Accountant

Employment
Tips & Resources

accounting & finance

Accountant

Accountants have an above average proportion of full-time jobs across multiple industries. Growth prospects in accounting continue to rise, and skilled professionals are always in demand. If you’re analytically minded, have a keen eye for detail and want to pursue a career in a reliable, growing industry, then Accounting could be for you.

Explore your career as an:

Outlook
Duties
Career Pathway
Associations & Groups

Average wage

Around 199,200 people are currently employed as Accountants in Australia. This is set to increase slightly to 207,200 people by 2023, according to the Department of Employment.

Employment Levels

Around 199,200 people are currently employed as Accountants in Australia. This is set to increase slightly to 207,200 people by 2023, according to the Department of Employment.

Employment by State

39.3% of all Accountants are employed in NSW. The area with the lowest number of Accountants is NT, with only 0.6%.

Education Level

The majority of Accountants have a Bachelor Degree qualification (56.9%) or are at a Post Graduate/ Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate level (25.2%). 2.7% of people have a Cert III or IV, whilst 6.4% have a qualification which is Year 12 or lower.

Gender Split

This is an evenly split industry with 51.8% of Accountants being male and 48.2% female.

Age Brackets

The most popular age for people working as Accountants is 25-34 years old, with 31.9%. A small percentage (4.6%) of people get into this career path older, aged 65 and over. There is also a number of people who enjoy a career as Accountants, with 6.2% aged 20-24.

Hours Worked

Accountants work an average of 39.6 hours a week which is 0.4 hours lower than the average for all occupations.

Assisting in formulating budgetary and accounting policies
Preparing financial statements for presentation to boards of directors, management, shareholders, and governing and statutory bodies
Conducting financial investigations, preparing reports, undertaking audits and advising on matters such as the purchase and sale of businesses, mergers, capital financing, suspected fraud, insolvency and taxation
Examining operating costs and organisations' income and expenditure
Providing assurance about the accuracy of information contained in financial reports and their compliance with statutory requirements
Providing financial and taxation advice on business structures, plans and operations
Preparing taxation returns for individuals and organisations
Liaising with financial institutions and brokers to establish funds management arrangementsIntroducing and maintaining accounting systems, and advising on the selection and application of computer-based accounting systems
Maintaining internal control systemsMay appraise cash flow and financial risk of capital investment projects

Discover the best pathway for your career needs

There are many pathways you can take in your career in Accounting. The pathways suggested follow a series of steps to help you reach the role you desire.

BSB30120

Certificate III in Business (Customer Engagement)

Ready to boost your customer engagement? Equip yourself with a valuable set of service skills and learn how to keep your customers happy. Gain a solid education in the fundamentals of clerical and admin services and enjoy diverse...

View Course

BSB30120

Certificate III in Business (Records & Information Management)

Prepare yourself for lasting success in records and information management by learning a broad range of both office and specialised skills. You’ll graduate industry-ready, and fully prepared to pursue a successful career working with numbers.

View Course

CHC32015

Certificate III in Community Services

Get ready to unlock many career outcomes. Discover all the tools you need to achieve long-lasting success in the booming community service sector. Graduate industry-ready and fully equipped to make an immediate impact.

View Course