Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
AIA

Welsh accountants have best quality of life

by
11th Oct 2012
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

Are you an accountant in Wales? If so, lucky you. According to research, you have the best quality of life in the UK.

Research by recruitment company Marks Sattin found that accountants in Wales have the best balance between average pay, hours, commuting time and housing affordability. Accountants in the South East and North East came second and third in the good-life league table.

Accountants in Wales work the third fewest hours a week in the UK and have the shortest average commuting time, according to research based on data from the Office for National Statistics and Marks Sattin.

Although the annual earnings of accountants in Wales are just seventh highest (£33,128) in the UK, the average house is only five times the average accountant’s salary. Two-thirds of accountants in Wales say they are “very satisfied” with their current position.

Work-life balance

The research found that accountants in the South East, excluding London, work the fewest hours per week, in the UK (average of 33.5).

Accountants in the South West work the longest (36 hours) – almost five hours longer per week compared with the UK average.

Property cost           

Any salary premium for working in London is outweighed by the property premium. The average price of property in the capital is nine times the average accountant salary, making it the least affordable region in the country, the research found.

In contrast, the average property in the North East is just four times accountants’ income. The North East also boasts an average accountancy salary a third higher than the overall regional average, the highest difference compared with local income.

Long hours for Irish accountants

The research also found accountants in Ireland work an average 42 hours a week compared to an average among British accountants of 35. This equates to an extra 39 days or almost eight weeks of work per year. However, Irish accountants are well paid, with an average salary of €54,695 (£43,403), higher than the UK average and second only to London of the UK regions.

Survey snapshot

  • Accountants in Wales have the best balance of salary, work hours, commuting times and property prices
  • Accountants in the South East work the fewest hours
  • The North East provides the most affordable housing for accountants
  • London accountants earn 20% more than the national average but have the longest average commute in the country
Tags:

Replies (5)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By pembo
12th Oct 2012 11:54

totally agree

Having worked in the city for 5 years and the last 30 in Cardiff an absolute no brainer unless your motivated by money and stress. Also we happen to live in one of the most beautiful countries on earth with glorious countryside and the (official) most beautiful coastal path in the world on the doorstep. Oh and the coal mines are gone and the sheep are very friendly too.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By KH
12th Oct 2012 11:58

Sheep are very friendly, and...

Not only are the sheep in Wales very friendly, I have heard they are the prettiest in the world, too.... ..........!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By pembo
12th Oct 2012 12:32

agree again

but then after 5 or 6 pints of the wonderful world famous Brains SA most things look pretty...another reason for coming !

Thanks (0)
7om
By Tom 7000
12th Oct 2012 14:08

Wales

I just spent 2 days playing golf at the Royal Porthcawl golf club. it rained incessantly the wind blew hard  and there wasn't a pub to be found on the coast road....

 

I expect its still raining there today and I am sitting in the sunshine outside having a coffee.

 

Best thing to come out of Wales is the M4

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Shirley Martin
13th Oct 2012 09:55

Sunny Porthcawl

@ Tom 7000

You were very unlucky.  I lived in "Sunny Porthcawl" for 5 years and it lived up to its name.

Kind regards

Shirley

Thanks (0)