At Tyler Wren, we don’t just look at the numbers in our Accounting Salary Guide each year. We analyse what they mean for the bigger picture: the present market, the next six months, and the year ahead for public practice accounting in New Zealand.
Every edition of our Public Practice Accounting Salary & Benefits Guide highlights not only salaries but also benefits, regional comparisons, and future trends. This year’s guide tells a story of where the profession has been and where it is heading.
💰 Accounting Salaries in 2025/26: What the Guide Shows
Salary trends matter more than ever. The 2025/26 Accounting Salary Guide shows that pay rises are slowing:
- 1 in 5 accountants received no increase.
- Most saw only modest bumps of $1,000 – $5,000.
- 8% received $20k+ increases.
With the rising cost of living, nearly half of professionals report being unhappy with their current pay. Salary is important, but it’s no longer enough to attract and retain top talent. Accountants now look for the total package: Flexibility, growth, annual leave, parental leave, or even parking.
👉 For NZ Public Practice: Firms must go beyond pay. Competitive salaries matter, but meaningful benefits drive loyalty.
🏡 Flexibility in Accounting: From Perk to Deal Breaker
Hybrid work has moved from perk to expectation. The guide shows:
- Working from home one day a week is the minimum.
- Glide time or flexible hours are highly valued.
- Some firms trial 4 or 4.5 day weeks with strong results.
👉 For NZ Public Practice: Firms resisting flexibility risk losing talent. The best strike a balance: in-office collaboration with genuine work-life balance.
🎁 Benefits That Accountants Really Want
This year’s top five benefits were:
- Hybrid work and flexible hours
- Car parks or travel subsidies
- Wellbeing allowances (gym, wellness days, health support)
- Study leave and paid memberships
- Extended parental leave or extra annual leave
👉 For NZ Public Practice: Practical lifestyle benefits matter most. Firms that tailor benefits to real needs stand out.
📈 Career Progression in Accounting: The Missing Piece
Only 7.5% of professionals report structured career development, yet it ranks above bonuses, perks, and leave.
👉 For NZ Public Practice: Clear promotion pathways and mentoring are key to retention. Firms that fail here risk higher turnover.
🌏 Mobility: Accountants on the Move
The 2025/26 guide shows accountants are still highly mobile:
- 42% consider relocating within NZ for lifestyle or affordability.
- 13% plan to move overseas (Australia is the top pick).
- Many are shifting to commercial accounting, with few returning to public practice.
👉 For NZ Public Practice: Retention strategies must include relocation support, OE opportunities, and clear career pathways.
🔑 The Bigger Picture for Public Practice Accounting
The 2025/26 Accounting Salary Guide highlights five key shifts:
- Salaries are plateauing
- Flexibility is standard
- Benefits are practical, not generic
- Career development is lacking
- Talent mobility is high
👉 For Firms: Retention is just as important as recruitment.
👉 For Accountants: Evaluate opportunities on more than pay – growth, flexibility, and culture matter.
🏢 What Firms Should Do Next
- Benchmark salaries regularly and review frameworks.
- Offer at least one hybrid day per week and consider shorter weeks.
- Provide meaningful benefits like parking and wellbeing allowances.
- Invest in structured career development and mentoring.
- Focus on long-term retention, not just quick hires.
👩💼 What Accountants Should Do Next
- Benchmark your pay using the Accounting Salary Guide.
- Ask about mentoring and structured progression.
- Use flexibility as leverage – it’s now the norm.
- Pay attention to benefits like leave, wellbeing, and study support.
- Think long-term about career moves, especially between public practice and commercial.
If you need help to navigate your current or next employment, reach out to a Tyler Wren recruiter. We provide the insights behind the numbers, helping you make smarter career or hiring decisions.
📩 Download the full 2025/26 Public Practice Accounting Salary & Benefits Guide from our website, or reach out for a confidential chat about what this means for you or your firm.
Find out more about Tyler Wren’s Public Practice Recruitment Here (NZ)
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At Tyler Wren, we don’t just look at the numbers in our Accounting Salary Guide each year. We analyse what they mean for the bigger picture: the present market, the next six months, and the year ahead for public practice accounting in New Zealand.
Every edition of our Public Practice Accounting Salary & Benefits Guide highlights not only salaries but also benefits, regional comparisons, and future trends. This year’s guide tells a story of where the profession has been and where it is heading.