Whether you’re looking to enter the finance and accounting profession or take your career to the next level, it may be an ideal time to make your move.

Research for the 2024 Salary Guide From Robert Half shows many employers in public and corporate accounting and finance face a shortage of skilled professionals available for hire. In a separate Robert Half survey, 95% of hiring managers in finance and accounting also reported difficulty finding talent.

What types of positions are employers eager to staff? And which jobs can help you advance in your career — and grow your earning potential? Our Salary Guide research offers insight on both fronts. Here’s a look at five in-demand finance and accounting jobs that can help get you to the next level in your career, depending on your skills and professional goals:

Compliance analyst

If your aim is to be a compliance officer at a corporate accounting firm, working as a compliance analyst first can be a solid stepping-stone along that path. You’ll be steeped in work related to compliance processes and procedures, and your duties may include:

  • Helping to develop, implement and manage the firm’s compliance and risk assessment program
  • Coordinating with external risk assessment and compliance professionals and federal regulators
  • Assessing new laws and regulations and their impact on the business
  • Communicating regulations and identified risks to management and staff across the company

What employers typically look for: Compliance analyst hires often bring at least three to five years of experience in compliance, auditing or risk management to the role. Many employers also prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in business, finance or accounting.

Skills that can provide an edge: Compliance analysts need to be highly organized, with excellent problem-solving, communication and research abilities. Strong candidates for this role have a solid understanding of risk assessment and mitigation and the legal and regulatory environment in their industry. Many employers also look for candidates with technical skills like data mining, and experience in areas such as anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) compliance.

See our open compliance analyst jobs.

Internal auditor

Internal auditors provide independent assurance that an organization’s risk management, governance and internal control processes are operating effectively. But in recent years, many organizations have started to rely on their internal audit staff for even more — from offering objective input on new technology investments to providing assurance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.

Working in internal audit prepares you for career paths in risk management, compliance and consulting, and other areas. Your job duties as an internal auditor might include:

  • Developing the internal audit scope, performing internal audit procedures and preparing internal audit reports
  • Covering functional and operating units with a focus on financial, IT and operational processes
  • Applying knowledge of internal control concepts and experience to planning, performing, managing and reporting on the evaluation of various business processes, areas and functions
  • Performing follow-up on the status of outstanding internal audit issues
  • Assisting in internal audit management and the development of the annual internal audit plan

What employers typically look for: For internal audit roles that require one to three years’ of experience, know that many employers seek candidates with relevant industry or public accounting experience. An undergraduate degree in accounting or finance is also often preferred. However, some hiring managers for internal audit organizations are also keen to snap up high-potential candidates who are data-savvy and have solid technology skills.

Skills that can provide an edge: As noted above, technology skills and the ability to work with data are highly valued in many internal audit functions today. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other technology systems can also be a differentiator. Top candidates for internal auditor jobs also have deep knowledge of controls, internal auditing standards, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), the COSO framework, and risk assessment practices.

See our open internal auditor jobs.

Financial analyst

If your career plan includes becoming a senior financial analyst, or a financial analyst manager or director, you’ll need to build your skills as a financial analyst first. Organizations across industries need financial analysts to prepare profit and loss models, balance sheets and other data-driven management reports. Your duties as a financial analyst might also include:

  • Performing budgeting variance and forecasting analysis
  • Assisting with financial analysis and modeling
  • Helping to prepare financial plans and budgets
  • Verifying cost allocations according to company procedures

What employers typically look for: Thorough knowledge of general accounting procedures, reporting and expense analysis, and journal posting is typically required for a financial analyst job. You’ll also need strong communication skills, as you may need to interact regularly with executive management, project leaders, sales managers and other financial professionals across the organization.

Skills that can provide an edge: The CPA license is a plus for the financial analyst role, especially if you want to earn a senior financial analyst position. Many employers also look for candidates with an MBA. As you progress in your financial analyst career, proficiency with programs such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and database applications will be expected. Many employers also value professionals who have experience working with ERP systems.

See our open financial analyst jobs.

Financial systems administrator

As the job title suggests, a financial systems administrator is responsible for the administration of a company’s financial systems, including security, installation, configuration, operation and maintenance. This technical role in the finance and accounting profession can help you gain valuable experience that can put you in line for other related and higher-paying positions, including financial systems project manager and financial systems manager.

  • Your responsibilities as an administrator of financial systems could include:
  • Supporting the financial systems team by analyzing and reporting monthly financials to senior leadership
  • Assisting with creating and preparing the annual budget
  • Developing and maintaining reporting tools and templates to help support the production of financial reports and analysis
  • Helping to continually improve and automate financial processes
  • Identifying key performance measures and indicators that drive reporting and analytics

What employers typically look for: Hiring managers are on the lookout for organized, detail-oriented professionals with strong technical and data analysis skills. Most organizations prefer to hire financial systems administrators who have earned a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting or a related discipline and one to two years of related work experience.

Skills that can provide an edge: Many employers like to see candidates proficient at using Excel and other leading business and financial software programs. Professionals with knowledge of GAAP and a strong understanding of compliance measures like SOX often have an advantage in the hiring process. The ability to collaborate effectively across functions, including IT and audit, is also valued.

See our open financial systems administrator jobs.

General accountant

There is no shortage of things to do when you’re a general accountant. Preparing journal entries and assisting with the fieldwork for financial and operational audits are just two examples of the various responsibilities you may have in this role. Other typical duties include:

  • Preparing financial statements and account reconciliations
  • Reconciling and balancing general ledger accounts
  • Researching and correcting account discrepancies

As you move into more senior positions in the accounting profession, you may also be expected to prepare financial statements and support month-end and year-end closes.

What employers typically look for: Accounting professionals with strong Excel, time management, analytical reasoning and communication skills are usually top contenders for the general accountant role. Most employers also make a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance a requirement for consideration.

Skills that can provide an edge: Accountants are consistently in demand at CPA firms. (Note: These roles sometimes start as contract jobs through tax season and turn into permanent jobs later. So, working as a contract professional could provide you with an in-road to a full-time job.) Credentials such as the CPA or advanced degrees such as an MBA can push your resume to the top of the pile and net you higher pay for a general accountant role.

See our open general accountant jobs.

These five positions are just some examples of finance and accounting roles that are expected to be in high demand in the year ahead, based on Robert Half’s workplace research. And if you have the skills and experience that employers need, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself among the top candidates for consideration for these or other in-demand jobs that you may be targeting.

To learn more about the latest hiring and compensation trends in finance and accounting, what other types of roles many employers want to staff, and what kind of salary you might expect to earn in the year ahead, check out the Salary Guide from Robert Half.