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.
