The average salary of chartered accountants rose by 12 per cent to £57,000 (€72,375) in the last year, but women in the profession continue to be paid less than their male counterparts, with their average starting package still £4,000 lower than that of men, at £24,000 per annum.

A survey of 1,058 practitioners, published by the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants yesterday, showed that the rewards for heads of finance in the financial services sector continue to outstrip those of their counterparts in industry and commerce.

Salaries in financial services rose by more than 32 per cent, from £67,300 in 1998 to £88,900 at the start of this year, while salaries in industry and commerce rose by 12 per cent to £65,200.

The survey also shows that the differential between male and female chartered accountants increases proportionally with their years spent in the profession. A female accountant who qualified between 1980 and 1984 is now receiving an average package of £66,900 compared with £89,300 for men with the same experience.