Is Accounting Worth It in 2026? Careers, Jobs, and Salaries Explained

The accounting career has evolved beyond its traditional role of balancing books. It has instead shifted toward helping businesses navigate increasingly digital and regulatory changes.

In Malaysia, this evolution is propelled by the rollout of e-invoicing, scheduled to be completed by mid-year. As businesses adapt to new regulatory shifts, digitalisation is no longer optional in daily operations; it is now essential.

This shift has introduced new operational challenges for organisations and increased the demand for professionals with specialised skills.

The Accounting Profession Today

Two key developments are reshaping the accounting career:

Digital adoption and the rise of e-invoicing

Malaysia’s e-invoicing rollout has accelerated digital adoption across corporations and service hubs. This shift goes beyond implementing new systems and demands professionals who can optimise the process and ensure regulatory compliance.

AI and Automation

As these technologies become part of the daily process, the nature of accounting roles is moving away from repetitive tasks toward those that require judgment, analysis, and interpretation. In response, there’s a growing demand for professionals to upskill to adapt to evolving workplace expectations and digital technologies.

Understanding Accounting Jobs and Career Pathways

Choosing a career in accounting after graduation can feel daunting because the profession does not follow a single, fixed path. Most graduates begin in entry-level roles focused on developing practical skills in financial processes, reporting, and compliance. Positions such as accounts assistant, junior accountant, audit associate, or tax associate are common starting points, offering hands-on exposure to day-to-day accounting work.

As experience grows, accounting careers often branch into more specialised areas. Some professionals choose to remain in public practice and progress within audit, tax, or advisory functions. Others move into corporate environments, where accounting roles may include financial reporting, management accounting, budgeting, or internal audit.

Career progression in accounting is commonly based on a combination of experience, exposure, and professional development. Early roles emphasise accuracy and process knowledge, but mid-career positions require communication, analytical, and teamworking skills. Over time, this gradually allows accounting professionals to take on greater responsibilities.

Accounting salaries in 2026

Entry-Level Accountant

In 2026, the median salary for entry-level accounting roles in Malaysia is RM 3,000 per month. The pay varies depending on factors such as industry, organisation size, and location.

Certified Accountant (ACCA/CPA)

According to PayScale, the average base salary for accountants is approximately RM 48,767 per year. Accountants with professional qualifications such as ACCA or CPA may progress into roles that sit above this baseline as experience and responsibility increase.

Finance Manager

The average monthly salary of a finance manager is around RM 8,325. At this stage, compensation is influenced less by professional certification alone and more by leadership capability, commercial awareness, and the ability to translate financial information into business decisions.

CFO / Senior Finance Leader

At the senior finance leadership level, compensation depends on strategic responsibility rather than technical expertise alone. CFOs and senior finance leaders play a central role in shaping organisational direction, overseeing financial governance, managing risk, and supporting long-term business strategy. Average Monthly Salary: RM 18,016 per month

Pros and Cons of Choosing the Accounting Profession

Advantages

High job stability

Accounting roles remain consistently in demand across industries, as organisations must comply with financial reporting and regulatory requirements.

Global career mobility

Accounting skills and professional qualifications are widely recognised, allowing professionals to explore international career opportunities over time.

Clear professional pathway

The accounting profession offers structured progression, from entry-level roles to senior finance leadership positions, helping graduates understand how responsibilities and expectations evolve at each stage.

Strong earning potential

While salaries typically start at modest levels, earning potential increases steadily with experience, professional certification, and leadership responsibilities.

Disadvantages

Continuous learning

Accountants must regularly update their knowledge to keep up with regulatory changes, evolving standards, and increasing digitalisation.

Pressure during peak periods

Workload intensity can increase during audit cycles, reporting deadlines, or tax seasons.

Professional certifications can be demanding

Qualifications such as ACCA certification or CPA require significant time, commitment, and discipline, in addition to work responsibilities.

Educational Pathways and Certifications at LSBF Malaysia

Choosing the right programmes can help to bridge the gap between learning, professional certification, and workplace readiness. At LSBF Malaysia, the accounting programmes are designed to support career progression at different stages of an individual’s journey.

For those looking to start their careers, the Diploma in Accounting offers a structured learning pathway to core accounting concepts. The programme focuses on building practical understanding in financial accounting, management accounting, and reporting.

This helps students to develop the foundational knowledge necessary for entry-level roles. As careers progress, professional certification is often essential for further advancement.

LSBF Malaysia offers the ACCA Qualification, delivered through both on-campus and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) formats.

These options allow learners to work towards a globally recognised professional qualification while balancing learning and personal commitments.

Speak to our education consultant to know more about the programmes.

This blog is written by Godwin Fernandez

FAQs

Will accounting jobs disappear due to AI?

Accounting jobs are unlikely to disappear due to AI, but the nature of the work will change. Automation and AI are increasingly used to handle repetitive tasks such as data entry, reconciliation, and basic reporting, while accounting roles are evolving toward work that requires judgment and analysis.

Which accounting qualification is best in 2026?

There’s no single “best” accounting qualification in 2026. The choice depends on your career goals, specialisation and interests. However, ACCA is widely regarded as the most versatile and globally valued qualification.

Is it hard to get a job in accounting in 2026?

Getting an accounting job in 2026 may not be difficult, but it depends on preparation, expectations, and role type. Entry-level accounting roles remain widely available across industries, as organisations continue to require support for financial reporting, compliance, and day-to-day accounting operations.

Will AI replace accountants in the future?

AI is unlikely to replace accountants entirely in the future, but it will continue to change how accounting work is performed. Repetitive tasks are increasingly automated, while human judgement and advisory responsibilities remain essential.