Role Snapshot

ANZSCO Code: 221111 — Chartered Accountant
Role Variants: Chartered Accountant (CA), Audit Manager, Tax Specialist, Financial Controller, CFO, Management Accountant, Business Advisory Partner, Forensic Accountant
Parent Category: NZ Education & Training Roles
Skill Level: 1
Green List: Not on the NZ Green List — standard skilled migrant pathways apply
National Occupation List (NOL): May be eligible for AEWV depending on employer accreditation — confirm with an immigration adviser

🇦🇺Also available for AustraliaChartered Accountant Roles in AustraliaCPA Australia or CA ANZ · CSOL eligible→

Chartered Accountants are in consistent demand across New Zealand’s professional services firms, commercial businesses, and public sector organisations. The professional body is Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Overseas-qualified accountants with CPA, ACCA, ICAEW, or equivalent membership can often fast-track CA ANZ membership via mutual recognition agreements. NZ’s small and mid-market business sector creates strong demand for commercially focused accountants alongside the Big Four and mid-tier accounting firms.

• External audit of financial statements for listed companies, SMEs, and not-for-profits
• Tax advisory and compliance: income tax, GST, FBT, international tax for NZ and multinational clients
• Financial reporting and management accounting in commercial organisations
• Business advisory: financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning
• CFO and financial controller roles in mid-to-large businesses
• Forensic accounting, due diligence, and transaction support

Typical employers: Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY); mid-tier firms (BDO, Grant Thornton, Baker Tilly Staples Rodway); commercial businesses of all sizes; local and central government; not-for-profit organisations; specialist boutique advisory firms.

Salary Benchmark

Typical Range: $75,000 – $200,000+ NZD per year, depending on experience, employer, and region.

• Entry level / early career: $75,000–$95,000
• Mid-career (4–9 years): $97,000–$135,000
• Experienced / senior: $140,000–$200,000+ (partner / CFO / financial controller)

Source: SEEK — Chartered Accountant Salary NZ | Data reviewed May 2026

Cost of living: Purchasing power varies significantly by region. For an independent comparison, see Numbeo — New Zealand. TEFI provides clients with a detailed financial planning workbook to model living costs by city and lifestyle during the migration process — ask Tate for a copy.

Where Demand Is Strongest

Accounting demand is strongest in Auckland and Wellington, with consistent commercial opportunities across the country:

• Auckland — Largest professional services market; Big Four and mid-tier firms; commercial and financial services sector
• Wellington — Public sector and government accounting; policy-facing CFO and controller roles; mid-tier firm offices
• Christchurch — Commercial and primary sector accounting; growing rebuild-related advisory work; more affordable living than Auckland
• Hamilton / Tauranga — Growing commercial accounting market; regional SME advisory and owner-managed business focus

Licensing & Professional Registration

CA ANZ membership: Chartered Accountant status in New Zealand is granted by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).

Pathways for overseas-qualified accountants:

• ACCA (UK/Ireland): Mutual recognition agreement with CA ANZ — ACCA members can apply for CA ANZ membership with reduced requirements
• ICAEW (England and Wales): Similar mutual recognition pathway
• CPA Australia: Direct pathway for CPA members
• ICAI (India), SAICA (South Africa), HKICPA, and others: Contact CA ANZ to confirm assessment pathway — agreements vary

Many NZ employers — particularly Big Four and mid-tier firms — accept overseas CA qualifications alongside in-progress CA ANZ membership. Some will sponsor the CA ANZ programme as part of your employment package.

Immigration Pathway

Licensing required to work: See Licensing section above. ANZSCO 221111 is on the National Occupation List (NOL), making it eligible for the AEWV.

Visa options:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — requires a job offer from an INZ-accredited employer. NOL status means the role passes the job check automatically.
  
  Immigration New Zealand — Work Visas
• Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa — points-based pathway to permanent residence.
  
  Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Visa note: Chartered Accountant is not on the NZ Green List. However, the ANZSCO 221111 code is well-recognised for AEWV purposes with an accredited employer. Employers in Big Four and mid-tier firms are generally experienced with migrant visa processes. Confirm your visa pathway with an immigration adviser.

For most of our clients, the job offer sets into motion a clear migration process touching upon immigration compliance, timing, city selection, quality of life, and professional opportunities — the offer is the trigger for all of it.

Important: TEFI does not provide immigration advice. Visa eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, qualifications, and current INZ policy. We recommend working with a licensed New Zealand immigration adviser for guidance specific to your situation. We refer clients to New Zealand Shores — contact Fabien Maisonneuve directly at Fabien@newzealandshores.com and mention Tate sent you.

Migrant Readiness Signals

NZ employers look for chartered accountant candidates who demonstrate:

• Confirm your CA ANZ mutual recognition pathway: Contact CA ANZ before starting your job search to confirm your home qualification’s recognition status. This affects how you present yourself to employers
• NZ tax system basics: NZ GST (15%), income tax, FBT, and the imputation credit system differ from many overseas systems. Showing awareness of NZ-specific tax concepts helps in interviews, even if you are transitioning from advisory or audit
• SME and owner-managed business experience is valuable: NZ has a large small business sector. Commercial accountants with experience advising owner-managed businesses are in strong demand outside the Big Four
• Big Four vs mid-tier vs commercial: If you have Big Four experience, NZ Big Four offices recruit globally. Mid-tier firms (BDO, Grant Thornton, Baker Tilly) offer faster career progression. In-house CFO and controller roles in commercial companies command premium salaries
• Networking through CA ANZ events: CA ANZ New Zealand hosts events and has active regional chapters. Attending events (even virtually before you arrive) builds local connections and is genuinely valued by the accounting community

Where to Find Roles

• SEEK NZ — search: “Chartered Accountant NZ” or “CA ANZ”
• CA ANZ — professional body — membership pathways and career resources
• TradeMe Jobs — search: “Accountant New Zealand”
• Robert Walters NZ — specialist finance and accounting recruiter with NZ market expertise

A note on cold applications: In New Zealand, many roles are filled through referral, recruiter relationships, or candidates already known to the employer — a cold application rarely lands. To be the exception, you need an exceptional profile and direct employer contact. If you are not sure how your background will read to a NZ employer, upload your CV for no-cost, practical feedback on how your background reads to NZ employers — Tate typically responds within one business day.