Assistant Accountant Jobs in Australia – 2024 Career Guide

Learn what assistant accountant jobs in Australia involve in 2024. Explore real duties, salaries, tools, and how to stand out in a growing job market.

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Assistant Accountant Jobs in Australia – What Do They Actually Do?

If you're thinking about applying for assistant accountant jobs in Australia, you might be wondering what the role actually involves. Is it just data entry? Do you need a degree? How much experience do you need to get started?

Here’s a practical guide to what these jobs look like in 2024 — including responsibilities, salary expectations, and how to land one.

🔹 What Is an Assistant Accountant?

An assistant accountant supports a business or accounting team with day-to-day finance tasks. You’ll often report to a senior accountant or financial controller.

This role sits between bookkeeping and fully qualified accounting, making it a strong step up if you already work in accounts or admin and want to grow into the accounting field.

🔸 Key Duties of an Assistant Accountant

While each business may define the role slightly differently, most assistant accountant roles in Australia include:

Reconciling accounts (bank, credit card, intercompany)
Assisting with month-end reporting and journal entries
Supporting budgeting and forecasting tasks
Processing payroll or managing payroll journals
Maintaining asset registers
Preparing BAS or GST summaries
Assisting with external audits
Working with MYOB, Xero, QuickBooks, or Excel-based systems

In small businesses, the assistant accountant may also take care of day-to-day accounts payable/receivable, especially if there’s no separate bookkeeper.

🔹 Skills and Experience Employers Want

Here’s what most Australian employers look for when hiring assistant accountants:

Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Commerce, or Business
1–3 years’ experience in bookkeeping, payroll, or finance admin
Solid Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, formatting)
Familiarity with Xero, MYOB, or SAP
Understanding of GST and basic tax compliance
Clear, concise communication skills

Bonus: If you're studying towards a CPA or CA qualification, that often makes you a more attractive candidate — even for junior roles.

🔸 What Salary Can You Expect?

As of 2024, here’s what you can generally expect:

Entry-level or small business: $55k–$65k
Corporate or mid-tier: $65k–$80k
Assistant Accountant (with 3+ years or CPA studies): $80k–$90k+

These roles are found in nearly every industry — retail, construction, professional services, medical clinics, and even not-for-profits.

🔹 Where Are These Jobs Listed?

You’ll find assistant accountant roles on:

Seek (search by salary or industry if you have a niche preference)
LinkedIn Jobs (great for entry and intermediate levels)
Indeed
Industry-specific recruiters like Robert Half, Hays, or Sharp & Carter
Company websites — especially for growing start-ups or firms

🔸 How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market

To improve your chances:

Customise your resume for each role — highlight Xero or MYOB experience where relevant
Keep your LinkedIn profile updated with clear summaries and bullet points
Mention any software migrations, process improvements, or audit support you’ve provided
Include your study status (e.g. “currently studying CPA – 1 unit remaining”)

Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, strong organisation skills and a willingness to learn often go a long way in junior accounting roles.

Whether you’re transitioning from bookkeeping or stepping into your first finance role after uni, assistant accountant jobs in Australia offer real growth potential and a clear career path. If you’re also running a side business or need expert bookkeeping help while you work — reach out to Justwise Accounting for support that works around your schedule.