ACCOUNTANTS in Swindon have expressed surprise at a survey which said they are among the highest paid of their profession.

The new research indicates that accountants in the town receive £2,000 more in their annual pay packets (£38,000) than the national average (£36,000).

The only other towns where accountants can score a larger pay packet than Swindon are Milton Keynes, Windsor and Guildford, with average salaries of £38K, £39K and £40K respectively.

While only 10 per cent of accountants in Swindon receive less than £25k per annum, which is eight per cent lower than the national average, more than half are paid in excess of £37,000, whereas nationally, only 46 per cent can expect to receive such a salary.

However, according to one accountant, working in the town's practice sector, who asked to remain anonymous, the findings are something of a surprise.

He said: "If our 'average' client was prepared to pay double our fees, then maybe we could pay our 'above average accountancy staff' more than 'below average'."

The survey, conducted by Robert Half Finance & Accounting in conjunction with Accountancy Age, attracted over 5,200 respondents from the finance profession.

Other highlights include:

52 per cent of accountants in the town are currently seeking a new job.

45 per cent received more than £1000 bonus during the last fiscal year, which is slightly higher than the national average of 41 per cent.

And seven per cent of those in Swindon received a bonus in excess of £10,000, which is two per cent lower than the national average of nine per cent.

Commenting on the survey, Keith Astill, head of corporate personnel at Nationwide said: "Swindon has low unemployment and it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right employees."