2026 Canada finance and accounting hiring trends

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3.2%* December 2025 unemployment rate

Finance and accounting teams are balancing heightened expectations against rapid change in how work gets done. AI and automation promise efficiency, but success depends on soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability and collaboration. At the same time, skills gaps in areas like AI literacy, data analytics and technical accounting are creating challenges for compliance and slowing progress on priorities such as improving forecasting and optimizing costs.

Robert Half research shows leaders are responding with a mix of strategies: hiring permanent staff, upskilling teams and engaging contract professionals with specialized expertise. Finance and accounting teams that build digital fluency, strengthen analytical and technical skills and embrace flexible staffing models will be more prepared to support evolving business needs. They’ll also be better able to guide strategic decisions and respond quickly to shifting priorities.

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Strategic priorities for 2026

Finance and accounting leaders shared their strategic priorities for 2026. Expect demand—and competition—to increase for professionals with the specialized skills needed to advance these critical initiatives.

Enhancing financial planning and forecasting capabilities

Driving profitability and cost optimization

Implementing AI and automation technologies

Driving efficiencies through process improvement

Optimizing order-to-cash workflows

Finance and accounting teams face skills shortfalls that can stall critical initiatives. Only 9% of leaders reported having the necessary headcount and skill sets to accomplish priority projects this year, and 54% said they need to upskill current team members.

Flexible staffing solutions can also help teams gain the necessary expertise to keep operations running smoothly.

Financial
planning and
analysis Automation
tools Data
analytics Soft skills
and leadership
capabilities AI literacy Financial
planning and
analysis Automation
tools Data
analytics Soft skills
and leadership
capabilities AI literacy

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Adaptability
and continuous
learning Critical
thinking and
problem solving Creativity and
innovation Communication Emotional
intelligence Adaptability
and continuous
learning Critical
thinking and
problem solving Creativity and
innovation Communication Emotional
intelligence

Skills in highest demand

Recruiting professionals with specialized abilities enables leaders to advance strategic initiatives. An analysis of thousands of job postings over the past year shows which technical proficiencies employers value most in finance and accounting—making a competitive hiring strategy essential.

Technical skills

Audit and financial controls

Business process improvement

Data and business analytics

Data cleansing and visualization

Financial analysis

Financial reporting

Payroll management

Regulatory reporting

Software proficiencies

Adaptive

Ceridian Dayforce

Microsoft D365

Microsoft Power BI

Oracle NetSuite

QuickBooks

SAP

Workday

Hiring plans for 2026

53%

of finance and accounting leaders said finding skilled talent is more difficult today than a year ago.

43%

expect to increase permanent headcount in the first half of 2026.

39%

plan to increase contract hiring.

Roles shaping hiring strategies

The following positions have experienced above-average sequential growth and consistent demand throughout the past 12 months, according to an analysis of thousands of job postings and Robert Half placements:

Accounting manager

Collections/credit analyst

Financial planning and analysis manager

Payroll administrator

Senior accountant

Tax manager

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More to explore

Labour market overview Stay on top of Robert Half and Statistics Canada job posting data to learn about today’s hiring market.

Staffing for small businesses Stay competitive in today’s hiring landscape with trends and strategies specifically tailored for small businesses.

2026 Canada Salary Guide Explore the latest data for roles across 6 professional fields and what you should pay or earn in local and national markets.

In-demand finance and accounting roles Dive deeper into the finance and accounting roles most in demand. Also learn what proficiencies and skills are growing in demand.

*Statistics Canada, seasonally adjusted, January 2026.

The surveys cited were developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. Results may not total 100% due to rounding or allowing for multiple responses. Respondents included executives, hiring managers and workers from small (10-99 employees), midsize (100-999 employees) and large (1,000+ employees) businesses in private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across Canada.

Over 650,000 new positions from more than 4,900 independent job boards and company websites are represented in this report, including thousands of placements from Robert Half. Positions are categorized into more than 365 job titles within Robert Half’s Salary Guide using a proprietary mapping methodology that employs state-of-the-art large language models. This dataset includes roles across the finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources professions.