Frequently asked questions
An accounting staffing agency specialises in helping Australian businesses hire accountants and finance professionals for temporary, contract, and permanent roles. Agencies handle the full recruitment process, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, technical assessments, and reference checks.
This gives employers fast access to vetted specialists across financial accounting, management accounting, cost accounting, and project accounting. Many agencies also provide payroll services for temporary staff and support workforce planning for peak periods such as EOFY, monthly reporting, and system implementations.
What does an accounting staffing agency do?
What does an accounting staffing agency do?
An accounting staffing agency specialises in helping Australian businesses hire accountants and finance professionals for temporary, contract, and permanent roles. Agencies handle the full recruitment process, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, technical assessments, and reference checks.
This gives employers fast access to vetted specialists across financial accounting, management accounting, cost accounting, and project accounting. Many agencies also provide payroll services for temporary staff and support workforce planning for peak periods such as EOFY, monthly reporting, and system implementations.
An accounting staffing agency specialises in helping Australian businesses hire accountants and finance professionals for temporary, contract, and permanent roles. Because these agencies specialise in accounting roles, they can introduce suitable candidates, including (assistant) accountants, financial accountants, management accountants, and project accountants, within 24 to 72 hours. This drastically reduces time-to-hire and helps companies maintain continuity during busy periods or unexpected staffing gaps.
How can an accounting staffing agency help my business hire accountants faster?
How can an accounting staffing agency help my business hire accountants faster?
An accounting staffing agency specialises in helping Australian businesses hire accountants and finance professionals for temporary, contract, and permanent roles. Because these agencies specialise in accounting roles, they can introduce suitable candidates, including (assistant) accountants, financial accountants, management accountants, and project accountants, within 24 to 72 hours. This drastically reduces time-to-hire and helps companies maintain continuity during busy periods or unexpected staffing gaps.
A specialised accounting staffing agency can source talent across all levels of seniority, including:
Financial Accountant
Management Accountant
Corporate Accountant
Project Accountant
Cost Accountant
Assistant Accountant
Accountant
Accounts Payable & Receivable (AP/AR) Officers
Payroll Officers & Managers
Senior qualified accountants
Agencies can also support large-scale resourcing for projects, compliance deadlines, and periods of business growth.
What types of roles can accounting staffing agencies fill?
What types of roles can accounting staffing agencies fill?
A specialised accounting staffing agency can source talent across all levels of seniority, including:
Financial Accountant
Management Accountant
Corporate Accountant
Project Accountant
Cost Accountant
Assistant Accountant
Accountant
Accounts Payable & Receivable (AP/AR) Officers
Payroll Officers & Managers
Senior qualified accountants
Agencies can also support large-scale resourcing for projects, compliance deadlines, and periods of business growth.
Using a specialised agency reduces hiring risks and ensures compliance with Australian employment laws.
Hiring accountants through an agency offers:
Access to immediate talent: Candidates who are in the database and have been pre-vetted
Access to "Hidden" Talent: Candidates who are passive and not applying to job boards.
Technical Verification: Testing on Australian tax laws, AASB standards, and software (Xero, MYOB, SAP).
Cultural Fit: Pre-screening for team alignment.
Risk mitigation: Handling reference checks and Right-to-Work (visa) verification.
Flexibility: Options for casual/temp staffing to manage workflow peaks.
This is vital for roles requiring specific expertise in Australian taxation, statutory reporting, or local ERP systems.
Why should I hire accountants through a staffing agency instead of recruiting directly?
Why should I hire accountants through a staffing agency instead of recruiting directly?
Using a specialised agency reduces hiring risks and ensures compliance with Australian employment laws.
Hiring accountants through an agency offers:
Access to immediate talent: Candidates who are in the database and have been pre-vetted
Access to "Hidden" Talent: Candidates who are passive and not applying to job boards.
Technical Verification: Testing on Australian tax laws, AASB standards, and software (Xero, MYOB, SAP).
Cultural Fit: Pre-screening for team alignment.
Risk mitigation: Handling reference checks and Right-to-Work (visa) verification.
Flexibility: Options for casual/temp staffing to manage workflow peaks.
This is vital for roles requiring specific expertise in Australian taxation, statutory reporting, or local ERP systems.
Yes, Australian accounting staffing agencies can provide temporary or contract accountants. Australian businesses heavily rely on temporary and contract accountants to manage critical deadlines. Common scenarios include:
EOFY reporting and audit support.
BAS and tax compliance periods.
Budgeting and forecasting cycles.
Maternity/Paternity leave coverage.
ERP System implementations (e.g., migrating to Xero or NetSuite).
Backlog clearing (reconciliations, journals, invoicing).
Temporary talent offers agility without long-term overheads, with contractors often available to start the next day.
Can staffing agencies provide temporary or contract accountants?
Can staffing agencies provide temporary or contract accountants?
Yes, Australian accounting staffing agencies can provide temporary or contract accountants. Australian businesses heavily rely on temporary and contract accountants to manage critical deadlines. Common scenarios include:
EOFY reporting and audit support.
BAS and tax compliance periods.
