As businesses continue to explore offshoring and remote work, hiring internationally has become a highly cost-effective way to access top-tier talent.
One of the standout locations for offshore finance professionals is South Africa, where highly skilled Chartered Accountants (CAs(SA)) offer exceptional expertise at a fraction of the cost of UK-based hires.
Salary Expectations for South African Accountants
The general rule of thumb when offshoring is that South African accountants are typically 50% more affordable than their UK counterparts. This presents a significant cost-saving opportunity for businesses looking to build a strong finance team without compromising on quality.
Here’s a breakdown of typical salary ranges:
- Newly Qualified Chartered Accountants – from £2,000 per month
- Highly Experienced Accountants – from £4,000 per month
- Exceptional CFO-Level Talent – starting from £5,000+ per month
For businesses willing to embrace remote CFOs, there are experienced finance professionals in South Africa who can strategically lead businesses, often making periodic visits to the UK to engage with teams and stakeholders in person.
Why South African Accountants Are a Smart Choice
Beyond the cost savings, hiring a South African accountant offers several advantages:
- Access to Top-Tier Talent – South Africa produces some of the best-trained Chartered Accountants in the world, with a rigorous qualification process and extensive practical experience.
- Specialist Expertise – Many accountants have backgrounds in audit, tax, financial management, and advisory, making them well-rounded professionals capable of handling complex finance functions.
- Business-Minded Professionals – A growing trend among South African accountants is their desire to be more involved in strategic decision-making. Many are looking for opportunities where they can actively contribute to business growth rather than just perform compliance-based tasks.
- Alignment with UK Accounting Standards – South African accountants are well-versed in IFRS and UK GAAP, ensuring a smooth transition into UK businesses.
A Unique Opportunity for Forward-Thinking Businesses
For companies that are open to working with remote finance professionals, this is a unique opportunity to access highly experienced accountants and CFOs at a fraction of UK salary expectations.
Many of these professionals are looking for businesses where they can:
- Work closely with senior management
- Make strategic recommendations
- Use their expertise to drive business growth
- Be part of a team that values their input
If your business is in a position to embrace remote accounting talent, you could gain access to some of the most skilled and forward-thinking accountants at a highly competitive cost.
At Sagen Advisory, we specialise in placing top South African Chartered Accountants in businesses. If you’re interested in hiring skilled finance professionals at a competitive rate, get in touch today!
Contact us to explore remote finance talent solutions!