Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) has welcomed the inclusion of tax accountants and auditors on Australia's Occupation Shortage List released this week, but noted some critical gaps in the list.
After months of sustained advocacy on the issue, CA ANZ was pleased to see this recognition and looks forward to the subsequent training funding and policy decisions to address the talent shortfall.
CA ANZ Group Executive Advocacy Simon Grant FCA said it's time for a swift Government response to address this critical shortage.
"Accountants and auditors have suffered a prolonged skills shortage in Australia for many years now," Mr Grant said.
"While we are pleased to see tax accountants and auditors included on the List, we are disappointed to see some critical accounting occupations missing, including management accountants and general accountants.
"We have multiple member surveys which demonstrate that these occupations are also experiencing a skills shortage.
"We surveyed nearly 450 members in January and February this year, and more than 80 per cent of respondents said their vacancy fill rates were below 67 per cent.
"We also surveyed Australia's six largest professional services firms in May this year, and found hundreds of vacant roles for external auditors, general accountants and management accountants."
Mr Grant was pleased to see recognition of the shortages of management accountants in Western Australia, and general accountants in Western Australia and Northern Territory, which is consistent with CA ANZ's survey findings and advocacy for members facing shortages in these states.
"CA ANZ will continue to advocate for its members to ensure the skills shortage does not have an adverse effect on the profession and Australia's economy," Mr Grant said.
"We look forward to continuing to work with Jobs and Skills Australia to ensure we have a strong accounting, audit and finance skills base to support our nation's economic sustainability."
To read CA ANZ's joint submission to Jobs and Skills Australia on the Occupation Shortage List, visit www.charteredaccountantsanz.com
