It’s all about the people.
The accounting and finance job market in Australia is competitive. There is no shortage of qualified candidates, but there is often a shortage of candidates who know how to present themselves effectively, target the right roles, and make a strong impression at every stage of the process. If you want to stand out, you need to be deliberate about it.
Having recruited senior finance professionals across Australia for years, I can tell you that the candidates who get hired fastest are not always the most qualified. They are the ones who are strategic, prepared, and easy to work with. Here is what actually moves the needle.
Your CV is your first impression, and most candidates underestimate how much it matters. It needs to be clear, concise, and tailored to the role you are applying for. In Australia, a standard finance CV runs two to three pages for experienced professionals. Keep it tight, use clean formatting, and make sure your most recent and relevant roles are front and centre.
Quantify your achievements wherever you can. "Managed the month-end close process" is forgettable. "Reduced month-end close from 10 days to 5 days by redesigning the reconciliation process" tells a story and demonstrates real impact. Hiring managers and recruiters in finance are analytical by nature and they respond to numbers.
Avoid generic objective statements and focus instead on a concise professional summary at the top that positions you clearly. If you are applying for a Financial Controller role, your summary should immediately communicate your seniority, industry exposure, and key strengths. Do not make the reader search for the information they need.
Sending the same CV and cover letter to every role is one of the most common mistakes candidates make. Employers notice when an application is generic, and it signals a lack of genuine interest. Take the time to review the job description carefully and align your experience with the specific requirements of each role.
Pay attention to the language the employer uses. If they talk about "business partnering" and "commercial acumen", reflect those terms in your application. Not by stuffing in buzzwords, but by demonstrating that you understand what they are actually looking for and that you have delivered in that area before.
If you are early in your career, the fastest way to improve your employability is to get relevant experience as quickly as possible. Graduate programs offered by the Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY) and mid-tier firms like Grant Thornton and BDO are highly competitive but offer exceptional training and career acceleration. Apply early, polish your applications, and prepare thoroughly.
Internships, vacation work, and part-time roles in accounting functions are all valuable. Even if the role seems junior, the experience demonstrates initiative and gives you real-world examples to draw on in interviews. For those already in the workforce looking to make a move, lateral moves that build breadth of experience across FP&A, treasury, or business partnering can make you significantly more attractive for senior roles.
If you are not already a member of CPA Australia or CA ANZ, this should be a priority. Professional membership is increasingly expected for mid-to-senior finance roles across Australia, and many hiring managers will filter applications based on this criterion alone. Being in the program, even if not yet completed, shows commitment and progression.
Beyond the core accounting certifications, demonstrated proficiency in relevant systems is a significant advantage. Xero and MYOB are dominant in the SME space, while SAP, Oracle, and NetSuite are widely used in larger organisations. If you are lacking exposure to these systems, there are affordable online courses that can give you foundational skills to include on your CV.
A good specialist recruiter does more than match you to open roles. They understand the market, know what employers are actually looking for beyond the job description, and can position you effectively to hiring managers they already have relationships with. Many senior finance roles in Australia are never advertised publicly because they are filled through recruiter networks.
When working with a recruiter, be honest about your experience, your expectations, and what you are looking for. The more clearly you can articulate your career goals, the better positioned they are to match you with roles that actually suit you. A long-term relationship with a specialist finance recruiter is one of the most valuable career assets you can have.
The best time to build your professional network is before you are actively job hunting. Attend industry events run by CPA Australia, CA ANZ, and the Finance & Treasury Association. Engage genuinely on LinkedIn by sharing insights, commenting on relevant posts, and connecting with people you have worked with or admired from a distance.
Networking is not about collecting contacts. It is about building genuine professional relationships over time so that when opportunities arise, you are already on people's radar. The finance community in Australia, particularly at senior levels, is smaller than it looks. Reputation travels.
Getting hired in accounting and finance comes down to being prepared, being visible, and being easy for employers to say yes to. A strong CV, targeted applications, relevant credentials, and the right relationships will put you ahead of the majority of candidates competing for the same roles. Start with what you can control and build from there.
