The Talent Shortage Is Draining NZ Accounting Firms—Here’s How Remote Teams Are Filling the Gap

If finding and keeping great staff feels harder than ever, you're not imagining things.

A recent report by CA ANZ has confirmed what many accounting firm owners across New Zealand already feel day to day: the industry is facing a critical talent shortage—and it’s only getting worse.

From overworked senior staff to skyrocketing salaries, the pressure is building. But there's good news. A growing number of firms are turning to remote offshore teams not just to survive—but to regain control and grow.

What the Data Is Telling Us

According to the Accounting Talent Index published by Acuity Magazine, CA ANZ members across NZ and Australia reported:

• Shortages across 11 accounting, audit, and finance roles

• 45% of firms say the impact is “severe or very significant”

• 74% are increasing salaries just to stay competitive

• 64% are offering non-financial benefits such as additional leave and flexible working arrangements

• Non-billable hours at partner level are increasing, due to lack of junior support

• 47% of firms now offshore some aspect of their work

One NZ firm owner shared:

“We’ve been trying to recruit for months, but we’re just not getting quality applicants. It’s forced us to reconsider how we build our team.”

Sound familiar?

Why Traditional Hiring Isn’t Enough Anymore

There’s a pipeline problem. Accounting isn’t attracting the next generation like it used to—enrollments are down, and fewer young professionals see it as an exciting career path.

This means:

• Fewer applicants to choose from

• Rising competition for local talent

• Over-reliance on senior staff to do junior-level work

In short, the current system is unsustainable for small-to-mid-sized NZ firms that want to maintain quality, responsiveness, and profitability.

How Remote Teams Bridge the Gap

Hiring remote team members—especially from trusted global markets like the Philippines—is becoming a smart, strategic move for NZ firms.

Here’s what remote teams can help with:

• Bookkeeping & reconciliations – done overnight and ready by morning

• BAS & GST prep – consistent, accurate support to meet IRD deadlines

• Payroll & admin – keeping everything smooth and compliant

• Client follow-ups & data collection – so you’re not chasing receipts at 9pm

Best of all? You’re not just hiring task-doers—you’re building a team that’s trained to work with your systems, your processes, and your culture.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

At Beyond the Ledgers, we help NZ accounting firms build dedicated remote teams that integrate seamlessly into your workflow. There’s no setup fee, no lock-in contracts. Just support from a team that knows your pain points—and has the solution ready.

Curious about how offshore staffing actually works? Here’s why outsourcing to the Philippines is the smartest way to scale your team.