2025 New Zealand Accounting and Finance Salary Guide

We understand the challenges of the finance and accounting landscape in New Zealand. Finding high-quality skilled professionals remains a significant hurdle, keeping costs down is a constant concern and technology seems to be advancing faster than the speed of light.

That’s why we have curated the 2025 Robert Half Finance and Accounting Salary Guide to provide you with the expertise and confidence to make the right employment decisions. Whether you're a hiring manager looking to attract top accounting talent or a finance jobseeker hoping to find your next role, this guide provides valuable insights and New Zealand salary benchmarks based on Robert Half’s placement data to help the decision-making process.

Finance and accounting market update

Professionals in controlling, financial management and accounting operations are most in demand in New Zealand, with skills in ERP system experience, commercial acumen and business intelligence tools of great interest to employers. With finance talent shortages across the board, manufacturing, wholesale trades, financial services and real estate are among the sectors with the highest hiring intentions.

The New Zealand hiring paradox

The current New Zealand hiring landscape presents a large pool of available finance candidates compared to recent years, yet a scarcity of high-quality expertise remains. While the volume of applicants may seem promising, businesses are finding it challenging to identify those who possess the skills and experience to excel in today's demanding business environment. Employers need to be aware that stellar candidates are hard to come by. Hiring contractors to provide specialised expertise is a strategic way to find immediate talent.

Business reorganisation calls for specialised expertise to plug gaps

The number of available roles has decreased compared to the hiring frenzy of recent years. With businesses mostly hiring to replace vacated roles rather than to expand teams, the stabilisation of the market has resulted in a more cautious approach to recruitment. Organisations, however, are actively reorganising their workforces to adapt to the new operating environment, with a focus on optimising existing teams and strategically filling critical skill gaps in financial analysis and business partnering.

While salaries have generally stabilised, finance leaders are demonstrating a willingness to invest in their top talent. Individuals with a proven track record of success and a demonstrated ability to drive results can command higher salaries. The demand for high performers is evident across all levels, from entry-level positions to senior management roles. Companies are acutely aware of the value that exceptional employees bring to their organisations and are prepared to compensate them accordingly.

of finance workers expect a pay rise based on consistently exceeding performance goals of finance workers expect a pay rise based on consistently exceeding performance goals

of finance workers say it has become more challenging to negotiate a pay rise compared to 2024 of finance workers say it has become more challenging to negotiate a pay rise compared to 2024

The majority of Kiwi finance and accounting workers are expected to be back in the office full-time. Employers, however, have introduced a more robust flexible working arrangement, allowing ad hoc amended start and finish times. Providing this level of autonomy enhances motivation, retention and is a strategic offer when hybrid work is no longer viable.

of finance workers say their employer has increased flexible work hours compared to the previous year of finance workers say their employer has increased flexible work hours compared to the previous year

of finance workers say flexible work hours have significantly improved their desire to stay with their employer of finance workers say flexible work hours have significantly improved their desire to stay with their employer

In-demand permanent jobs in finance and accounting

Head of Finance

Financial Controller

Finance Business Partner

Financial/Management Accountant

Accounts Payable Officer

Accounts Assistant

In-demand contract jobs in finance and accounting

Financial Accountant

Finance Manager/Controller

FP&A Analyst

Assistant Accountant

Accounts Payable Officer

In-demand technical skills in finance and accounting

Commercial acumen

ERP system experience

Business Intelligence tools (TM1, Power BI and Tableau)

Predictive analysis

Microsoft Excel

Financial and technical reporting

How much should I earn or pay?

In-demand soft skills in finance and accounting

Business partnering skills

Adaptability

Autonomy and initiative

Critical-thinking skills

Top industries hiring for finance and accounting talent

Manufacturing

Transport and wholesale

Wholesales trades

Real estate

Financial services

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The salaries listed in the Salary Guide from Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across New Zealand.

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 November 2024. The survey gathered responses from 500 finance, accounting, and IT and technology professionals employed by a diverse range of organisations in New Zealand, including SMEs and large private, publicly-listed and public sector companies.