Work-life balance and flexibility top priorities for CAs – survey

Core Insights - Balancing professional and personal commitments is a primary concern for chartered accountants (CAs) according to the CA ANZ 2025/26 Remuneration Survey, which included over 4,100 members from Australia, New Zealand, and overseas [1] Group 1: Job Diversity and Roles - Respondents reported a wide range of job titles beyond traditional roles, including caregiver, tribe performance lead, cybersecurity director, and sustainability leader, with over 660 distinct roles represented [2] Group 2: Remuneration Trends - The not-for-profit sector in Australia saw the strongest rise in median remuneration at 8%, while the same sector in New Zealand recorded a 3% increase; the corporate sector in New Zealand had the largest increase at 6%, whereas corporate median remuneration in Australia experienced a slight decline [4] - A smaller proportion of respondents reported pay rises of more than 10%, with 21% of younger members aged 20–29 receiving increases above this threshold [4] Group 3: Employee Retention Factors - Employers aiming to recruit and retain high-performing staff should focus on factors beyond pay, such as flexible working, reasonable workloads, work-from-home options, clear development pathways, and a supportive workplace culture [5] - Approximately one third of respondents are considering leaving their current employer within the next 12 months [5] Group 4: Gender Pay Gap and Employee Preferences - The survey highlighted a persistent gender pay gap, estimated at 24% in New Zealand and 14% in Australia, with women prioritizing flexible arrangements and work-from-home options [6]