Malaysia’s strategic location in Southeast Asia, combined with its robust financial services sector and multilingual workforce, makes it a top destination for businesses looking to build or expand their finance and accounting teams. For global companies aiming to hire remote employees, particularly accountants, Malaysia offers a cost-effective, skilled, and well-educated talent pool.

But hiring in a foreign country often requires navigating complex tax regulations, labor laws, and payroll systems. Establishing a local entity in Malaysia can take time and resources, making it impractical for companies seeking quick expansion or short-term engagements. The solution? Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR). Using the best Employer of Record services, you can compliantly hire accountants in Malaysia without setting up a local entity, while ensuring full legal and payroll compliance.

In this guide, we’ll explore how foreign businesses can use global employment solutions, international payroll services, and EOR companies to streamline the process of hiring accountants in Malaysia.

Why Hire Accountants in Malaysia?

Malaysia’s accounting workforce is well-trained, fluent in English, and familiar with international standards such as IFRS. The country has a large number of graduates with degrees in accounting, finance, and commerce, and many professionals are members of global certification bodies like ACCA, CPA Australia, and CIMA.

Hiring accountants in Malaysia is an attractive option for companies that need:

• Financial reporting and compliance
  
• Tax advisory and filing
  
• Budgeting and forecasting
  
• Audit support
  
• Payroll processing
  
• Management accounting
  
• ERP and cloud-based accounting software expertise
  

Whether you’re a startup managing costs or a multinational seeking to decentralize finance operations, Malaysia offers skilled accountants at competitive rates.

Challenges of Hiring Without a Local Entity

While the talent is abundant, foreign companies must be cautious when hiring directly in Malaysia without a registered entity. Some key challenges include:

1. Legal Compliance

You can’t legally employ full-time workers in Malaysia without a locally registered entity unless you work with an EOR company. Employment laws are governed by the Employment Act and differ based on salary level and role type.

2. Payroll Complexity

Payroll must account for mandatory contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Social Security Organization (SOCSO), and Employment Insurance System (EIS). Managing these without local expertise can lead to non-compliance.

3. Tax Withholding

Malaysian employers are required to withhold income tax through the Monthly Tax Deduction (MTD) scheme. Failure to file properly can result in penalties.

4. Contracts and Benefits

Malaysian employment contracts must comply with statutory standards, including leave entitlements, working hours, and termination processes. Understanding local expectations is key to attracting and retaining top accountants.

The Role of an Employer of Record (EOR) in Hiring Accountants

An Employer of Record takes over all legal, HR, and payroll responsibilities for your Malaysian employees, allowing you to focus solely on managing their day-to-day work. The EOR company becomes the legal employer while you retain operational control.

With the best Employer of Record services, your business can:

• Hire accountants in Malaysia within days
  
• Stay compliant with labor, tax, and social security regulations
  
• Access market-aligned employment contracts and benefits
  
• Manage costs with transparent pricing
  
• Offer competitive salaries and incentives
  
• Avoid the need for a Malaysian legal entity
  

Using International Payroll Services for Malaysian Hires

For accounting roles especially, accuracy in payroll processing is non-negotiable. That’s where international payroll services come in. These services handle:

• Monthly salary disbursement
  
• Income tax deduction and filing (MTD)
  
• EPF, SOCSO, and EIS contributions
  
• Overtime and bonus calculations
  
• Payslip generation and reporting
  
• Year-end tax forms (EA Form)
  

By outsourcing to a provider with local expertise, you ensure your Malaysian accountants are paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with statutory requirements.

Salary Ranges for Accountants in Malaysia

Understanding salary benchmarks helps you attract the right talent. Approximate annual salaries for accountants in Malaysia are:

• Junior Accountant: MYR 36,000–48,000
  
• Mid-level Accountant: MYR 55,000–75,000
  
• Senior Accountant: MYR 80,000–100,000+
  
• Finance Manager/Controller: MYR 120,000–180,000
  

In addition to competitive salaries, many accountants in Malaysia also expect:

• Annual bonuses (performance-based)
  
• Medical and dental insurance
  
• Paid annual and medical leave
  
• Career development or CPA support
  

The EOR company will structure compensation packages to be locally competitive while keeping your international payroll compliant.

Comparing EOR to PEO for Accounting Roles

You may come across both Employer of Record and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services. Here’s the difference:

• A PEO enters a co-employment relationship, ideal for companies that already have a local entity in Malaysia.
  
• An EOR takes on full employment responsibility and is better suited for companies with no legal presence.
  

For global companies looking to hire remote employees quickly and legally in Malaysia, an EOR company offers the fastest, safest, and most compliant path.

Benefits of Partnering with the Top EOR Providers

Choosing one of the top EOR providers can make the difference between smooth expansion and costly missteps. Look for:

• Proven experience with hiring in Malaysia
  
• Local HR and legal experts
  
• Seamless payroll outsourcing capabilities
  
• Transparent and scalable pricing
  
• Strong client references in finance and accounting
  

An experienced EOR company will also support international contractor management, making it easier to engage freelance or short-term finance talent as needed.

Final Thoughts: Team Apac Makes Hiring in Malaysia Easy

Whether you’re building a finance hub, setting up a remote team, or supporting a regional office, hiring accountants in Malaysia can accelerate your company’s goals. By partnering with a trusted Employer of Record, you gain legal hiring capabilities, payroll support, and HR infrastructure—without the time and cost of setting up a subsidiary.

At Team Apac, we specialize in helping global companies hire remote employees across Asia-Pacific. As one of the top EOR providers, we offer comprehensive global employment solutions, from international payroll services to local benefits compliance and workforce management.If you’re ready to tap into Malaysia’s accounting talent without borders, Team Apac is here to help—fast, compliant, and always on your side.