Sydney has long been recognised as one of Australia’s major financial and professional services centres. With its mix of global firms, thriving SMEs, government agencies, and an expanding technology sector, the city offers broad opportunities for qualified accountants at every stage of their careers. From graduate positions in audit and tax to senior commercial finance roles, accounting remains one of the most in-demand skill sets for accountant jobs in Sydney’s market.

If you are actively exploring accountant jobs in Sydney, it is important to understand more than just where to apply. Candidates who succeed are those who know which accounting roles are currently in demand, what employers are prioritising in 2025, and how to present their skills in line with Australian market expectations. 

This guide will take you through the latest job categories, salary and conditions, and application strategies to help you approach your job search with confidence.

The latest accountant jobs in Sydney employers are hiring for

Sydney’s accounting market in 2025 is broad and continues to attract steady demand across entry-level, mid-tier, and senior positions. While the core role titles remain familiar, employer expectations and sector demand are shifting with changes in regulation, technology, and industry growth.

Financial accountants – consolidation, compliance, and reporting

Financial accountants remain in strong demand within Sydney’s listed companies and multinationals. Employers are seeking professionals with proven experience in statutory reporting, month-end and year-end consolidation, and adherence to Australian Accounting Standards. 

Candidates with exposure to complex group structures or ASX reporting frameworks are particularly valued, as these skills are critical for governance and audit readiness.

Management accountants – budgeting, forecasting, and analysis

Management accountants are now viewed less as “back office” and more as strategic partners within businesses. Sydney employers are recruiting candidates who can provide insightful budgeting and forecasting, scenario planning, and variance analysis. 

In industries such as construction and healthcare, management accountants often play a direct role in operational decision-making, meaning commercial acumen is as important as technical accounting knowledge.

Tax accountants – corporate tax, GST, and transfer pricing

With taxation legislation evolving and compliance requirements increasing, tax accountants are a core part of the Sydney employment market. Professional services firms, both large enterprises and small businesses, are hiring for corporate tax specialists, while corporates also need in-house tax expertise to manage GST, FBT, and international tax obligations. 

Skills in transfer pricing, tax governance, and advisory are particularly sought after.

Assistant and graduate accountants – AP/AR, reconciliations, and audit support

At the entry level, employers are recruiting assistant and graduate accountants to support finance functions with accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, and audit preparation. These positions provide valuable exposure to systems and processes, making them an important stepping stone for those pursuing CPA Australia or CA ANZ accreditation. 

With Sydney’s large population of graduates, competition can be high, but opportunities are plentiful across professional services, government, and industry roles.

Senior accountants and business services roles – mid-tier firms, SMEs, and Big 4

Senior accountant positions remain a fixture in the Sydney market, especially within business services teams, in mid-tier accounting firms. SMEs are also looking for accountants who can combine financial control with operational support. 

Employers increasingly prefer candidates who hold a CPA or CA designation, as these credentials signal both technical competence and professional recognition.

What Sydney employers look for in accountants

While job titles differ, the core requirements employers seek from accounting candidates in Sydney are relatively consistent. They can be grouped into technical skills, formal qualifications, and soft skills that allow accountants to add value across an organisation.

Technical stack

Employers expect accountants to be fluent in widely used accounting systems. Proficiency in MYOB and Xero is considered standard, while larger corporates often require experience with SAP, Oracle, or other enterprise-level systems. 

Advanced Excel skills remain critical, particularly in financial modelling, reconciliations, and analysis. Increasingly, familiarity with Power BI or other data visualisation tools is viewed as an advantage.

Credentials

Professional recognition remains a defining factor in the Sydney job market. Holding a CPA Australia or CA ANZ designation provides candidates with a competitive advantage, particularly for senior or specialised roles. For graduates and assistants, demonstrating active progression toward these credentials signals commitment and career development potential.

Accounting is also formally recognised under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), specifically within unit group 2211. This recognition underlines the critical role the profession plays in the Australian economy and its continuing relevance on skilled occupation lists, which may be of interest to candidates considering long-term opportunities in Sydney.

Soft skills

Employers are placing greater emphasis on accountants’ ability to communicate clearly, manage stakeholders, and meet deadlines. 

As businesses expect accountants to play more commercial and advisory roles, interpersonal skills and the ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues are highly valued.

Salary, awards and employment conditions

Salaries for accountants in Sydney vary by seniority, role type, and industry. Graduate and assistant accountants may earn entry-level packages, while senior accountants, financial analysts, and tax specialists in Sydney corporates or firms command higher salaries.

It is also important to be aware of the relevant awards and enterprise agreements. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides detailed pay guides and information on the Professional Employees Award, which covers aspects of pay and conditions for accountants. Candidates should consult these resources to ensure they understand their entitlements.

How to position your application for Sydney accounting roles

Sydney’s competitive market means that even highly skilled accountants need to present applications strategically. Employers expect candidates to demonstrate not only technical competence but also evidence of commercial impact.

Tailor your resume to the job ad

Every job description contains valuable keywords that reflect what the employer is seeking. For accountants, this often includes terms such as BAS preparation, statutory reporting, reconciliations, or variance analysis. Incorporating these terms naturally into your resume helps both recruiters and applicant tracking systems identify your suitability.

Equally important is quantifying achievements. Instead of stating “responsible for monthly reporting”, consider phrasing such as “delivered month-end reporting for a $200m portfolio within three business days, reducing reporting cycle time by 20%”. This approach demonstrates outcomes, not just responsibilities.

Evidence the technical stack

Employers want clear visibility of your systems expertise. Your resume should list the accounting software and enterprise systems you have worked with — for example, MYOB, Xero, SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite.

Advanced Excel and Power BI competencies are highly valued across Sydney. Be specific: Mention pivot tables, complex reconciliations, macros, or dashboard design. Where possible, link these technical skills to measurable efficiencies or reporting improvements in previous roles.

Reference checks and right to work

Many employers will verify references early in the recruitment process, particularly for accounting roles involving compliance or regulatory reporting. Having referees briefed and ready, demonstrates professionalism.

Right-to-work documentation is also essential. Employers need confidence that candidates meet visa or residency requirements. 

Where to find the latest accountant roles in Sydney

Sydney employers advertise accounting jobs through several channels, but job platforms remain the fastest way to access live opportunities. 

On Workinitiatives, candidates can use industry, location, and salary filters to streamline their search. By selecting ‘Accounting’ as the industry and Sydney/NSW as the location you’ll see a regularly refreshed list of openings across graduate, assistant, financial, management, and tax accounting. 

This gives job seekers direct access to positions in sectors ranging from professional services and healthcare to construction and fintech.

The advantage of platforms like Workinitiatives is not just volume but also functionality. Candidates can:

• Easily set-up their profile with one-click auto-fill using a resume upload or LinkedIn URL.
• View recommended jobs in a personal dashboard that have been matched to the candidate’s skills, location and visa status.
• Save listings to review later, which is particularly useful when applying for multiple jobs.
• Track applications through a personal dashboard, reducing the risk of missing deadlines.
• Showcase their skills with optional intro videos to better tell their story.

About Workinitiatives

Workinitiatives is an Australian jobs and skills platform connecting candidates with opportunities across industries, including accounting, construction, healthcare, and government. The platform provides easy one-click auto-fill set up options, application help, optional intro videos to help you stand out and better demonstrate your skills, smart preferences, quick apply functionality, advanced filters, and multi application tracking. 

Start your search today and explore accounting jobs in Sydney with Workinitiatives. Contact us or sign up and create your profile to find your dream job.