If you are an accounting student, a recent graduate, or a working accountant planning your next career move, one of the most practical questions you ask is simple: how much can I expect to earn? This article answers that question for 2025 with up-to-date figures, clear salary bands, sector differences, city variations, and practical advice for negotiating better pay. You will also find real-life case scenarios showing how accountants at different stages of their careers earn in Nigeria, including how certifications and remote work affect pay.
Below is laid out entry-level, mid-level, and senior accountant salary ranges with context and citations to current salary surveys so you can make decisions based on reliable data. You'll also learn what total compensation components (allowances, bonuses, benefits) are, and how to increase your market value quickly.
Snapshot: What the data says for 2025
Multiple salary aggregators and local salary guides show variability, but there are consistent patterns:
- National averages and aggregated survey data place the average accountant salary in Nigeria at around ₦1.2m to ₦1.5m per year in 2025, while specialized roles and senior positions often earn substantially more.
- Senior accountants and chartered accountants in large cities or multinational firms can earn several million naira per year, with top roles (finance managers, controllers, CFOs) paid significantly higher.
- Local job boards and salary guides place typical monthly entry-level ranges between ₦100,000 and ₦150,000, mid-level between ₦200,000 and ₦400,000, and senior roles often starting around ₦400,000 monthly and going higher depending on sector and certification.
These figures are averages and ranges. The rest of this article explains what influences each band, provides realistic city and sector examples, and shows how you can raise your earnings.
How to read salary numbers: base pay, total pay, and variability
When you look at salary data you will encounter three related terms: base salary, total pay, and pay range. Base salary is the fixed annual or monthly pay. Total pay adds bonuses, allowances, and profit-sharing. Pay ranges differ widely because city, industry, company size, certifications, and remote work options change how much employers pay.
For example, PayScale’s aggregated data for accountants in Nigeria puts the average base around ₦1.47m per year (as of early 2025) with a wide range from less than ₦100,000 to several million depending on role and experience. Glassdoor, World Salaries, and local salary guides report similar but not identical figures - this is normal because samples and reporting methods vary.
Entry-level accountant salary Nigeria 2025
What counts as entry-level
Entry-level usually means 0 to 2 years of experience: fresh graduates, accounting assistants, junior accountants, and trainees in audit or bookkeeping. Entry-level roles are often learning-focused and may include rotational responsibilities.
Typical pay range
For 2025 you should expect entry-level accountant salary Nigeria 2025 to fall roughly in these monthly and annual bands:
- Monthly: ₦80,000 to ₦180,000
- Annual: ₦960,000 to ₦2,160,000 (gross) depending on city and employer
These numbers reflect aggregated data from local salary guides and employer listings. Many entry roles in smaller companies or non-profits pay towards the lower end while entry roles in banks, oil and gas suppliers, and multinational firms pay at or above the upper range.
Example scenarios
A fresh graduate hired as a junior accountant at a Lagos-based microfinance firm may start at ₦90,000 per month but get rapid review cycles. An entry-level hire at a multinational consumer goods company in Lagos might start at ₦150,000 to ₦200,000 monthly plus allowances.
Tips for entry-level earners
Focus on mastering Excel, one cloud accounting package (QuickBooks or Xero), reconciliation skills, basic tax computation, and timeliness. Internship experience and any internship-to-hire conversions substantially improve starting pay.
Mid-level accountant salary Nigeria 2025
What counts as mid-level
Mid-level accountants typically have 3 to 7 years’ experience. Roles include Accountant, Senior Accountant in some firms, Management Accountant, or specialist roles (tax, payroll, AR/AP lead). They take more ownership and often supervise junior staff.
Typical pay range
Mid-level accountant salary Nigeria 2025 generally lands in:
- Monthly: ₦200,000 to ₦500,000
- Annual: ₦2,400,000 to ₦6,000,000
JobNet and PayScale show mid-level financial accountants and senior accountants averaging around ₦2.5m to ₦3m annually in many cases, with higher pay for specialist skills or multinational employers.
Example scenarios
A mid-level accountant in Abuja working for a medium-sized manufacturing firm may earn ₦350,000 monthly and handle month-end close, management reporting, and budgeting. A tax specialist with three years’ experience in a Lagos tax advisory boutique might command higher fees or salary due to niche expertise.
How to move into the mid band
Obtain professional certifications (ACCA, ICAN stages), build specialization (tax, IFRS, payroll), and demonstrate consistent delivery such as reducing closing time, improving reconciliations, or automating reporting. These outcomes justify higher compensation.
Senior accountant salary Nigeria 2025
Who is senior
Senior accountants have 7+ years of experience or hold advanced roles: Senior Accountant, Accounting Manager, Financial Controller, or Chartered Accountant. They often lead teams, design accounting systems, and interact with senior management and auditors.
Typical pay range
Senior accountant salary Nigeria 2025 is the most variable but typically:
- Monthly: ₦400,000 to ₦1,200,000+
- Annual: ₦4,800,000 to ₦14,400,000+
PayScale and other surveys show senior accountant averages around ₦1.9m per year for a Senior Accountant category, but chartered accountants and finance managers in Lagos can earn well into mid-seven-figure naira salaries or higher in multinational firms.
Example scenarios
A Chartered Accountant (ICAN/ACCA) working as a Financial Controller at a large FMCG company in Lagos could earn ₦8m to ₦12m per year in base pay plus allowances. A senior finance manager in a well-funded tech startup might receive a lower base but sizable equity or bonus.
