What Is the Salary Range of a Financial Manager in the UK? (2025 Update)
4 Aug 2025Whether you’re making your first strategic hire or expanding your finance team post-investment, having clear salary expectations is super-important for budgeting and keeping the best people at your firm.
If you’ve searched Google for:
- financial manager salary UK 2025
- how much does a finance manager earn in London
- average finance manager salary with CIMA or ACCA
….this guide will give you the answers you need.
UK Financial Manager Salary Ranges in 2025
Based on our advisory experience and current market data, here are typical salary ranges for finance managers at different levels in 2025:
| Experience Level | UK-wide Salary Range | London & South East Premium |
| Assistant / Entry-Level | £35,000 – £50,000 | +10 to 15% |
| Mid-Level (3 to 5 years) | £50,000 – £70,000 | +15 to 20% |
| Senior / Finance Manager | £70,000 – £95,000 | +20 to 25% |
| Head of Finance / Finance Director | £95,000 – £130,000 | +25% and above |
As expected, London generally commands a higher salary than other areas of the UK which is important for employers to be aware of. These ranges may also vary depending on qualifications, business complexity, and industry sector which we’ll dive into in more detail below.
Key Factors That Influence Financial Manager Salaries
So let’s get into it, what are the factors that affect Financial Manager Salaries?
Location
Location, location, location. Unsurprisingly, London and the South East remain the highest-paying regions. However, cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh continue to see upward salary trends for financial professionals. So it’s good news if you’re planning a career in the industry, not so good news if you’re an employer looking to hire someone!
Qualifications
As expected, candidates with professional qualifications such as ACCA, ACA, or CIMA tend to ask for salaries that sit at the top end of the market. Part-qualified or qualified-by-experience individuals typically earn 10 to 15 percent less, something to keep in mind.
Business Size and Sector
The bigger the business, the bigger the salary, generally speaking. Larger and more regulated businesses usually offer higher compensation due to greater reporting and compliance demands, it’s not for no good reason! However, fast-growth SMEs often offer more varied roles and bonus structures.
Working Flexibility
Remote and hybrid working arrangements remain highly valued by candidates. Many are willing to trade a higher salary for more flexibility.
Why Outsourcing Could Be a Better Option
While hiring a financial manager or team internally can be effective, outsourcing your finance function is often a more efficient and strategic choice.
Cost Savings
Outsourcing provides a fixed monthly cost and removes the burden of salaries, NI contributions, and hiring risk. It is typically between 23 and 41 percent cheaper than building an internal team.
Examples:
- A business currently paying £5,700 per month for a finance team could reduce costs to £3,600
- At higher revenue levels, monthly savings can exceed £2,700 compared to a full in-house team
Access to a Multi-skilled Team
You benefit from a complete finance department including:
- Finance Director or Controller
- Senior Accountant
- Bookkeeper
- Payroll Specialist
Each specialist covers a defined set of functions such as invoicing, VAT, cashflow, forecasting, and reporting.
Faster, More Flexible Support
With onboarding available within five working days and communication via phone, email, Teams or WhatsApp, outsourcing offers the responsiveness of an in-house team without delays caused by holidays, sickness, or turnover. Why wouldn’t give it a go?
Scalable as You Grow
Your outsourced team can grow with your business, avoiding the stop-start cycle of recruitment. Support levels can be flexed month by month based on your needs, and if it’s not working, you can also cancel whenever.
Full Visibility Without the Hassle
Outsourcing still gives you access to:
- Monthly management accounts
- Cashflow forecasting
- Budget vs actual analysis
- VAT, payroll, and supplier payments
Senior management is freed up to focus on strategy rather than managing day-to-day finance operations.
What to consider?
Whether you are recruiting a new finance manager or reviewing how you structure your finance function, understanding market rates and available options is key. Outsourcing gives you the skills, accuracy, and reporting quality of a full team while controlling costs and freeing up internal resources.
