From junior accountant to head of accounting: the 2025 salaries within accounting

Published date: 12 May 2025

Are you working as an accountant and keen to benchmark your salary? Or are you looking for a new job in accounting but have no idea what salary to expect? Olivier Pietrantoni, Principal at Swiss recruitment specialist Robert Walters, provides an overview of salaries for the most common positions within accounting, based on the Robert Walters Salary Survey 2025.

(Junior) Accountant

A junior accountant can expect a gross annual salary of CHF 70k-80k. After about five years of experience, this salary can rise to CHF 110k gross per year. “Accountants remain highly sought after in the labour market, which means that demand for even junior professionals in this field is particularly high. Temporary positions in particular offer an ideal springboard to gain experience quickly and build a strong CV,” Olivier explains.

AP/AR Accountant

“Although the responsibilities of an AP/AR Accountant are different from those of a (Junior) Accountant, the pay is along the same lines. As an entry-level AP/AR Accountant, you can count on around CHF 70k gross per year. Those with +5 years‘ experience within accounts payable and/or accounts receivable can see their salary rise to CHF 100k,” says Olivier.

Senior Accountant

The job content of a Senior Accountant strongly depends on the type of organisation you work for: an accounting firm, an SME or a large international organisation. Olivier: “Depending on the sector and the size of the organisation, you can expect an average gross annual salary of CHF 120k-130k.”

Head of Accounting

Olivier: “As Head of Accounting, you will be less actively involved in the day-to-day operational accounting tasks, but you will be ultimately responsible for the entire accounting process from A to Z, as well as laying the foundations for the financial analyses that will ultimately determine the decisions on the company's growth. Professionals in this position earn CHF 140k-160k gross per year on average.”

Tax Specialist

“As a Tax Specialist, you will be responsible for advising the organisation on tax strategies and structures, tax compliance and optimisation of tax liabilities. This role requires both in-depth technical knowledge and the ability to adapt strategies to the business needs of the organisation you work for.” The salary for a Tax Specialist is between CHF 140k and CHF 190k gross per year, depending on experience and sector.

Treasury Manager

“A Treasury Manager manages an organisation's cash flow, funding and financial risks. This position requires excellent knowledge of financial markets, liquidity management and risk management strategies. Depending on your experience and the sector you enter, the salary for a Treasury Manager ranges between CHF 140k and CHF 180k gross per year,” Olivier explains.