How to become a Management Accountant

Also called: Cost Accountant

Provides services relating to performance-based financial reporting, asset valuation, budgetary systems, cost management, pricing, forecasting and the strategic governance of organisations. Provides advice on financial planning and risk management, and provides management with reports to assist in decision-making. Establishes continuous reporting and feedback mechanisms by using data source management, analysis and visualisation. May provide insight into cost performance and support the implementation of benchmarking and quality improvement initiatives.

Main tasks

• Prepares financial statements and reports for presentation to boards of directors, governing and statutory bodies, management and shareholders
• Analyses financial and non-financial data to inform business strategies and monitor risk
• Provides assurance about the accuracy contained in financial reports and their compliance with statutory requirements

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Business (BSB50120); Advanced Diploma of Accounting (FNS60222); Diploma of Accounting (FNS50222)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $104,156 a year
• About 210,300 people work in this job group now, and about 245,300 are projected by 2035. (+16.6%)
• Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Related jobs

• Accountant (General)
• Corporate Treasurer
• Forensic Accountant
• Taxation Accountant

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Management Accountant?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Diploma of Business; Advanced Diploma of Accounting.

How much does a Management Accountant earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $104,156 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Management Accountant a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2035, from about 210,300 to about 245,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Management Accountant?

Usually. 90% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Management Accountant?

Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04