Award coverage for employees working in accounts depends on their duties and the employer’s industry.

Accountants

Accountants working for an accounting firm aren’t covered by an award. They’re entitled to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards.

Accountants employed by an employer other than an accounting firm will also not be covered by an award unless:

• their employer is in an industry covered by an award
• their duties match the classifications in the award.

Awards which provide coverage for accountants include the:

• Banking, Finance and Insurance Award
• Black Coal Award
• Electrical Power Award
• Rail Award.

The Miscellaneous Award doesn't cover professional employees, including accountants.

Other accounts employees

An employee with a background in accounting, but who is not an accountant, will often work as a book-keeper, accounts clerk or payroll officer.

They may be covered by an award if:

• their employer is in an industry covered by an award
• their duties match the classifications in the award.

Awards that may cover these employees include the:

• Banking, Finance and Insurance Award
• Black Coal Award
• Electrical Power Award
• Labour Market Assistance Award
• Rail Award
• Retail Award.

If an award that covers their employer does not contain clerical classifications, the employee may be covered by the Clerks Award if they are engaged wholly or principally in clerical work such as calculating, invoicing, billing, charging and cash handling.

Employees not covered by an industry or occupational award are covered by the Miscellaneous Award. They’ll be classified based on their duties and qualifications.