Finance and accounting salary trends

2026 Salary Guide

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We understand the finance and accounting landscape in New Zealand is evolving quickly, placing growing demands on business leaders to stay ahead. Businesses are balancing lean operations with the growing need to invest in talent and technology. AI is beginning to reshape the function, and leaders are seeking curiosity and adaptability as much as direct experience in this area. Amid these changes, the focus is on building resilient, future-ready teams without losing sight of budget realities.

That’s why we have curated the 2026 Accounting and Finance Salary Guide to provide you with the expertise and confidence to make the right employment decisions. This guide offers essential insights and up-to-date New Zealand salary benchmarks, drawn from Robert Half’s placement data, to help hiring managers attract top accounting talent and enable finance professionals to make informed career decisions in a fast-changing market.

Hiring managers: Get customised salary data and insights from a Robert Half talent solutions professional.

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Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, company size and demand for the role.

Accounting

Financial / Business Analysis

Financial Management

Credit Management

Internal Audit

Payroll

Tax

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Accounts Assistant

75000

80000

85000

Assistant Accountant

85000

90000

95000

Accountant

100000

115000

125000

Company Accountant

110000

120000

135000

Group Accountant

130000

155000

180000

Accounts Payable Officer

65000

75000

85000

Accounts Payable Manager

95000

120000

140000

Accounts Receivable Officer

65000

75000

85000

Accounts Receivable Manager

95000

120000

140000

Financial Accountant

105000

115000

130000

Senior Financial Accountant

120000

130000

140000

Corporate Accountant

130000

145000

160000

Cost Accountant

115000

140000

160000

Management Accountant

120000

140000

160000

Senior Management Accountant

140000

155000

170000

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 KiwiSaver.

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2026 finance and accounting compensation trends

Key insights at a glance

92%

of finance leaders say including salary information on job ads improves the quality of applications they receive

38%

of finance leaders say years of experience of a candidate affects their willingness to increase a salary offer during negotiations

42%

of finance leaders say the average percentage increase they are prepared to offer above the initial salary proposal during negotiations for an average role is between 11% and 15%

53%

of finance leaders say the last cycle of bonuses were higher than previous years

Wage pressure builds during retention battle

Salary growth has been modest, with average annual increases of around 2–3%. However, rising competition for skilled professionals, particularly those in the mid-tier segment of the market, has begun to exert upward pressure on wages.

Counteroffers have become more common, as employers move quickly to retain valued staff. While most workers have not seen meaningful pay rises or bonuses in recent years, companies have a renewed willingness to invest in top talent.

92% say they have extended a counteroffer to a worker who received an external job offer in the last 12 months. 46% who did say the worker is still with them, while 34% say the worker has since left

30% say counteroffers are a short-term fix that rarely solves deeper issues

Rebuilding for impact

After a prolonged period of operating lean, some companies have started to cautiously rebuild and strengthen their teams again. While restructuring continues in some areas, new hires are emerging in roles designed to add strategic value rather than simply replace headcount.

These new positions often focus on improving efficiency, leveraging automation, and deepening financial analysis to drive stronger business impact.

4% say less than 5%

38% say between 5-10%

42% say between 11-15%

16% say more than 15%

Teams are looking to hire people, both on a permanent and contract basis, who have a curious and inquisitive mindset in relation to AI and automation.

of finance leaders say high market demand and competition is the biggest challenge in compensating AI-proficient candidates of finance leaders say high market demand and competition is the biggest challenge in compensating AI-proficient candidates

of finance leaders anticipate AI proficiency will continue to drive salary growth in their organisation over the next 1–2 years of finance leaders anticipate AI proficiency will continue to drive salary growth in their organisation over the next 1–2 years

In-demand roles and skills

Head of Finance

Financial Controller

Finance Business Partner

Financial Accountant

Management Accountant

Accounts Payable Officer

Accounts Payable Officer

Commercial acumen

ERP system experience

Business intelligence tools (TM1, Power BI, and Tableau)

Predictive analysis

Microsoft Excel

Financial and technical reporting

Automation experience

Business partnering and stakeholder management skills

Adaptability

Autonomy and initiative

Critical-thinking skills

Forward-thinking

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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 in Auckland.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or KiwiSaver. 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 250 finance, accounting, and IT and technology hiring managers employed by a diverse range of organisations in New Zealand, including SMEs and large private, publicly-listed, and public sector companies.