Part-qualified graduate accountants are commanding much higher salaries than they expect, with nearly a third earning £22,000 to £24,000 in their first job. This compares with almost nine in 10 who said they expected to be offered less than £22,000, according to a survey by justaccountancyjobs.com.

The research found that many accountants are being paid more even than they think they’re worth, with 60% receiving offers of at least £20,000, the average figure cited as a fair entry-level salary. Starting salaries for part-qualified graduates typically range £15,000-£20,000 for candidates in the North, and £18,000-£23,000 in the South, the survey showed.

It found part-qualified accountants also have a strong hand on the negotiating table, with 61% of respondents able to raise their original offer, compared with 35% who were not.

Newly qualified accountants proved even better negotiators, with 67% able to hammer out a more lucrative deal, compared with 29% who were not.

More newly qualified candidates – 7% and 4% – were able to achieve offers of £45,000-£50,000 and over £50,000 respectively than the 5% and 2% who were expecting these salary bands.

The trend was similar with part-qualified candidates, with 32% able to command salaries of £22,000-£24,000, compared with just 13% who expected this range. Richard Perrott, chief consultant for justaccountancyjobs.com, says: “The best accountancy candidates are in hot demand and many have more negotiating power than they think.”