Kiwi employers are being urged to address the gender pay gap in the accountancy profession with female accountants being paid on average 26 per cent less than men.

The gender pay gap revealed in the annual survey of members of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants is significantly higher than the 9.6 per cent average across all occupations, as rated by Statistics New Zealand.

"The face of our profession is changing and pay and conditions need to change as well if we are to attract and retain staff,'' said NZICA director of marketing and human resources Jeana Abbott.

This is the first time the annual survey has broken down comparisons by experience.

It showed that women with less than five years' experience were paid $79, 205 on average - just 9 per cent less than men.

But the more experienced women become, the larger the pay gap grows.

Women with 16 to 20 years' experience were paid on average 25 per cent less than men - at $142, 688 and women with over 21 years' experience were paid an average of $141, 785, compared to men who were paid an average of $185, 232 - a 23 per cent difference.

Abbot said it was publishing the results to raise awareness of the problem and would be working with members to address the issue.

"We recognise that pay gaps are often unintentional and can take time to reduce. We also acknowledge that all workplaces are different and each must find solutions that fit their own individual circumstances."

Colmar Brunton conducted the survey of 8,800 institute members in June and July.

- © Fairfax NZ News