How to Become an Accountant in Australia

What does a Accountant do?

Accountants prepare financial statements, manage tax lodgements and ATO compliance obligations, produce management accounts and variance reports, advise on financial performance and cost control, maintain the general ledger, and support audit and internal control processes. In public practice, accountants manage BAS, GST, FBT, and income tax for multiple clients; in corporate roles, they support financial controllers, CFOs, and business unit managers with the commercial data they need to make decisions. In Australia, accountants work across small firms, the Big Four, large corporates, government agencies, and not-for-profit organisations. Growing complexity in tax legislation and ATO data-matching is sustaining strong demand for technically proficient practitioners, with CPA or CA membership a valued credential for career advancement.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and review financial statements in accordance with AASB standards
• Manage BAS, GST, FBT, income tax lodgements, and ATO compliance
• Produce management accounts, budgets, and variance reports
• Advise clients or management on financial performance and cost control
• Conduct payroll, superannuation, and accounts payable/receivable
• Maintain general ledger and reconcile accounts
• Support audit, assurance, and internal control processes

Qualifications for this role

Nationally recognised qualifications most commonly held by Accountants in Australia.

Typical career progression

1. 1Accounts Assistant → Accountant
2. 2Accountant → Senior Accountant
3. 3Senior Accountant → Financial Controller
4. 4Financial Controller → CFO

Skills in demand