I came across a TikTok claiming that certain finance/accounting qualifications can “pay you so much” and are basically the fastest route to high earnings.

It got me thinking — how true is this in the UK today?

Do qualifications like ACA, ACCA, CFA, CAIA, etc. actually guarantee higher pay?

How much does employer, location (London vs elsewhere), and role matter compared to the qualification itself?

Are there alternative paths (experience, switching roles, tech/finance crossover, entrepreneurship) that outperform the traditional qualification route?

And for students/apprentices — is the return on time, stress, and cost really worth it?

Would be really interested to hear from people currently studying, recently qualified, or already working in finance/accounting. What’s been your real-world experience?