Q: What accounting and finance roles are most in demand in 2026?
A: We’re seeing strong, steady demand for financial accountants, assistant accountants, payroll specialists and credit professionals, plus continued growth in commercial and FP&A roles. There’s also a clear appetite for finance business partners and analysts who can work closely with operations and the wider business, not just stay in the back office.

Q: How has AI and automation actually changed day‑to‑day jobs in accounting and finance?
A: Automation has taken a lot of the repetitive processing out of roles like AP, AR and reconciliations, but it hasn’t taken away the need for good finance people. What it’s done is shift the expectation: you’re now valued less for keying data and more for how you interpret numbers, spot trends, and advise the business. Candidates who embrace new tools and can talk about how technology improved accuracy, speed or insight stand out very quickly.

Q: What skills make candidates stand out for mid‑level accounting and finance roles right now?
A: At the mid‑level, technical competence is assumed, so the differentiators are commercial thinking, communication and systems confidence. Employers want people who understand the “why” behind the numbers, can explain variances to non‑finance stakeholders, and are comfortable working inside modern ERP, reporting and BI tools. Having one or two strong examples of where you improved a process, tightened controls or helped a manager make a better decision is incredibly powerful!

Q: I’m in an AP/AR or junior accounting role – how can I move into more analytical or commercial positions?
A: The best way to pivot is to start getting closer to the month‑end, budgeting or forecasting cycle in your current business. Put your hand up to help with analysis, commentary or simple modelling, and ask to sit in on meetings where finance presents to management. Over time, that exposure plus some targeted upskilling in Excel, reporting tools and basic analysis makes it much easier to step into assistant accountant, analyst or junior business partner roles.

Q: Are employers open to flexible or hybrid work in accounting and finance, or is it mostly office‑based?
A: Finance was one of the earlier adopters of hybrid work, and many employers are holding onto that flexibility, especially for qualified and experienced staff. That said, there’s still a clear preference for some in‑office time for collaboration, mentoring and stakeholder engagement, particularly in leadership or business partnering roles. If flexibility matters to you, it’s important to be upfront but also to show how you stay visible, responsive and plugged into the team when working remotely.

Q: What pay ranges can candidates realistically expect for typical roles (e.g. assistant accountant, financial accountant, finance analyst) in 2026?
A: It always varies by industry, size and location, but as a general guide in Sydney in 2026, assistant accountants and strong transactional specialists are often sitting in the mid‑60s to high‑70s base. Financial accountants and management accountants can move into the 80s and 90s, with senior analysts, finance business partners and finance managers moving beyond that. At the senior end, commercial managers and heads of finance can reach well into the six figures, especially where they’re close to strategy and decision‑making. (On your page you can add a short note that bands depend on industry, size, and whether the role is SME vs larger corporate.)

Q: Do I need formal qualifications (e.g. CA/CPA or a degree) to progress, or is experience enough?
A: A solid degree is almost non‑negotiable for most qualified roles, and CA/CPA or equivalent still opens doors and supports higher earning potential over time. But experience and attitude matter just as much: plenty of people have progressed because they’ve taken on stretch work, built strong stakeholder relationships and delivered consistently. My advice is to get a foundational qualification in place, then add further study that aligns with a specific career step you’re aiming for.

Q: How important is experience with specific systems (ERP, BI, Excel) when hiring?
A: Employers are absolutely asking about systems, but what they really want to know is whether you can learn quickly and use tools to add value, not just tick off brand names. Strong Excel skills, comfort with at least one modern ERP, and some exposure to reporting or BI tools are becoming standard expectations. In interviews, talk about how you’ve used systems to streamline processes, improve reporting or reduce errors, rather than just listing “SAP” or “NetSuite” on your CV.

Q: What are the biggest mistakes candidates make when applying for accounting and finance roles?
A: The first is under‑selling their impact, CVs that read like job descriptions rather than achievements don’t cut through in a busy market. The second is not tailoring their applications: sending the same generic CV and cover letter to a hands‑on financial accounting role and a heavily commercial role misses the mark. And finally, some candidates focus only on technical skills and forget that modern finance is collaborative, we’re always asked about communication, stakeholder management and cultural fit.

Q: If I’m new to accounting and finance, what’s the best entry point in 2026?
A: Common entry points include junior accounts roles (AP, AR, billings), graduate accounting positions, and finance admin roles that sit close to the numbers. Once you’ve proven you’re reliable, accurate and eager to learn, you can move fairly quickly into broader assistant accountant or analyst‑style roles. If you’re serious about building a career in finance, focus on your fundamentals, attention to detail, Excel, willingness to learn, and look for environments where you’ll get exposure to more than one part of the finance function.