Top-paying finance jobs in the UK for 2026 according to recruiters

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Are you looking for a more lucrative finance role for 2026? Pushing for a promotion or sidestepping into a new role could mean a significant pay rise, providing you move with strategy.

Our finance recruitment experts share the top-paying finance jobs for the year ahead, the regions with the highest salaries in those roles, and the skills and experience you’ll need to command a figure at the top end of the pay scale.

Factors impacting finance salaries in the UK for 2026

Hiring in the accounting and finance sectors hasn’t escaped the impact of ongoing economic uncertainty — businesses are focusing on roles which support revenue growth and business resilience.

Candidates with a desirable mix of traditional finance and accounting skills, AI-driven capabilities, and digital skills are the most sought after, as businesses recognise the importance of futureproofing operations and transforming systems.

According to new data collected for the Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide, 45% of businesses plan to grow their finance teams in 2026 with a focus on this blended skill set.

A shortage of qualified accountants and skilled talent could make salary negotiations far more competitive this year — 67% of hiring managers are willing to pay more for skilled, qualified candidates in order to close critical skill gaps within their teams.

Flexible benefits, such as additional paid time off, annual performance bonuses, and flexible work arrangements, could be the key to rounding out remuneration packages.

Highest paying finance jobs in the UK for 2026

Head of Finance Transformation

The head of finance transformation role sits squarely between the worlds of tech and finance, signalling a distinct shift towards futureproofing financial systems as well as maintaining them. Working in this role, you could start on a salary of £88,250 and reach anything up to £132,500 according to our new UK salary benchmarks.

Professionals looking to increase their earning potential in an HoFT role should consider developing their skills and experience in generative AI solutions and agentic AI. Proven experience with project and change management is also incredibly beneficial. Earning potential can also be increased by relocating to a role based in Greater or Central London (£176,250 and £180,250 respectively) or working in a location like Reading (£173,500) or Guildford (£165,750).

Head of Tax

Global regulatory and digital reporting is evolving, making tax a critical strategic business stronghold for continuity and futureproofing against regulatory volatility. As a result, the head of tax salary has become one of the highest in the finance function, with an average starting salary of £88,750 for new professionals and £118,750 at the top end of the pay scale for experienced professionals.

The highest earners in a HoT role will have skills and experience with AI-driven tools and automation, data analytics, and financial reporting. Salaries for this role are considerably higher in London, with top-end offers averaging £161,500 in Central London for candidates with relevant skills and experience in the role. The South-East of the UK also offer competitive salaries for this role, alongside Cambridge, Bristol, and Birmingham.

Finance Director

Finance director duties revolve around ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and driving business success through solid insights and commercial acumen, which is reflected in the salary. A finance director career could help you lock down an average salary range between £89,750 – £138,000. Professionals will find they have a higher earning potential for this role in Central London, where the top-end salary is £187,750.

Finance directors can boost their earning potential by demonstrating current in-demand skills for the industry, such as a blend of traditional accounting and finance. This includes strategy, budget, forecasting, and planning.

Group Finance Director

The average group finance director salary for 2026 is predicted to sit within a range of £106,750– £162,500. The figure increases for London-based roles, which offer a maximum salary of £221,000 in Central London and £216,250 in Greater London, due to the area's status as a financial capital and the natural high demand for quality talent. A group finance director could also command a higher top-end salary in the South-East of the UK and the East.

Our recruitment experts have revealed that Group FDs with experience in multiple entity/country consolidations, international experience, and industry expertise have a higher earning potential. The Group FD is responsible for driving change, so skills or experience in business transformation, standardisation, and automation are highly desirable.

Chief Financial Officer

Unsurprisingly, as one of the top roles in corporate accounting, the chief financial officer (CFO) is currently the highest-earning position. According to our data, a CFO can start on a salary of £132,500 and could reach an average of £176,500 at a mid-weight level.

Experienced senior talent can command anything up to £220,500, reflecting the diverse skill set and role remit needed for success. Regionally, the highest CFO salaries are being awarded to professionals in Central and Greater London (top-end salaries of £300,000 and £293,250, respectively), and in areas like Reading (£288,750), Guildford (£275,750), and Cambridge (£264,500).

You can increase your CFO salary by demonstrating in-demand skills like private equity and venture capital experience. Employers are also looking for executives with experience in capital raising (IPO, sale, carve-out, debt restructuring, etc.). You could also increase your earning potential by side-stepping into financial services, FTSE100 and PEVC-backed companies. For example, a CFO in financial services could start at £133,250 and go up to £225,000 at the highest end of the pay scale.

FAQs: securing higher salaries and senior finance roles

What factors contribute to high salaries in finance jobs?

Several factors impact the salary you can command in a finance role. The first is industry experience, including time spent in the role and the number of projects or technical tasks achieved in that time. The second is skill set — do you have in-demand skills on your CV? The third factor is your ability to negotiate! If you can enter a meeting with proof that you have the skills and experience to excel in the role, you may be able to command a higher salary.

How can I transition into a higher-paying finance job?

Your first port of call is to isolate which position you'd like to aim for using a trusted industry report like the Salary Guide. You may need to sidestep into an adjacent but better-paid position, a new role created by the rise of AI, or the position above your own. Once you've identified your target role, we recommend researching the skills and experience required to secure it. After this, you'll have the information to begin upskilling and gaining experience in all the necessary areas to prepare for your pivot.

Read: ACCA vs CIMA – how to choose an accountancy qualification

What are the challenges and drawbacks of high-paying finance jobs?

The highest paying finance and accounting jobs come with challenges, the most obvious being a highly competitive and stressful environment, complete with ambitious targets in an ever-evolving financial landscape. Economic uncertainty, new regulations, and the rise of AI have added new challenges to many role remits, and those in the upper echelons of the industry are expected to stay on top of it all.

High earners in finance are also typically tasked with keeping on top of the evolving regulatory landscape and adapting to new corporate reporting reforms and UK SOX requirements while also mastering ESG reporting standards. Moreover, they are responsible for managing automation implementation and standardisation initiatives, even as new reporting tools and add-ons emerge. However, this does give quick learners and hungry professionals the perfect environment to rise to the challenge.

To learn more about salaries and high-paying finance roles, browse the 2026 Salary Guide or explore our salary calculator. If you’re ready to move into a higher-paying finance role, browse open roles now or if you need to hire a finance leader get in touch with our recruitment experts.

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