Budgeting and forecasting cycles.
Maternity/Paternity leave coverage.
ERP System implementations (e.g., migrating to Xero or NetSuite).
Backlog clearing (reconciliations, journals, invoicing).
Temporary talent offers agility without long-term overheads, with contractors often available to start the next day.
Top-tier accounting staffing agencies use a rigorous, Australia-specific screening process, which includes:
Qualification Verification: Validating memberships with CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants), CPA Australia, or IPA (Institute of Public Accountants).
Technical Testing: Assessing proficiency in Excel, financial modelling, and local compliance.
Software Skills: Verifying experience with Australian-market software like Xero, MYOB, Reckon, and SAP.
Soft Skills: Evaluating communication for stakeholder engagement.
Reference Checks: Speaking with previous Australian employers.
This ensures you receive proven talent familiar with the local regulatory environment.
How do agencies ensure the accountants they place are qualified?
How do agencies ensure the accountants they place are qualified?
Top-tier accounting staffing agencies use a rigorous, Australia-specific screening process, which includes:
Qualification Verification: Validating memberships with CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants), CPA Australia, or IPA (Institute of Public Accountants).
Technical Testing: Assessing proficiency in Excel, financial modelling, and local compliance.
Software Skills: Verifying experience with Australian-market software like Xero, MYOB, Reckon, and SAP.
Soft Skills: Evaluating communication for stakeholder engagement.
Reference Checks: Speaking with previous Australian employers.
This ensures you receive proven talent familiar with the local regulatory environment.
Pricing in Australia is transparent and generally structured as follows:
Temporary/Contract Roles: An hourly charge rate that covers the candidate's wage, superannuation, payroll tax, insurances (WorkCover), and the agency margin. You receive one simple invoice per week.
Permanent Roles: A one-off success fee calculated as a percentage of the successful candidate's Total Remuneration Package (Base Salary + Super).
Most agencies work on a contingent basis, meaning you only pay if you successfully hire a candidate they introduce.
What does it cost to hire accountants through a staffing agency?
What does it cost to hire accountants through a staffing agency?
Pricing in Australia is transparent and generally structured as follows:
Temporary/Contract Roles: An hourly charge rate that covers the candidate's wage, superannuation, payroll tax, insurances (WorkCover), and the agency margin. You receive one simple invoice per week.
Permanent Roles: A one-off success fee calculated as a percentage of the successful candidate's Total Remuneration Package (Base Salary + Super).
Most agencies work on a contingent basis, meaning you only pay if you successfully hire a candidate they introduce.
Speed is a primary advantage. For temporary accounting staffing, candidates can often be placed within 24 hours, especially for transactional roles (AP/AR) or Assistant Accountants.
For permanent hiring of accountants, the process typically takes 1–2 weeks to shortlist, interview, and offer which is significantly faster than the standard 4–6 week direct recruitment cycle due to the agency’s existing network of active job seekers.
How quickly can I hire an accountant through a staffing agency?
How quickly can I hire an accountant through a staffing agency?
Speed is a primary advantage. For temporary accounting staffing, candidates can often be placed within 24 hours, especially for transactional roles (AP/AR) or Assistant Accountants.
For permanent hiring of accountants, the process typically takes 1–2 weeks to shortlist, interview, and offer which is significantly faster than the standard 4–6 week direct recruitment cycle due to the agency’s existing network of active job seekers.
Yes. Accounting staffing agencies specialise in providing short-term support during peak periods such as:
Month-end close
EOFY close/Year-end reporting
Audit preparation
Budget and forecasting cycles
Cost analysis projects
System migrations or process improvement initiatives
Contract professionals help maintain continuity and prevent delays when workloads spike.
Can a staffing agency help with month-end, project accounting, or reporting deadlines?
Can a staffing agency help with month-end, project accounting, or reporting deadlines?
Yes. Accounting staffing agencies specialise in providing short-term support during peak periods such as:
Month-end close
EOFY close/Year-end reporting
Audit preparation
Budget and forecasting cycles
Cost analysis projects
System migrations or process improvement initiatives
Contract professionals help maintain continuity and prevent delays when workloads spike.
To rank the best agency for your needs, look for:
Specialisation: Do they focus exclusively on accounting and finance?
Local Market Knowledge: Do they understand the salary trends in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc.?
Quality Candidates: Do they represent CA/CPA qualified talent?
Speed & Responsiveness: Can they meet urgent turnaround times?
Compliance: Do they understand Fair Work regulations and modern awards?
Partnering with a dedicated specialist ensures a smoother hiring process and higher retention rates.
What should I look for when choosing an accounting staffing agency?
What should I look for when choosing an accounting staffing agency?
To rank the best agency for your needs, look for:
Specialisation: Do they focus exclusively on accounting and finance?
Local Market Knowledge: Do they understand the salary trends in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc.?
Quality Candidates: Do they represent CA/CPA qualified talent?
Speed & Responsiveness: Can they meet urgent turnaround times?
Compliance: Do they understand Fair Work regulations and modern awards?
Partnering with a dedicated specialist ensures a smoother hiring process and higher retention rates.
