19 June 2024
AUSTRALIA NEEDS MORE ACCOUNTANTS AND AUDITORS
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) has found ongoing shortages across 11 accounting, audit and finance-related occupations in Australia and wants them urgently added to the Final Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
“CA ANZ is calling for eleven occupations to be urgently added to the Final Core Skills Occupation List to address the ongoing shortages in accounting, audit and finance professionals across Australia which are not being filled by domestic candidates,” CA ANZ CEO Ainslie van Onselen said.
“Australian businesses are under a lot of pressure at the moment, with insolvencies continuing to rise. They need access to the expertise of accountants and auditors, not just now, but well into the future. That’s why we’ve lodged a detailed and practical submission on the draft CSOL with Jobs and Skills Australia.”
The submission, lodged jointly with CPA Australia, highlights 11 occupations not being filled by domestic candidates, international students, recent migrants, or those on skilled visas.
“While there’s been lively debate about why yoga instructors, martial artists and dog handlers are among the occupations the government is ‘confident should be on the list’, it’s time to get serious.
“Failure to include auditors and accountants on the final list won’t help organisations meet their mandatory legislative and regulatory audit requirements. This will be particularly important when new climate reporting and assurance requirements take effect next year,” said Ms van Onselen.
CA ANZ/CPA recommend that Jobs and Skills Australia include the following occupations on the final Core Skills Occupation List:
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Taxation Accountant
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Accountant (General)
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Management Accountant
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External Auditor
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Internal Auditor
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Finance Manager
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Financial Investment Adviser
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Financial Investment Manager
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Management Consultant
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ICT Security Specialist
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ICT Business Analyst
CA ANZ conducted a survey of 449 Australian members between 10 January and 15 February 2024 on occupation shortages and recruitment challenges experienced during 2023 to help inform our joint submission on the 2024 Skills Priority List stakeholder survey.
The survey found vacancy fill rates were below 67 per cent for the occupations of Taxation Accountant, External Auditor, Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Internal Auditor and Finance Manager.
CA ANZ also recently surveyed the Australian Public Policy Committee* member firms and found that in aggregate, the firms have a significant number of vacant roles Australia-wide for the External Auditor (310), Taxation Accountant (219), Accountant (General) (179), Management consultant (108), Management Accountant (72), and Internal Auditor (67).
“CA ANZ looks forward to continuing to work with Jobs and Skills Australia, as well as the government, to ensure the nation’s skills needs are adequately met,” said Ms van Onselen.
(The full submission is attached)
ENDS
About Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represents more than 135,000 financial professionals, supporting them to make a difference to the businesses, organisations and communities in which they work and live. Chartered Accountants are known as Difference Makers. The depth and breadth of their expertise helps them to see the big picture and chart the best course of action.
*The Australian Public Policy Committee comprises the six largest professional services firms in Australia, as well as CA ANZ and CPA Australia. It is focused on promoting public policy outcomes in respect of audit, accounting and related regulated services.
For more information contact:
Gillian Bowen, Public Affairs Manager Australia
M +61 411 485 421
