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Jobseekers: Explore opportunities and grow your career with us. We understand both employers and finance workers are striving to stay ahead of the changes transforming the Australian workplace. For businesses, economic uncertainty is prompting a sharper focus on roles that strengthen revenue resilience and long-term stability. The challenge lies in finding professionals with the right blend of strategic insight, systems expertise, and digital fluency to modernise financial operations and ensure compliance.  For finance and accounting candidates, those with specialised skills in financial controlling and transformation are in high demand, but they must also demonstrate adaptability and business acumen to stand out. The ongoing shortage of qualified accountants has intensified competition, pushing salaries slightly upward, while employee expectations have risen in parallel. Employers are prioritising those who can deliver impact quickly, balancing precision, leadership, and agility in a shifting economic landscape. But where to start? Look no further than the 2026 Robert Half Finance and Accounting Salary Guide. We have curated this report to arm you with the knowledge and confidence to make the right employment decisions. Whether you're a hiring manager looking to attract top finance talent or an accounting jobseeker hoping to find your next role, this guide provides valuable insights and Australian salary benchmarks based on Robert Half’s placement data to help the decision-making process. Hiring managers: Get customised salary data and insights from a Robert Half talent solutions professional.

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Accounting Financial/Business Analysis Financial Management Credit Management Internal Audit Payroll Tax Treasury External Audit/Business Advisory Services
Position title 25th percentile 50th percentile 75th percentile Assistant Accountant 80000 85000 90000 Accountant 95000 110000 115000 Senior Accountant 110000 120000 135000 Group Accountant 110000 130000 145000 Accounts Officer 70000 75000 80000 Finance Officer 70000 75000 80000 Accounts Payable Officer 75000 80000 85000 Accounts Payable Supervisor 85000 100000 120000 Accounts Payable Manager 90000 110000 135000 Accounts Receivable Officer 75000 80000 85000 Accounts Receivable Supervisor 85000 100000 120000 Accounts Receivable Manager 90000 110000 135000 Bookkeeper 75000 85000 95000 Corporate Accountant 110000 130000 145000 Cost Accountant 110000 120000 135000 Financial Accountant 95000 105000 115000 Senior Financial Accountant 115000 130000 145000 Management Accountant 100000 110000 120000 Senior Management Accountant 120000 135000 145000 Project Accountant 105000 120000 135000
25th percentile
The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.
50th percentile
The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.
75th percentile
The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialized certifications.
Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or superannuation.

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2026 finance and accounting compensation trends

Key insights at a glance

57%

of finance managers say the compensation they offer is fully or mostly aligned to reflect the skills and experience needed for the finance roles they hire for

35%

of finance managers say they are prepared to offer a 6-10% increase above the initial salary proposal when negotiating for an average finance and accounting role

55%

of finance managers say they provide (more) flexible work arrangements if they are unable to offer a candidate a salary within their expected range

45%

of finance managers say working from home and/or hybrid working is the benefit that has some of the highest usage among finance and accounting staff

Salary growth driven by market pressure

Finance and accounting salaries have largely remained stable, but certain areas have surged, driven by sustained demand and a limited supply of qualified professionals. Financial controllers, in particular, are seeing notable pay increases as employers compete for experienced talent and address what many view as long-overdue salary adjustments. The scarcity of candidates willing to change roles has further intensified this trend, with businesses offering higher compensation to attract and retain skilled finance professionals in an increasingly competitive market. Guidance from HR/internal salary benchmarks (48%) Company performance/profitability (45%) Recommendation from direct manager (40%) Online salary guides (40%) Industry benchmarking tools (39%) Company performance/profitability (37%) Fixed salary scales (34%)

Contract talent: a critical workforce solution

As project implementation activity gathers momentum, employers are acting quickly to secure top talent before competition intensifies. Investing in experienced contractors who can deliver immediate impact and maintain project continuity will help avoid costly delays and ensure smoother execution. Employers should also review their compensation benchmarks regularly to remain competitive as project volumes continue to rise. AI-generated CVs make it difficult to accurately assess candidate quality (39%) Limited visibility into soft skills or cultural fit (35%) Many candidates lack tailored or role-specific skills (34%) Difficulty assessing long-term potential or commitment (33%)
Finance and accounting candidates are gaining more opportunities in the market and are leveraging them to negotiate higher salaries. of finance and accounting managers say their business has adjusted salaries based on employees’ office attendance in the last two years of finance and accounting managers say their business has adjusted salaries based on employees’ office attendance in the last two years

of finance and accounting managers say proximity to leadership (i.e., being in-office) increases compensation outcomes and career development of finance and accounting managers say proximity to leadership (i.e., being in-office) increases compensation outcomes and career development

In-demand roles, skills, and certifications

Head of Finance Financial Controller Finance Business Partner Finance Manager Financial Accountant Management Accountant Assistant Accountant AP Officer AR Officer Payroll Officer Payroll Manager
Financial Controller FP&A Manager Finance Manager Finance Business Partner Tax Manager Fund Accountant Financial Accountant Management Accountant Financial Analyst Finance Officer AP Officer AR Officer Payroll Officer
Interpretation of accounting standards (IFRS, AASB 15/16/17)  Microsoft Excel (advanced) Business intelligence tools (TM1, Power BI, and Tableau) Financial modelling Transactional accounting experience ERP implementation (D365, NetSuite, SAP S/4HANA, Dayforce, Workday) Finance transformation and automation experience
Communication skills Change management Stakeholder management/business partnering skills Leadership skills Proactive problem-solving skills Emotional intelligence
CA/CPA ACCA/CIMA CTA/CFA

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The salaries listed in Robert Half’s Salary Guide are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on real compensation data from professionals Robert Half has successfully matched with employers across Australia. The salaries listed in the salary tables represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits, or superannuation. We report salaries in three percentiles, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels. The non-salary data presented in this Salary Guide is derived from an online survey conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by Robert Half in October 2025. The survey gathered responses from 500 finance, accounting, IT and technology, and HR hiring managers employed by a diverse range of organisations in Australia, including SMEs and large companies.
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