The short version

Singapore’s accountancy sector grew 5.1% in 2025, adding S$177.4 million in revenue. Entry‑level pay jumped 13% as firms adapt to AI‑driven workflow changes.

What happened

Employment grew by 579 positions, or 2.7 per cent, reaching 22,362 staff in 2025.

First‑year audit assistants saw the biggest salary rise, with median monthly pay up 13 per cent to S$3,400.

First‑year associates earned 10 per cent more, reaching S$4,600 a month.

Accountancy graduates have high employment rates of more than 93 per cent, and strong median starting salaries,

Acting Minister for Manpower Jasmin Lau

The background

The sector added more than 1,200 job openings, with about 80 per cent in audit and assurance and business advisory services.

AI application, ethics and governance were named the top workforce development priorities for the next three years by 67 per cent of respondents.

ISCA is piloting a FlexConnect programme to supply flexible contract talent for firms facing staff absences.

What it means for owners and operators

Higher entry‑level salaries increase staffing costs, but AI automation can offset this by reducing time spent on routine reconciliations and first‑draft preparation.

Firms that invest in AI training will enable junior staff to focus on judgement‑heavy tasks, improving service quality and client interaction.

Smaller practices may need to use FlexConnect or similar flexible staffing models to cover leave periods without over‑hiring.

The numbers

Junior audit assistant salary rise
13%
Openings in audit & advisory
80%
Source: as reported by businesstimes.com.sg and straitstimes.com.

Our take

Analysis by Infercline

AI is driving up entry‑level salaries as firms pay for the judgement that machines can’t replace.

What to do in your business tomorrow

  1. Map routine tasks that could be automated with AI and reassign those hours to higher‑value client work.
  2. Set up a flexible staffing plan, using contract or part‑time talent, to cover prolonged absences.
  3. Introduce a regular review of junior staff output to identify repetitive steps that AI tools could handle, then redesign workflows accordingly.

Related coverage

Sources

  • businesstimes.com.sg: Singapore accountancy sector grows 5.1% to S$3.7 billion as salaries rise across the board
  • straitstimes.com: Singapore’s accountancy sector adds jobs, raises pay as firms prepare workers for AI