ANZSCO code
221111 Accountant (General)
Source: ABS: ANZSCO 2022 structure (occupation codes), read 2026-10-06 (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire an Accountant in Australia
To hire an accountant, decide between public practice and commercial duties, check whether tax agent services are involved and confirm the professional membership you expect. CrossNation recruits accountants for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Tax agent services
Providing tax agent services for a fee needs Tax Practitioners Board registration
Source: Tax Practitioners Board (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Professional bodies
CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants ANZ and the Institute of Public Accountants set membership pathways
Source: CPA Australia (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Pay rules
No single award; Clerks – Private Sector Award [MA000002] covers some accounting support roles
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
What should you define for an accountant role?
Say whether the role is in public practice or inside a business, the client or entity mix, the systems used such as Xero, MYOB or an ERP, and the seniority. Describe the deliverables: tax returns, activity statements, financial statements, month end, budgeting or audit support. Note the busy periods, since public practice peaks around the financial year end on 30 June and tax deadlines. Candidates look for the type of work and the development path, so be specific about both.
Which registrations and memberships matter?
There is no licence for an employed accountant. If the work includes tax agent services for a fee, the business needs Tax Practitioners Board registration or the accountant must work under a registered tax agent. Many employers expect membership of or progress towards CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand or the Institute of Public Accountants, especially for senior roles. Decide which you require, ask for the membership number and check it, and record what you sighted.
How do awards and contracts apply?
Some accounting support staff are covered by the Clerks – Private Sector Award [MA000002], while many professional accountants are on individual contracts or are award-free, so check coverage using the Find my award tool. If an award applies, a salary must leave the employee no worse off, including for overtime around deadlines. State what study leave, membership fees and bonus arrangements you offer. We do not publish pay figures here. Contract and interim accountants are engaged on day or hourly rates, so decide the engagement type before briefing a recruiter.
How should you onboard a new accountant?
Set up access to the accounting system, client files and working papers before the first day, and explain your review process and file standards. Introduce the team, the client or business contacts and the calendar of deadlines. Agree how overtime around busy periods is recorded and managed, and how study leave and professional development work. Give early tasks that build confidence, then increase responsibility. Firms and finance teams that plan the first months tend to retain the accountants they recruit.
Before you brief a recruiter: accountant checklist
Checklist
- Define public practice or commercial duties and the systems used
- Note peak periods and overtime expectations
- Decide the membership you require and verify it
- Confirm tax agent registration arrangements where relevant
- Check award coverage with the Find my award tool
- State study leave, membership fee and bonus arrangements
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does an accountant need to be registered?
An employed accountant does not need a licence. Tax agent services for a fee need Tax Practitioners Board registration, so check how your business handles that.
Do I need a CPA or CA for senior roles?
It depends on your clients and standards. Many firms expect membership or progress towards it. State your requirement in the brief.
When is the busiest period for accountants?
Public practice peaks around 30 June and the tax return and BAS deadlines, while commercial teams peak at month end and year end.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit an accountant?
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits accountants for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas accountant through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Skills assessments by the professional bodies and your own approvals are separate steps from finding the person. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
What should I verify before I offer a accountant the job?
Employed accountants do not need a licence. Tax agent services for a fee need Tax Practitioners Board registration, and many accountants work under a registered agent. There is no single modern award for an accountant, so confirm pay with the contract, any enterprise agreement that applies and the Fair Work Pay Calculator before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your accountant, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.