payroll and pensions.
Councils
Most council finance posts are paid on council grades. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland most councils use the national pay spine agreed by the National Joint Council (NJC), with each council setting its own grades on it; Scottish councils have their own arrangements. Chief officer posts, including Directors of Finance and Section 151 Officers, are usually on separate chief officer pay. Council posts come with the Local Government Pension Scheme, a defined benefit pension, which is worth counting when you compare offers.
NHS, housing, universities and other public bodies
NHS finance posts in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are mostly paid on Agenda for Change bands, with very senior roles on separate pay. Housing associations, universities, police and fire services, and central government bodies each set their own pay, which is usually published in the advert. Many of these employers also offer a defined benefit pension.
Pay by level
Trainees and apprentices
Typically £24,000 to £30,000. Finance apprentices, graduate trainees and trainee accountants, often studying for AAT or a professional qualification with study support.
Finance officers and assistant accountants
Typically £29,000 to £36,000. Finance officers, assistant accountants, audit assistants and revenues and benefits officers, part qualified or AAT qualified.
Accountants
Typically £36,000 to £45,000. Qualified or nearly qualified accountants preparing accounts, budgets and forecasts, and supporting budget holders.
Senior and principal accountants
Typically £43,000 to £56,000. Experienced accountants leading the closedown of the accounts, a budget area or an audit plan, and checking others' work.
Business partners and team leaders
Typically £50,000 to £66,000. Finance business partners working with directors and service heads, and team leaders running a finance, audit or revenues team.
Finance managers and heads of finance
Typically £58,000 to £85,000. Finance managers, heads of finance, heads of audit and heads of revenues running a service.
Directors of Finance and S151 Officers
Typically £95,000 to £160,000. Directors of Finance, Chief Finance Officers and Section 151 (or Section 95) Officers, responsible for an organisation's finances as a whole.
Frequently asked questions
Do public sector finance jobs pay more in London?
Yes. London roles typically pay around 12% more, and London councils and NHS trusts add London weighting.
Does a professional qualification increase pay?
Usually, yes. Most accountant and senior roles ask for a CCAB qualification such as CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW, or for someone close to finishing one. See the CIPFA qualification explained.
Why do the salaries in adverts look different from this guide?
An advert shows one employer's offer for one post. This guide sets out the range most posts at each level fall into, across many employers.
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