Financial Accountant
What's it like to be a Financial Accountant?
Financial Accountants manage, check and report on the finances of businesses, sole traders and individuals. They may work within a company or for themselves, as small business owners. Financial Accountants need to have a good eye for detail and up-to-date knowledge of relevant laws and regulations. They also need to be able to use a variety of accounting software. While Financial Accountants usually work regular business hours, they often need to put in extra hours at certain times of the financial year, such as before and after taxes are due.
Tasks and duties
- Preparing monthly profit and loss statements and balance sheet reports.
- Preparing cash flow statements and controlling expenditures.
- Collecting and analysing data used in the preparation of regular estimates.
- Assisting with end-of-financial-year accounts and completing tax returns.
How to become a Financial Accountant
Financial Accountants usually have a bachelor degree in accounting.
Complete a three-year Bachelor of Accounting degree at a university, or a degree in business, economics or a similar subject with a major in accounting.
Gain on-the-job experience in a junior Financial Accounting role.
Become a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ) to improve your credibility and job prospects. You’ll need to have completed a degree, gained three years of work experience, and pass English-language competency requirements to be eligible for membership.
Consider joining the Accountants or Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand (ATAINZ), another professional body that increases credibility, especially for Financial Accountants looking to develop expertise in tax.
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