Careers in accounting and finance: hottest skills, salaries, and opportunities for 2026

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Forget everything you thought you knew about a career in accounting and finance. New technologies and regulations are stirring up the sector, creating new opportunities and a hunger for talented professionals with the right skill mix.

Our finance and accounting recruitment experts share the latest insights on skills, opportunities, roles, and salaries, so you have all the intel you need to accelerate your career or hire with strategy in 2026. Here’s everything you need to know!

Accounting industry trends: inside the 2026 hiring landscape

Economic uncertainty will continue to impact the UK hiring landscape in 2026, pushing employers to invest in talent more cautiously and prioritise roles that directly drive revenue and build resilience. Two major issues are compounding hiring challenges: a shortage of qualified accounting professionals and a salary expectation misalignment between employers and candidates. Negotiation and flexibility will be critical in closing that gap.

At the same time, finance functions are modernising at speed. The proportion of finance teams using AI tools for forecasting, data reconciliation, and reporting has surged from 34% in 2024 to 72% in 2025, underscoring that AI proficiency is no longer optional. JROC's advances in open-finance infrastructure, along with data-rich payments and reporting systems, are cementing data fluency as a core finance skill.

When combined with digital tax reform, new UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, and the shift toward digital filing, it's clear that a new generation of finance roles is emerging — roles that blend accounting expertise with data analytics, AI, and regulatory insight. For finance professionals, this is a pivotal moment to reassess career direction and capitalise on the integration of finance with data and tech.

"Finance teams that embrace data and AI are moving from reporting the past to predicting the future FP&A professionals who can blend financial insight with analytics tools are becoming the most valuable people in the room." Explains Jay Bhojani, Director at Robert Half.

Your accounting and finance salary: exploring your earning potential in 2026

For many businesses, salary increases aren’t possible in the current climate. However, our data suggests that 67% of employers are willing to stretch budgets to secure rare professionals. These include accounts assistants, finance business partners, FP&A managers, finance managers, and financial controllers, who are scarce in the current hiring market.

Some candidates are willing to negotiate better benefits and perks in exchange for the higher salaries they want. According to our data, agreed bonuses, 13-month salaries, and WFH financial allowances are some of the most popular. Flexible work arrangements remain an attractive perk for professionals and can sweeten the deal when financial incentives aren't possible.

Upcoming skills: in-demand skills, experience, and certifications

The skills needed for finance are changing. Professionals with a blend of traditional skills and digital capabilities, such as experience with AI, are driving the future of the finance and accounting sector.

"The finance industry is changing quickly, and so should your skillset.” Says Luke Crowther, Branch Director at Robert Half. “Continuous learning is no longer optional; it’s a competitive advantage that helps finance professionals stay relevant and confident they are ready to grasp new opportunities as the market moves forward."

Our latest research shows that 45% of businesses intend to grow their finance teams in 2026, with a particular focus on talent with this skills mix.

Aside from traditional finance qualifications like ACA, ACCA, CIMA, and AAT, the highest salaries will go to professionals who can demonstrate their skills in data analytics, generative AI solutions, budgeting and forecasting, and financial reporting.

Our data also shows that finance and accounting professionals are actively developing their skills in financial modelling and FP&A alongside AI-driven tools and Generative AI for reporting, showcasing the blending of traditional and cutting-edge skills.

Accounting and finance jobs: top roles and opportunity hotspots

According to our research, the traditional finance and accounting functions that will see robust hiring in 2026 are accounting, payroll, controlling, and FP&A, with business services, manufacturing, and retail showing the most robust demand for 2026.

We're also seeing new roles emerging as businesses adopt more advanced technologies and operate within a more stringent regulatory landscape. For example, the UK SRS (UK Sustainability Reporting Standards) could trigger an increase in new ESG-related roles focused on sustainability data, climate risk accounting, and integrated reporting. Moreover, open banking's expansion into mortgages and investments has created roles for data governance, consent, and data management, as well as demand for compliance/regulatory professionals with experience in smart data.

The finance world is evolving fast, but those who pair solid accounting foundations with digital fluency will be the ones shaping its future. The next few years offer a tantalising opportunity to redefine what it means to have a career in finance and accounting.

For more insight into salaries, skills, and hiring trends for the finance and accounting sector, download your free copy of the 2026 Robert Half Salary Guide today. Browse the latest vacancies on our site or upload your CV to join our top finance talent.

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