The total median remuneration for members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand rose 11 percent this year. Photo: 123RF
Accountants' benefits are improving and their pay is rising at a faster rate than inflation, driven up by an industry skills shortage.
A survey of members by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand indicated total median remuneration for New Zealand members rose 11 percent to nearly $136,000 this year, compared with last year's rise of just 4.5 percent.
The survey also suggested efforts to close the gender pay gap had made some progress.
"Last year, our survey showed a significant gender pay gap between women and men in our profession which prompted us to step-up our advocacy efforts for workforce participation," Chartered Accountants New Zealand chief executive Ainslie van Onselen said.
The gap had decreased to 30 percent from 34 percent last year.
There had also been an increase in the number of male members taking parental leave, with workplace flexibility, quality of leadership and corporate culture gaining in importance.
"Not everything is about money - getting non-remuneration factors right can be the difference between keeping a star employee and having them walk away," van Onselen said.