Incorporating NQ magazine
Septenber 2026
www.pqmagazine.com/www.pqjobs.co.uk
GENDER PAY GAP GROWING The gender pay gap is alive and kicking in 2026. GAAPWeb’s latest salary report shows the sectorwide gender pay gap remains unchanged this year, with women making 21% less than men for the second consecutive year. A typical salary for a male professional is £85,900, while females average just £68,000 – a difference of £18,000. The big worry is the latest disparity freezes the progress achieved in 2024, when the gap closed to 9% (£62,500 versus £57,000). The pay imbalances become even more pronounced in senior and specialist roles. Corporate finance exhibits the widest gulf overall, with male salaries tripling those of female colleagues (£78,200 / £26,000). It is not much better for management accountants, where the gap is 33% (£72,100 / £48,600). The one bright spot is CFO positions, where women’s salaries outpace the men’s by 3% (£142,000 / £138,400). The survey also looked at accountants’ working arrangements. While 58% of respondent split their time via hybrid setups, nearly a third (28%) work entirely onsite. This is up from 25% last year, and represents more than double the remote-
only workers (13%). The need to be ‘in work’ is tied to specific operational systems, led by purchase ledger (67%) and payroll (56%). But GAAPweb found employers need to be aware that a return-tooffice (RTO) mandate would be a deal breaker for 69% of those taking part in the survey. Gen Z and Millennials prove the most resistant
to full-time office returns, with an identical 69% stating they would look for a new role elsewhere if flexibility was removed. The survey found on top of flexibility and competitive pay, solid long-term employment prospects are also important. Job security (24%) and flexible/hybrid working (23%) account for almost half of all responses, signalling an essential shift in priorities. As GAAPweb says: “In an uncertain market, a stable working environment and life-friendly working patterns win over other cultural or development perks.” GAAPweb’s commercial director, Andrew Robertson (pictured), said: “As a signatory of the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, GAAPweb is committed to driving transparency and equal opportunity across the sector, championing gender diversity throughout the recruitment process to our clients, candidates and employees. Our latest salary report findings show that the gender pay gap stands at 21%, a disparity mirrored by the HMT Women in Finance Charter findings, which showed female representation in senior management still sits at 37%.” There’s more insight on page 32.
ABP HEADING SOUTH ICAS is expanding access to its Accounting and Business Professional (ABP) qualification south of the border. The institute has partnered with BPP to help grow the qualification through a mix of in-person and online learning. Eligible for Level 4 apprenticeship funding, the ABP programme offers employers a cost-effective way to strengthen finance teams, build wider business capability and develop talent with minimal disruption
to day-to-day operations. For learners, it provides a flexible route to enhance their careers, either by upskilling or formalising existing expertise, while gaining a professional designation from a globally respected body. It typically takes 12-15 months to complete, and there is an option to progress to Chartered Accountant (CA) status through exemptions from the first level of the CA syllabus. Jo Preston-Taylor, Chief Financial Officer at BPP (pictured)
and an ICAS member, added: “The introduction of the ICAS ABP in England marks an important step in expanding access to professional qualifications and an exciting new chapter in our longstanding partnership. “For more than 25 years we have worked with ICAS to prepare learners in practice. This launch builds on that delivery experience, enabling more individuals and organisations to benefit from a flexible route, while maintaining the quality and rigour
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