There has been a significant increase in the earnings potential for Leinster-based Chartered Accountants, according to new research.
The data shows that the average salary this year for the profession in the region stood at €131,654.
The figure represents a 6.6% rise on 2024 and it marks a salary increase of 20% since 2020, when the average was €109,989.
It includes base salary, car or car allowance and bonus.
Almost 1,000 Chartered Accountants were surveyed as part of the study between June and July for Chartered Accountants Ireland, which was carried out by Coyne Research in partnership with recruitment firm Barden.
It found that the salary package of newly qualified respondents increased from €68,121 last year to €72,450 this year.
According to the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society Salary Survey 2025, 88% of those surveyed said their total remuneration has increased in the past three years.
Over a quarter reported more than a 25% increase, while more than three quarters of the respondents expect their total remuneration to increase within the next 12 months.
The research also found that 28% of Chartered Accountants reported using artificial intelligence (AI) in some form to assist their day-to-day work, doubling from 14% in 2024.
57% of respondents said AI represents a significant opportunity for the profession.
Two-thirds of the Chartered Accountants believe that the technoloy will impact positively on their career, with 9% believing it will have a negative impact.
The Chairperson of Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society said the salary increases across the sector are "evidence of the value that employers place on the work of chartered accountants in businesses, practices and more."
Sarah Murphy said as the role of accountants continues to evolve "to see a year-on-year doubling of the numbers using AI in their day-to-day work points to a profession that is highly adaptable and open to the opportunities that technology presents."
"Chartered Accountants hold positions of significant trust in organisations, and their ethical standards, critical thinking and analytical capabilities will be in even greater demand as business leaders as AI becomes more established. These results are a strong endorsement of Chartered Accountancy as a sustainable and fulfilling career, full of opportunity," she said.
Managing Partner of Barden, Elaine Brady, said: "Despite the continued backdrop of macro-economic uncertainty over the past 12 months, the inauguration of Donald Trump and the subsequent US trade policy changes, the demand for accounting talent from 2024 continued."
"This has resulted in very competitive offerings from employers across the board. There has never been a better time to enter the profession, with a widespread focus from employers on work-life balance and non-monetary rewards for employees," she added.
