Salary in Accounting: What an Accountant Can Earn in 2025

Published date: 26 March 2025

Whether you are an experienced professional or an aspiring leader, those working in accounting often ask themselves whether their salary is competitive in the market. For those looking to take the next career step, it is essential to be aware of current salary ranges and market trends.

Hannah Hermann, Manager at Robert Walters in Hamburg, provides an overview of common remuneration levels for various positions in the accounting sector, based on the Robert Walters Salary Survey 2025.

Senior Accountant – Experienced Experts in Accounting and Financial Reporting

The responsibilities of a Senior Accountant vary depending on the company structure and industry. This role often focuses on managing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with HGB or IFRS, as well as close collaboration with controlling and senior management.

"Depending on company size and experience, experienced financial or general ledger accountants with three to seven years of professional experience earn between €70,000 and €85,000 gross per year. With more than eight years of experience, the salary increases to €75,000 to €95,000 gross annually. For interim roles, the remuneration ranges between €900 and €1,300 per day," explains Hannah Hermann.

Group Accountant / Senior Group Accountant – Specialist in Group Accounting

Group Accountants – also known as Consolidation Accountants – play a crucial role in preparing consolidated financial statements in accordance with HGB or IFRS. They analyse and consolidate financial data from various subsidiaries and work closely with audit firms and internal stakeholders.

"The salary range for a Senior Group Accountant with three to seven years of experience is between €80,000 and €100,000 gross per year. Those with more than eight years of experience can expect salaries between €90,000 and €120,000 annually. In the interim sector, daily rates typically range from €1,050 to €1,500," says Hannah Hermann.

Head of Accounting – Strategic Leadership of Financial Accounting

As Head of Accounting – also known as Head of Finance – professionals bear overall responsibility for all accounting processes within a company. In addition to operational management, strategic responsibilities include optimising accounting processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and working closely with auditors and tax consultants.

"Professionals with three to seven years of experience earn between €85,000 and €130,000 gross per year in this role. With eight to 15 years of experience, salaries can rise to between €100,000 and €160,000. For interim Head of Accounting roles, daily rates between €1,100 and €1,500 are realistic," says Hannah Hermann.