The surest way to get high up the Rich Bosses list is to start a business and float it on the ASX.

Nineteen of the top 20 on the list founded or co-founded their company. The only exception is Altium CEO Aram Mirkazemi, who joined the software company as a graduate more than 30 years ago, has overseen its stunning turnaround and could be considered the founder of Altium 2.0. Even Macquarie’s Shemara Wikramanayake, one of the country’s highest-paid wage slaves, cannot crack the top 20 despite 36 years at the millionaire’s factory and its renowned employee share scheme.