ACCA is the most widely held professional accounting qualification in Ireland. This guide covers ACCA salaries at every career stage — from newly qualified to Financial Controller — using 2026 data from Morgan McKinley Ireland, Robert Walters Ireland and Robert Half Ireland.
ACCA Salary Ireland — Newly Qualified 2026
| Location | NQ Salary Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | €48,000–€60,000 | Morgan McKinley Ireland 2026 |
| Cork | €42,000–€52,000 | Morgan McKinley Ireland 2026 |
| Galway / Limerick | €40,000–€50,000 | Robert Walters Ireland 2026 |
ACCA Salary by Career Stage — Dublin 2026
| Role / Stage | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Newly Qualified ACCA | €48,000–€60,000 |
| Management Accountant (2–4 yrs PQE) | €55,000–€75,000 |
| Financial Accountant (2–4 yrs PQE) | €52,000–€70,000 |
| Finance Manager (4–7 yrs PQE) | €65,000–€90,000 |
| Financial Controller | €80,000–€120,000 |
| Head of Finance | €95,000–€140,000 |
ACCA vs ACA in Ireland — Salary Difference
At newly qualified level, ACA (ICAEW or CAI) typically commands a 10–15% premium over ACCA in Dublin — particularly in financial services and Big 4-adjacent roles. This premium narrows significantly at 4+ years PQE and is largely irrelevant at Financial Controller level and above, where experience, sector and scope matter more than letters after your name.
ACCA performs particularly well in commerce and industry, FMCG, retail and public sector roles — where the qualification is widely valued and the ACA premium does not apply.
ACCA Salary in Financial Services — Ireland 2026
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Fund Accountant (2–4 yrs) | €55,000–€75,000 |
| Financial Reporting Accountant | €60,000–€80,000 |
| Finance Manager (FS) | €75,000–€100,000 |
| Financial Controller (FS) | €95,000–€140,000 |
Salary data sourced from the 2026 Morgan McKinley Ireland Salary Guide, 2026 Robert Walters Ireland Market Insights, and Robert Half Ireland 2026 Salary Guide. Figures are estimated market ranges for guidance only.