How to Find Visa-Sponsored Accounting-Related Jobs in the UK in 2025

Accounting is one of the most in-demand career paths in the UK, supporting businesses, governments, and organisations in financial reporting, compliance, strategy, and risk management. For international professionals, the UK presents excellent opportunities in 2025 — especially in audit, financial accounting, tax, and management accounting, where employers continue to sponsor skilled talent.

With the right strategy, qualifications, and visa understanding, securing a visa-sponsored accounting job in the UK is absolutely achievable.

Whether you are a student, recent graduate, or experienced accountant abroad, this guide will explain the UK accounting job market, key specialisations, visa options, and proven strategies to secure a visa-sponsored accounting role.

The UK Accounting Job Market in 2025

The UK remains one of the most established and rewarding destinations for accounting professionals. In 2025, organisations across sectors — including professional services, technology, energy, manufacturing, and public sector bodies — are seeking skilled accountants to support financial reporting, regulatory compliance, cost management, and strategic planning.

London continues to be the UK’s accounting powerhouse, followed by strong regional hubs such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Edinburgh. Opportunities for international candidates remain strong, particularly in audit, tax, financial accounting, advisory, and management accounting roles where employers actively sponsor visas.

Key Market Trends:

• Audit & Assurance Expansion: Rising demand driven by enhanced audit reform, transparency requirements, and corporate governance expectations.
• Digital & Technology Adoption: Increasing use of automation, cloud accounting tools, AI and data analytics platforms (e.g. Xero, Sage, Power BI, SAP).
• Regulatory & IFRS Expertise: Continued focus on IFRS, UK GAAP, ESG reporting and internal financial controls.
• Growth in Advisory Specialisms: Increased demand for advisory, restructuring, M&A and transaction support roles.
• Upskilling & Professional Certification: Employers prioritise candidates pursuing or holding ACCA, ACA, or CIMA qualifications.

Salary Range:

• Entry-level / Trainee Accountant: £26,000–£34,000
• Part-qualified / Assistant Accountant: £32,000–£45,000
• Newly qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA): £45,000–£60,000
• Senior / Manager roles: £60,000–£85,000+

For visa sponsorship, the salary must typically meet the Skilled Worker Visa threshold, currently £41,700, unless the candidate qualifies for the discounted “new entrant” rate. However, the minimum salary threshold for most of the accounting professions is around £49,200. You will benefit from a salary discount if you meet the requirements outlined here.

Key Accounting Career Paths in the UK

Accounting in the UK spans several specialisations. Common career paths include:

Financial Accounting

Involves preparing financial statements, managing statutory reporting, and ensuring compliance with UK accounting standards such as UK GAAP and IFRS. This is one of the most common paths for accounting professionals.

Management Accounting

Focuses on internal reporting, cost analysis, decision-making support, budgeting, and forecasting to guide business strategy and resource allocation.

Audit and Assurance

Ensures accuracy of financial records and compliance with regulations. External auditors work in accounting firms, while internal auditors work within organisations.

Audit is one of the strongest areas for visa sponsorship in 2025.

Tax Accounting

Involves corporate and personal tax compliance, planning, advisory, and helping businesses optimise tax efficiency.

Forensic Accounting

Investigates fraud, financial irregularities, and misconduct. Often involves collaborations with legal teams and regulators.

Public Sector Accounting

Manages finances and reporting for government departments, NHS organisations, councils and public agencies.

Consulting & Advisory

Includes financial advisory, restructuring, M&A, performance improvement, and risk management projects for businesses.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Depending on your role, daily duties may include:

• Preparing financial statements and reports
• Performing audit testing and verifying records
• Budgeting, forecasting and cost analysis
• Tax calculations, filings, and advisory work
• Analysing financial performance and KPI reporting
• Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards
• Using accounting software (Sage, Xero, SAP, Oracle)
• Working with auditors, business leaders, and finance teams

Skills & Qualifications Needed

Technical Skills

• Financial reporting (IFRS / UK GAAP)
• Audit controls and testing
• Tax compliance & advisory
• Budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling
• Proficiency in Excel, Power BI, Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, SAP or Oracle

Key Professional Qualifications

• ACCA
• ACA (ICAEW)
• CIMA
• AAT (entry-level)
• ATT / CTA for tax roles

Soft Skills

• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Communication & stakeholder management
• Time management and deadline capability

Top UK Companies Hiring Accountants With Visa Sponsorship

1. Deloitte UK

Deloitte is one of the world’s largest professional services firms, offering audit, tax, consulting, and advisory services. Deloitte UK sponsors international candidates across audit, assurance, corporate tax, and advisory functions and offers full training support for ACA and ACCA qualifications.

