AAT Licensed Accountants
In this year’s salary survey, we see a higher number of AAT Licensed Accountants reporting an increase in fee income. However, the median income for AAT Licensed Accountants in 2025 - £72,000 – is slightly down on the 2023 median of £74,500, suggesting that there has been an uneven experience across licensed members in fee generation.
We see continued high levels of job satisfaction in respect of self-employment. However, we see a decrease in the number of AAT Licensed Accountants feeling secure in their employed work, with 83% expressing this in 2025 compared to 95% in 2023; potentially reflecting wider uncertainty in the employment market overall.
In this context we see 78% of AAT Licensed Accountants stating that they believe that being a licensed member has increased their potential.
Salaries
AAT Licensed Accountants report a median income fee of £72,000 in 2025, compared with £74,500 in 2023.
2025
2023
Over half (58%) of AAT Licensed Accountants reported an increase in fee income over the last year with this rising to 63% for purely self-employed AAT Licensed Accountants. This compares with 54% of AAT Licensed Accountants reporting an increase in fee income in 2023, rising to 59% for purely self-employed AAT Licensed Accountants in 2023.
2025 fee income
2023 fee income
Job satisfaction and stability
AAT Licensed Accountants continue to show high levels of job satisfaction. 87% of AAT Licensed Accountants agree that running their own business gives them more satisfaction than being in an employed role. Purely self-employed AAT Licensed Accountants are the most satisfied at 92%.
This compares to 88% of AAT Licensed Accountants agreeing that running their own business gives them more satisfaction than being in an employed role and purely self-employed AAT Licensed Accountants being the most satisfied at 90% in 2023.
However, 83% of AAT Licensed Accountants feel secure in their employed work, compared with 95% in 2023.
Gender gaps
A significant pay gap persists with male AAT Licensed Accountants working full time earning 32% more than full time female AAT Licensed Accountants in 2025. This compares to male AAT Licensed Accountants earning 33% more than female AAT Licensed Accountants in 2023.
Female fee income increased slightly faster compared to male fee income since 2023, 7% vs 5%. However overall while the gap has narrowed slightly, it is still significant.
Role of AAT
of AAT Licensed Accountants believe that being a licensed member has increased their earning potential.
“The beauty of accountancy is there’s no ceiling. You can take it into most sectors, most sizes of business, or go and build something yourself. That freedom is massive.
Whichever route you pick (and I’ve enjoyed a few), AAT helps. It did for me. It got me recognised and trusted, and it gave me the proper training and a valuable support network that helped me push on.
Naturally my salary moved up as the roles and responsibility grew.
Now I run a practice supporting people on that same journey (two original apprentices are now Finance Directors of local businesses), and I’m sat as the advisor to some very large corporate businesses. Still a bit crazy, when I say it out loud!!”
Andy Smith FMAAT, Director, Abbeygate Accountancy
Find out more about starting your own firm
Ever dreamt of starting your own accounting firm? As an AAT Licensed Member, you can - and get support, training and guidance every step of the way. 👉 Learn more about licensed membership
AAT Salary Survey 2025
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