Accountant
Accountants provide accounting services to companies, organisations and individuals. They prepare financial statements and forms, and advise clients on financial aspects of business.
Pay Pay for accountants varies depending on qualifications, experience, the region they work in, and the size and type of organisation they work for.
New accounting technicians and assistant accountants can earn between $58,000 and $81,000 a year.
Accountants who are not CPA/CA qualified usually earn between $55,000 and $90,000.
Mid-level accountants with up to four years' experience usually earn between $76,000 and $106,000.
Senior accountants can earn between $102,000 and $202,000.
Sources: Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand, 'Remuneration Survey 2018'; and Hays, 'FY 18/19 Hays Salary Guide', 2018.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)
What you will do Accountants may do some or all of the following:
prepare financial statements and reports for clients or company management
record the amount of money spent and received daily by clients or company management
develop, forecast and check budgets
prepare goods and services tax (GST) and other returns, such as surveys, pay as you earn (PAYE) and tax forms
advise on financial aspects of businesses such as budgets, tax and cashflows
review accounting procedures and analyse the financial performance of businesses
assist management with strategic planning and human resources.
Skills and knowledge Accountants need to have:
knowledge of finance, economics and marketing
knowledge of business management practices, including business ethics
ability to use accounting software, such as Xero, MYOB, iFirm or SAP
accounting and maths skills.
Working conditions Accountants:
usually work regular hours, but may work weekends or evenings to meet deadlines
usually work in offices, but may work from home
may travel to visit clients.
Entry requirements
To become an accountant you usually need an accounting degree, or a business or commerce degree majoring in accounting.
Join a professional organisation
Most accountants are members of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ). Some accountants are members of CPA Australia.
To become a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a Chartered Public Accountant (CPA) you must:
complete a degree from an approved university
complete three years of professional experience
complete qualifications set by CA ANZ or CPA Australia.
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand website - information on becoming a chartered accountant
CPA Australia website - information about becoming a chartered public accountant
People working in accountancy in New Zealand may also join the Accountants or Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand (ATAINZ). To become a member of ATAINZ you must:
have a two-year accounting diploma or a degree in accounting or business studies.
Accounting technician entry requirements To become an accounting technician you need to complete two years of tertiary study. This could be either:
a New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6)
degree-level study in accounting and business.
Accounting technicians must also complete one year of relevant accounting experience before, during or after they complete their tertiary study.
Secondary education
A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include accounting, business studies, economics, English and maths.
Personal requirements
Accountants need to be:
methodical and accurate, with a good eye for detail
able to work well under pressure
honest and responsible
skilled in analysing and interpreting information
skilled in organising and planning
good problem solvers
good communicators and able to relate well to people.
Useful experience
Useful experience for accountants includes:
accounts and auditing work
accounting software experience
work in offices and administration.
Registration Membership with an accounting professional body is recommended but not compulsory.
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand website - find out about membership
Accountants and Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand website - find out about membership
Find out more about training Accountants and Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand (ATAINZ)
0508 282 469 - admin@atainz.co.nz - www.atainz.co.nz
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ)
0800 469 422 - service@charteredaccountantsanz.com - www.charteredaccounantsanz.com
CPA Australia(09) 913 7450 - nz@cpaaustralia.com.au - www.cpaaustralia.com.au
What are the chances of getting a job?
Accountants in demand
Accountant appears on Immigration New Zealand's regional skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled accountants from overseas to work in New Zealand. Demand for accountants is expected to continue to grow due to:
an increasing need for analysts who can understand and interpret financial data to help businesses make decisions
growth in industries, such as the banking, construction and retirement industries
companies having strict regulations for financial reporting.
Turnover among accountants is high in large companies, so vacancies for experienced and graduate accountants are common. This is because:
there is confidence in the job market, so accountants may change positions more frequently
newly qualified chartered accountants often move overseas, creating vacancies for graduates.
There are about 29,000 Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ) members and just over 2,200 CPA Australia members in New Zealand.
Opportunities for students and graduates
Many large accounting companies have summer internships for students and programmes for graduates which can lead to full-time employment.
Types of employers varied Most accountants work for accounting businesses, which can range in size from small businesses employing just a few people, to large nationwide companies employing hundreds of people. Other types of businesses also employ accountants to help with finances and planning. These include:
legal firms
financial asset investors
private companies across of range of industries
marketing and business management companies
central and local government departments and organisations
retirement villages
construction businesses.
Sources
Accountants and Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand (ATAINZ) website, accessed December 2018, (www.atainz.co.nz).
Cameron, A, managing director, Consult Recruitment, careers.govt.nz interview, January 2019.
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand website, accessed December 2018, (www.charteredaccountantsanz.com).
CPA Australia website, accessed December 2018, (www.cpaaustralia.com.au).
Immigration New Zealand, 'Regional Skill Shortage List', 27 May 2019, (www.immigration.govt.nz).
Nadkarni, A, 'Red Carpet Rolled Out For Accountants As Demand Booms', 24 August 2017, (www.stuff.co.nz).
Thompson, M, board member, ATAINZ, careers.govt.nz interview, December 2018.
Westpac, 'Industry Insight Accounting Services', September 2018, (www.westpac.co.nz).
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)
Progression and specialisations Accountants may move into senior management positions, such as finance manager, or auditor or financial adviser roles.
Accountants may specialise in accounting roles such as: Financial AccountantFinancial accountants manage the finances of an organisation. They may prepare financial statements for the public, prepare taxation returns, and report on business costs, profit and productivity.
Management AccountantManagement accountants identify what financial information an organisation needs, give advice on financial planning and risks, and make reports to managers to help with decision-making.
Systems AccountantSystems accountants review and identify issues with the performance of business IT systems. They work with IT teams to develop systems for business, and review and maintain financial system policies.
Taxation AccountantTaxation accountants report and provide advice on taxation issues to organisations or individuals, prepare taxation returns and reports, and handle disputes with taxation authorities.