Advice & Resources, Industry Insight
For many newly qualified ACA professionals, the move from practice into industry is one of the most pivotal decisions in their career. It is not just about salary, it is about trajectory, exposure, and long-term opportunity.
At the same time, for employers, attracting this talent has never been more competitive.
So what is really driving both sides of the market, particularly across Cambridge and Peterborough?
From a client perspective, hiring a first-time mover from practice is one of the most strategic hires a business can make.
These candidates typically bring:
• Strong technical grounding across audit, financial reporting, and controls
• Exposure to multiple industries and business models
• A best practice mindset developed in top and mid-tier firms
• The ability to add value quickly in reporting and commercial roles
With a well-documented shortage of qualified accountants in the UK, businesses are competing harder than ever for this talent pool.
The reality is simple, strong ACA candidates have options, and they are fully aware of it.
From a candidate perspective, this move is not just about leaving practice, it is about stepping into a more commercial and rewarding career.
In Cambridge especially, expectations are clear.
Candidates want visibility on:
• How quickly they can progress to Finance Manager or Business Partner level
• Whether the role offers genuine commercial exposure rather than purely reporting
ACA movers are actively looking for:
• Stakeholder engagement across the business
• Budgeting and forecasting exposure
• Opportunities in business partnering
Roles that are heavily weighted towards month-end or statutory reporting are far less attractive.
Expectations have shifted permanently:
• Hybrid working is now standard, not a benefit
• Culture, mentorship, and leadership visibility carry real weight in decision making
Candidates are well informed on market rates and will benchmark offers carefully. Lack of transparency can quickly lose interest.
One of the most common questions we get from clients is, what do we actually need to pay?
• Cambridge: around £60,000 on average
• Peterborough: around £49,000 on average
• Wider regional average: around £58,000
• Cambridge: £75,000+
• Peterborough: circa £50,000
Cambridge tends to overtake Peterborough quickly due to:
• A stronger presence of tech, biotech, and high-growth businesses
• More commercially focused roles with faster progression
Peterborough can offer:
• Competitive starting salaries in some cases
• More stable roles, but typically slower long-term progression
For additional context:
• Cambridge newly qualified ACA roles: £65,000 to £75,000
• Peterborough newly qualified ACA roles: £50,000 to £55,000
This gap often drives candidate decisions.
Some will prioritise work-life balance and stay local, while others move towards Cambridge for a stronger immediate uplift and faster progression.
If you are hiring in Cambridge, matching the market is no longer enough.
To stand out, you need to position the opportunity properly.
Top candidates are drawn to:
• High-growth or ambitious businesses
• Roles with clear impact on decision making
• Opportunities to move beyond reporting into commercial finance
ACA movers are often managing multiple processes. Delays in feedback or decision making will cost you strong candidates.
This is their first move into industry. They need:
• Structured support transitioning from practice
• Clear development plans and progression routes
A strong package typically includes:
• Base salary aligned to £65,000 to £75,000
• Bonus in the region of 5 to 10 percent or more
• Hybrid working
• Clear and communicated salary review timelines
If you are an ACA considering your first move in Cambridge, the market is in your favour, but expectations are high.
Typical benchmarks:
• Salary: £65,000 to £75,000
• Roles: Financial Accountant, Assistant Finance Manager, Analyst
• Market: Competitive, but full of opportunity
• Progression: Faster than most regional markets
You should also expect:
• A learning curve moving from practice into industry
• Broader exposure, but often less structured environments
• A move towards commercial finance within 12 to 24 months
The ACA first-time mover market remains one of the most active areas within UK finance recruitment.
Clients need to think beyond salary and focus on how they position the opportunity.
Candidates should focus on long-term progression rather than short-term gains.
In Cambridge, the balance is clear. You may not reach London salary levels immediately, but you gain access to high-quality roles, faster progression, and a better overall lifestyle.
Getting this first move right can shape the next decade of a finance career, on both sides of the hiring process.
