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How to Become a Public Accountant: Australian Careers in Accounting and Bookkeeping

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What is a Public Accountant?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Public Accountant?

A public accountant helps individuals, businesses, and government bodies manage their finances. They handle auditing, tax preparation, and financial consulting. Most work with a range of clients across different industries, making the role both varied and engaging.

Day to day, public accountants prepare financial statements and examine financial records. They check that figures are accurate and that reports comply with legal requirements. They also assist clients with budgeting, advise on tax strategies, and conduct audits to assess financial health.

Tax work is a major part of the role. Public accountants file tax returns for individuals and organisations. They advise clients on how to structure their finances to reduce tax liability. They also liaise with the Australian Taxation Office on behalf of clients.

As accountants gain experience, many choose to specialise. Common areas include taxation, auditing, and forensic accounting. Some go on to lead their own practices. The profession offers strong job stability and clear paths for career growth. Those looking to get started can find accounting courses on CourseFinder.

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Career snapshots For Public Accountants

Public accountants are in strong and steady demand across Australia. Around 215,500 accountants work nationally (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). The median full-time wage is $2,003 per week, and 84% of accountants work full-time hours. Average weekly hours are 43, close to the all-occupations average.

The median age of Australian accountants is 42 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Women make up 54% of the workforce, reflecting strong gender diversity. Annual employment growth runs at around 5,800 new positions per year. YourCareer classifies future demand as “Strong”, signalling good long-term prospects for graduates and career changers alike.

What will I do?

Public accountants are central to the financial health of their clients. They offer auditing, tax help, and financial advice to many types of clients. Their work keeps businesses and individuals informed, compliant, and in good financial shape.

  • Assisting with budgetary and accounting policies: helping organisations build effective financial strategies.
  • Preparing financial statements: creating reports for boards, management, shareholders, and regulatory bodies.
  • Conducting financial investigations: performing audits and preparing reports on fraud, insolvency, and mergers.
  • Examining operating costs: analysing income and expenditure to find savings and inefficiencies.
  • Providing assurance on financial reports: confirming accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Advising on financial and taxation matters: guiding clients on business structures, plans, and operations.
  • Preparing tax returns: filing returns for individuals and organisations accurately and on time.
  • Liaising with financial institutions: working with banks and brokers to set up funds management.
  • Introducing accounting systems: advising on and setting up computer-based accounting software.
  • Maintaining internal controls: ensuring organisations have systems that protect assets and ensure accurate reporting.
  • Appraising cash flow and financial risk: evaluating the viability of capital investment projects.

What skills do I need?

Public accountants need a mix of technical and people skills to do their job well. Strong analytical ability is essential, as they work with complex financial data every day. They must also be precise, since errors in financial reports can have serious legal and financial consequences.

Good communication matters just as much as numerical skill. Public accountants explain financial concepts to clients who may have little accounting background. Clear writing and confident speaking help build trust and strong client relationships. Staying current with tax law, software, and regulatory changes is key to long-term success.

Skills/attributes

  • Strong analytical and numerical skills
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Proficiency in accounting software
  • Understanding of Australian tax laws and regulations
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Ethical judgment and professional integrity
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Time management and self-organisation
  • Adaptability to regulatory and technology changes
  • Client relationship management
  • Financial reporting and analysis
  • Knowledge of auditing processes
  • Ability to interpret and apply financial data

CourseFinder makes every effort to ensure the information we provide is correct at the time of publication. We welcome your input to help keep our career profiles as accurate and up to date as possible. All queries and feedback will be taken into consideration as we conduct periodic reviews of our content. Add your voice to the conversation!

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.