How certification affects senior pay
Becoming a Chartered Accountant or ACCA-qualified often unlocks manager and leadership roles and improves negotiation power. In some firms, CAs command two to three times the pay of non-certified peers at the same level.
City and sector variations: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and beyond
Geography matters. Lagos and Abuja remain the highest paying Nigerian cities for accountants, reflecting concentration of multinationals, banking, and oil and gas. Port Harcourt and other oil hub locations also offer premium pay for specialized roles.
World Salaries and city-level Glassdoor data show Lagos averages higher annual pay than national averages, with Lagos figures frequently reported between ₦2.8m to ₦4.5m for general accountants depending on the sample.
Sectors: banking, oil and gas, telecommunications, and multinational consumer goods tend to pay the most. NGOs, startups, small businesses, and public sector roles usually pay less but may offer other advantages such as experience breadth or flexible hours.
Remote accountant salary Nigeria 2025
Remote roles create two trends: local employers hiring remote staff pay local market rates, whereas global companies hiring Nigerian remote accountants often pay international-adjusted rates which can be substantially higher.
A Nigerian remote accountant working for an international SME or as a freelancer for overseas clients can often earn higher effective rates, sometimes earning in dollars or at international salaries adjusted for local contracting arrangements. This is an important earnings multiplier for Nigerian accountants seeking higher income.
Total compensation: allowances, bonuses, benefits and tax
Remember salary is more than base pay. Employers commonly offer:
- Transport, housing, or lunch allowances
- Monthly or annual bonuses tied to performance
- Medical insurance
- Pension contributions
- Mobility or communication stipends
When comparing offers, calculate total compensation and not just base pay. For example, a role with a lower base but strong annual bonuses and housing allowance may exceed a higher base-only job.
Tax considerations matter too. Accountants in Nigeria pay personal income tax under PAYE where relevant. Factor taxes into take-home pay calculations or ask prospective employers for net-pay estimates.
How to negotiate higher pay in Nigeria 2025
- Research market rates for your role and city using PayScale, JobNet, Jobberman, and company ads. Use those references in negotiation.
- Document measurable achievements: closed month-end faster, implemented automation saving X hours, reduced errors by Y percent. Concrete data wins negotiation.
- Use certifications as leverage: ACCA, ICAN, and specialized certificates (e.g., IFRS, QuickBooks/Xero) add value.
- Consider the full package: negotiate bonuses, allowances, training budget, or flexible hours if base pay is constrained.
- For remote or international roles, be clear about currency and payment method. Dollar or dollar-equivalent contracts often provide better purchasing power.
Real-life case studies
Case 1: From junior to mid-level in 3 years
A junior accountant in Lagos started at ₦100,000 monthly after university. She learned Xero, improved reconciliation procedures, and took an evening ACCA course. After two internal promotions she reached ₦300,000 monthly in year three. Her strategic mix of certifications and demonstrable process improvement accelerated her pay rise.
Case 2: Moving into high-paying multinational role
A senior accountant with 8 years’ experience and ICAN qualification was headhunted by a multinational FMCG company. His prior role at a medium-sized company paid ₦4m yearly. The multinational offered ₦9m plus housing allowance and higher bonuses, largely because of his audit and IFRS experience.
Case 3: Remote freelancing multiplier
An accountant in Nigeria began freelancing bookkeeping for small US e-commerce stores. Charging in dollars for monthly retainer packages, she quickly reached earnings equivalent to ₦500,000 monthly or more, illustrating how remote accountant salary Nigeria 2025 can be boosted by targeting international payers.
Read Also: Auditor Salary in 2025: Entry, Experienced & Big 4 Rates Explained
Common questions and FAQ about Accountant's salary
Q: What is the entry-level accountant salary Nigeria 2025?
A: Expect ₦80,000 to ₦180,000 monthly depending on city and employer. Smaller firms and NGOs sit lower; banks and multinationals pay higher.
Q: How much does a mid-level accountant earn in Nigeria 2025?
A: Mid-level accountants typically earn ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 monthly, with variation by specialization and sector.
Q: What is a realistic senior accountant salary Nigeria 2025?
A: Senior roles start around ₦400,000 monthly and can exceed ₦1,000,000 monthly for finance managers, controllers, or chartered accountants in multinationals.
Q: Do certifications matter for pay?
A: Yes. ACCA or ICAN (Chartered Accountant) often results in higher offers and faster progression to managerial roles.
Q: Can I earn more by working remotely for international clients?
A: Often yes. International or dollar-denominated contracts commonly pay more than local equivalents and are a strong strategy to boost income.
Q: Where can I find up-to-date salary data?
A: Use PayScale, Glassdoor, JobNet, Jobberman, and local salary guides; cross-check multiple sources because reported averages differ by sample sizes.
Final tips to increase your accountant salary in Nigeria in 2025
Invest in qualifications that the market values. Master cloud accounting tools and Excel. Build demonstrable outcomes you can quantify at interviews. Consider remote or freelance international clients for higher pay. Use negotiation based on solid market references and be transparent about your expectations.
Salaries in Nigeria vary, but the trends are clear: skill, certification, sector, and geography materially move pay. With deliberate upskilling and smart positioning, you can move from entry-level to senior salary bands faster than you might expect.
Sources and further reading
Key data referenced in this article comes from recent salary aggregators and local salary guides for Nigeria in 2025, including PayScale, Glassdoor, JobNet, World Salaries, and local market reports. For specific job market searches consult those sites directly and check company job adverts for real-time offers