Apply for visa-sponsored roles at Deloitte here.

2. PwC UK

PwC is a Big Four firm with extensive operations in audit, tax, deals, and consulting. It recruits globally for graduate, experienced, and trainee roles, particularly in assurance, advisory, and financial reporting. PwC is known for long-term sponsorship pathways and structured training programmes.

Apply for visa-sponsored roles at PwC here.

3. EY UK

EY offers roles in external audit, internal audit, tax, technology consulting, and financial advisory. EY UK frequently sponsors skilled international accountants, especially for audit and assurance programmes, including graduates and experienced hires.

Apply for visa-sponsored roles at EY here.

4. KPMG UK

KPMG recruits accountants for audit, tax, advisory, and risk consulting positions. The firm has a strong track record of sponsoring skilled worker visas, providing structured development across ACA, ACCA, and other qualifications.

Apply for visa-sponsored roles at KPMG here.

You can also find more roles and companies directly through UK Visa Jobs and similar sponsorship-focused platforms, like workbeyond.com.

Visa Routes for Accountants in 2025

Skilled Worker Visa

• Main pathway for accounting jobs
• Requires sponsorship from a UK-licensed employer
• Typical minimum salary for accountants: £49,200 (new entrant and graduate options may be lower)
• Leads to permanent residency after 5 years

You can learn more about the Skilled Worker Visa here.

Graduate Visa

• For UK university graduates
• Allows 2 years of work (3 for PhDs) with no sponsorship required
• Ideal first step before Skilled Worker sponsorship

You can learn more about the Graduate Visa here.

Scale-Up Visa

• For high-growth firms, recruiting skilled accountants
• Requires a qualifying employer

You can learn more about the Scale-Up Visa here.

Global Talent Visa

• For highly experienced finance and accounting specialists recognised in the sector

You can learn more about the Global Talent Visa here.

Job Search Strategy for 2025

If You’re a Student

• Target internships and industrial placements in audit or finance
• Join university accounting societies and attend Big Four events
• Join university ACCA/CIMA/ICAEW societies

The approach can vary if you are based outside the UK. You can learn more about how to approach a job search depending on your location in our learning hub.

If You’re a Graduate

• Use a Graduate Visa if eligible
• Apply to graduate training schemes in audit and advisory
• Build relevant UK experience wherever possible

The approach can vary if you are based outside the UK. You can learn more about how to approach a job search depending on your location in our learning hub.

If You Have Experience

• Target mid-level roles in audit, tax, advisory, and financial reporting
• Highlight professional qualifications and tangible achievements

How to Increase Your Chances

• Tailor your CV to the UK format
• Highlight certifications and exam progress (e.g., “ACCA – 9 papers completed”)
• Build LinkedIn visibility and interact with UK firms
• Attend ICAEW, ACCA and CIMA networking events
• Gain experience with UK accounting tools and standards

If you do not know where to start, you can also join our live webinars on CV writing and interviews or explore the learning hub.

Interview Tips

• Brush up on audit cycles, controls, IFRS vs UK GAAP
• Expect competency questions using the STAR method
• Prepare for case studies (financial reporting, cost analysis or tax scenarios)
• Emphasise stakeholder communication and deadline discipline

Join our live webinars on interviewing in the UK to improve your skills.

Resources at UK Visa Jobs

At UK Visa Jobs, we help international finance professionals by offering:

• Curated Job Listings: Visa-sponsored roles in finance and business management.
• Webinars: How to write a UK-standard CV and prepare for finance interviews.
• Career Support: Guidance on applying for corporate finance and treasury roles in the UK.

Explore the UK Visa Jobs resources page for more articles and advice. If you would like more curated and tailored support, explore the UK Visa Jobs learning hub.

Summary

Securing a visa-sponsored accounting job in the UK in 2025 is absolutely possible with the right preparation and strategy. Focus on high-sponsorship areas like audit, assurance, tax, and financial reporting, build strong technical and professional qualifications, and target employers known for supporting international talent.

Start exploring accounting roles on UK Visa Jobs and begin your UK career journey today.