As your business grows, your financial needs become more complex. Managing payroll, BAS, and reconciliations is just the beginning—you need someone who can provide insight, spot risks, and help guide smarter decisions. That’s where hiring the right internal accountant can make a real difference.
But what does the “right” hire look like? And how do you find someone who fits your business, not just the job description? At Godfrey Group, we can help you find the right accountant for your team and make the hiring process simpler, smarter, and more successful from day one.
Why Businesses Are Looking for Internal Accountants
Internal accountants are increasingly seen as critical to operational success, not just for staying compliant, but for improving how businesses function day to day. Whether it’s better budgeting, more accurate cash flow forecasting, or financial insights that inform leadership decisions, an internal accountant helps you stay on top of the numbers and plan with confidence.
In fact, demand for accounting and finance professionals is forecast to grow at the same time as supply is shrinking. According to Chartered Accountants ANZ, vacancy fill rates for general accountants, management accountants, and internal auditors are sitting below 67% across Australia. That gap reflects just how valuable the role has become, and how competitive the market is for strong candidates.
How Do You Hire the Right Internal Accountant?
It starts with getting clear on what your business needs right now. What are you trying to achieve? For example, are you struggling with cash flow? Do you need someone to help prepare for an audit or funding round? Or are you simply at a stage where you want more proactive insight into your numbers?
Once you define what success looks like, you can start to shape the role: full-time or part-time, hands-on or strategic, technical or commercial. Having this clarity helps narrow the field and ensures you only meet candidates who are truly aligned with your goals.
What to Look for in a Strong Internal Accountant
Of course, technical skills matter. You want someone with the right qualifications, like a CPA or CA designation, and experience in reporting, reconciliations, and compliance. But in our experience at Godfrey Group, what really sets someone apart is their ability to think commercially and communicate clearly.
We can help you source candidates who can:
- Turn complex financial reports into clear, actionable advice
- Understand your business model and key cost drivers
- Flag issues early and help solve them collaboratively
- Partner with stakeholders across the business, not just the finance team
It’s that combination of insight and influence that makes an internal accountant an indispensable asset to your team.
When to Hire Full-Time vs. Project-Based
Not every business needs a full-time accountant right away. If you’re tackling a specific challenge—like preparing for an audit, implementing a new system, or cleaning up historical records—a contract or project-based solution may be the best fit.
But as your business scales, your team structure becomes more complex, and financial decisions carry more weight, having a permanent in-house accountant can make a real difference. They offer consistency, deeper engagement with your operations, and proactive support that evolves with your long-term goals.
Why Cultural Fit Matters When Hiring an Internal Accountant
Even in finance roles, cultural fit plays a big role in long-term success. Internal accountants often work closely with business owners, CFOs, and department heads—so communication, trust, and alignment are essential.
We recommend including key decision-makers in interviews, asking scenario-based questions that reflect real challenges in your business, and considering a contract-to-permanent approach if you’re unsure. A strong cultural fit helps avoid friction, boosts collaboration, and leads to better results over time.
Where to Find the Right Candidates
Great accountants don’t always apply for job ads. In fact, many of the best internal accountants we place are what we’d call “passive” candidates; they’re not actively looking, but they’re open to the right opportunity if it aligns with their goals and values. That’s why targeted recruitment makes a difference. At Godfrey Group, we work proactively across our network to find candidates who bring the right experience, mindset, and motivation for your business.
Hire for Today, Plan for Tomorrow with Godfrey Group
Hiring an internal accountant isn’t just about managing the numbers. It’s about bringing in someone who can support your bigger picture, whether that’s better controls, smarter budgeting, or clearer decision-making.
If you’re ready to hire an internal accountant who adds real value to your company, we’d love to help. Connect with Godfrey Group today on 02 8004 9350 or submit your vacancy online.
