A massive 94% of accountants are against recruiting from abroad to fill the skills gap, this week’s Accountancy Age/Robert Half Finance & Accounting salary survey reveals.

Other key findings of the survey are that the pay gap between finance directors and accountants appears to be widening despite rising salaries and demand for accountants outstripping supply.

The survey attracted 3,000 respondents, an all-time record.

An average salary for a British finance director this autumn is £76,990, a rise of more than £5,000 since our last survey six months ago. In contrast, an average accountant’s salary has dropped by £2,761, from £38,861 in the spring to £36,100 this month.

Salaries for partners and financial controllers also rose, but less quickly than that of finance directors.

‘This increase in FDs’ salaries is indicative of their evolving role as guardians of corporate governance and the move from the backroom to the boardroom,’ said Dave Jones, UK MD of Robert Half.

‘Integrity and ethics in accounting have come under increased scrutiny and has meant today’s FD is no longer a passive attendee in board meetings, but is a critical member of the chairman’s advisory team.’

The results also reveal that there are more women FDs now than ever before, showing an 8% rise from 13% in the spring to 21% now.

Tax experts saw their average pay packets surge in the past six months with a rise of £6,834. Average tax salaries rose from £48,103 to £54,937 this autumn.

Separately, Accountancy Age’s sister magazine, Financial Director, reveals this month that more FTSE 350 FDs than ever before are earning £1m a year. Research conducted with BoardEx revealed that 29 FDs (23 FTSE 100 and six FTSE 250) have broken the seven-figure barrier.

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