Accountant Career Guide
Your complete guide to Accounting careers in New Zealand - from Graduate Accountant to Partner
What is an Accountant?
Accountants in New Zealand are essential financial professionals who manage, analyze, and report on financial information for businesses, organizations, and individuals. The profession offers diverse career paths from public accounting to corporate finance, consulting, and specialized advisory services.
With strong regulatory standards and professional development frameworks, accounting in NZ provides excellent career stability, progression opportunities, and the foundation for many senior business roles including CFO and CEO positions.
Core Accounting Functions
- Financial Reporting - Preparing financial statements and compliance reporting
- Audit & Assurance - Independent verification of financial information
- Tax Advisory - Tax planning, compliance, and optimization
- Management Accounting - Internal financial analysis and decision support
- Advisory Services - Business consulting and strategic advice
- Risk Management - Internal controls and compliance
- Financial Analysis - Performance measurement and forecasting
Quick Facts
Accounting Career Specializations
🔍 Audit & Assurance
Salary Range: $50,000 - $150,000
What You'll Do:
- External audit of company financial statements
- Internal audit and risk assessment
- Compliance and regulatory reviews
- Due diligence for transactions
- Process improvement recommendations
Career Path:
Graduate → Senior → Manager → Director → Partner
Top Employers:
PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, BDO, RSM
💼 Corporate Accounting
Salary Range: $55,000 - $180,000
What You'll Do:
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Month-end and year-end close processes
- Management reporting and KPIs
- Financial planning and analysis
Career Path:
Accountant → Senior Accountant → Finance Manager → CFO
Top Employers:
Fonterra, Spark, Fletcher Building, Fisher & Paykel
📊 Tax Advisory
Salary Range: $55,000 - $200,000+
What You'll Do:
- Corporate tax planning and compliance
- GST and international tax
- Tax due diligence for M&A
- Tax dispute resolution
- Personal tax and wealth planning
Career Path:
Graduate → Senior → Manager → Director → Partner
Specialization Areas:
Corporate tax, International tax, Indirect tax, Private wealth
🏛️ Government & NFP
Salary Range: $50,000 - $130,000
What You'll Do:
- Public sector financial management
- Grant and funding compliance
- Performance measurement
- Budget preparation and monitoring
- Policy development support
Benefits:
- Excellent work-life balance
- Strong job security
- Comprehensive benefits
- Professional development support
🔧 Management Accounting
Salary Range: $60,000 - $160,000
What You'll Do:
- Cost accounting and analysis
- Performance measurement systems
- Business partnering with operations
- Process improvement initiatives
- Strategic planning support
Skills Required:
- Strong analytical abilities
- Business acumen
- Communication skills
- Systems and technology proficiency
🏢 Advisory & Consulting
Salary Range: $70,000 - $250,000+
What You'll Do:
- Business advisory and strategy
- Transaction services (M&A, IPO)
- Restructuring and turnaround
- Risk and compliance consulting
- Technology and process consulting
Key Skills:
- Problem-solving abilities
- Client relationship management
- Project management
- Industry expertise
Professional Accounting Qualifications
CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand)
Program Structure
- Foundation Level: 8 modules covering core accounting topics
- Capstone: Ethics, professional skills, and contemporary issues
- Duration: 3-4 years part-time while working
- Cost: ~$15,000 - $20,000 total
Work Experience Requirement
- 3 years relevant work experience (can be during studies)
- Mentorship from a CA
- Performance reviews and competency development
- Professional development activities
Career Benefits
- Highest recognition in NZ market
- Average salary increase of $15,000-25,000 upon qualification
- Pathway to senior roles (CFO, CEO, Partner)
- International recognition (especially Australia)
- Strong professional network
CPA Australia
Program Structure
- Foundation Level: 6 core modules
- Professional Level: 6 modules (4 core + 2 electives)
- Duration: 2.5-4 years part-time
- Cost: ~$12,000 - $16,000 total
Unique Features
- Flexible study options and pathways
- Strong focus on business and strategy
- Excellent international recognition
- Well-regarded in corporate environments
ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
Program Benefits
- Global recognition (especially UK/Europe)
- Can start without degree
- Flexible study approach
- Growing recognition in NZ
- Good for international career aspirations
CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
Specialization
- Management and cost accounting focus
- Strong business analysis component
- Excellent for corporate finance roles
- Growing recognition in NZ
- Shorter duration than CA/CPA
Accounting Salary Guide NZ
🎓 Graduate & Entry Level (0-2 years)
💼 Intermediate Level (2-5 years)
🏢 Senior Level (5-10 years)
🎯 Executive Level (10+ years)
Factors Affecting Accounting Salaries
Auckland: +10-15% above national average
Wellington: +5-10%
Christchurch: +0-5%
Regional: -10-15%
Big 4: +10-20% premium
Mid-tier: Competitive with benefits
Small firms: -5-15% but flexible
Corporate: Stable with benefits
Tax advisory: +15-25%
Transaction services: +20-30%
Risk & compliance: +10-20%
General practice: Baseline
Top Accounting Employers in NZ
🏢 Big 4 Accounting Firms
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Services: Audit, Tax, Advisory, Consulting
Graduate Salary: $52,000 - $58,000
Employees: ~1,000 in NZ
Global leader with strong NZ presence across all service lines
Deloitte
Services: Audit, Tax, Consulting, Financial Advisory
Graduate Salary: $50,000 - $56,000
Employees: ~900 in NZ
Strong consulting practice with excellent career development
KPMG
Services: Audit, Tax, Advisory
Graduate Salary: $49,000 - $55,000
Employees: ~800 in NZ
Strong focus on mid-market clients with personalized approach
Ernst & Young (EY)
Services: Audit, Tax, Strategy, Transactions
Graduate Salary: $48,000 - $54,000
Employees: ~700 in NZ
Innovative approach with strong technology focus
🏪 Mid-Tier Accounting Firms
BDO New Zealand
Focus: Mid-market clients, personal service
Salary: Competitive with Big 4
Strong regional presence with partner-led approach
RSM New Zealand
Focus: SME clients, industry specialization
Salary: $45,000 - $120,000
Growing firm with excellent career progression
Baker Tilly Staples Rodway
Focus: Comprehensive business advisory
Salary: $44,000 - $110,000
Long-established NZ firm with strong reputation
🏭 Corporate & Industry
Fonterra
Opportunities: Financial reporting, management accounting
Salary: $55,000 - $150,000
Global dairy cooperative with complex accounting requirements
Spark New Zealand
Opportunities: Corporate finance, business partnering
Salary: $60,000 - $140,000
Leading telco with modern finance function
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Opportunities: International accounting, compliance
Salary: $58,000 - $130,000
Global healthcare technology company
🏛️ Government & Public Sector
New Zealand Treasury
Opportunities: Public sector financial management
Salary: $55,000 - $120,000
Central government economic and fiscal policy
Office of the Auditor-General
Opportunities: Public sector audit
Salary: $50,000 - $110,000
Independent audit of government organizations
Accounting Career Progression
🏢 Public Accounting Path (Big 4 / Mid-Tier)
🏭 Corporate Accounting Path
Current Accounting Job Opportunities
Find the latest accounting roles across New Zealand's top employers