An independent survey of more than 10,000 chartered accountants, shows that despite the downturn in the economy, they remain one of the highest-paid professional groups.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants says the average income for an accountant in the past year was $139,000.
But chief executive Terry McLaughlin says the economic recession has meant big salary fluctuations, depending on where accountants are and the type of work they do.
Whereas the income of chartered accountants working alone went up by 30%, Mr McLaughlin says those only provisionally qualified dropped by 23%.
Accountants working in Auckland have the highest average income of $151,000 a year.