Demand for finance and accounting talent remains steady
Finance talent remains in high demand with drivers including regulatory and compliance changes, the need for resilience and growth, as well as requirements for technological advancements such as AI and digital transformation. As a result, strong demand for the right professionals in a tight jobs market will likely continue to build in 2026 and beyond.
Recent data from Robert Half shows that 58% of hiring managers plan to expand their permanent finance teams in H1 2026. Steve Sully explains why demand is not going to decline in the near future: “Finance and accounting professionals are drivers of business growth. They provide tighter fiscal and risk controls while ensuring that business leaders are aware of opportunities to increase revenue and reduce costs.
“The increasing complexity of the finance function means their expertise in advanced analytics, compliance and strategic forecasting has become essential for organisational
success.”
While hiring managers report that the largest proportion of new finance employees will be permanent, over half (53%) aim to expand their hiring plans for project-based specialists, and 43% will grow their use of contract employees to fill the gaps.
Companies benefit from the ability to quickly scale their workforce for project-based needs, such as audits, system upgrades, or compliance initiatives. Not unsurprisingly, trends such as ESG reporting, cybersecurity, and data-driven business decisions are further driving the shift toward temporary roles. As finance teams evolve, deploying contracting as part of your workforce mix is becoming a vital solution for accessing top talent and navigating an ever-changing landscape.
3 trends driving finance and accounting hiring strategies
1. Strategic partnering and data expertise
Digitisation, automation and AI, and the broader trend of digital transformation in the finance industry, are reshaping the finance function and its role within the organisation. As businesses rely more on data to guide decision-making, finance professionals are increasingly stepping up to engage in cross-functional partnerships (especially with IT, tech, and operational teams) to ensure the accuracy and proper management of data.
As businesses move towards a future of data democratisation, in which BI reporting and dashboards can be created on demand via AI prompts, finance and accounting professionals will evolve to become specialists in governing the quality and reliability of outputs. We expect to see skill sets evolving towards strong AI and data literacy, including an understanding of how data is gathered, stored, controlled and interpreted, to ensure security and support effective decision-making.[TG1.1]
Because of this shift, we’re also expecting business leaders to view finance and accounting professionals as strategic partners who can use a blend of commercial acumen and data analysis to drive fast growth and transformation.
2. Building industry and business know-how
The second big trend is for finance and accounting professionals to build their industry and business know-how, so they don’t just excel in technical expertise but also build strong, collaborative relationships with peers across the organisation.
“In the future, finance professionals must be able to apply their skills in a way that aligns with broader business goals, contributing to strategic decision-making, driving innovation and fostering cross-functional synergies,” says Steve. This holistic approach will be critical and will enable finance experts to provide greater value beyond traditional financial management.
“It’s clear that, as well as bringing technical and increasingly digital skills to the party, the finance and accounting talent most in demand will demonstrate a range of soft skills, such as creative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and first-rate communication and presentation abilities.”
The greatest opportunities will be found in functions that integrate both traditional financial expertise and emerging technologies. These areas are becoming indispensable as companies seek to leverage data-driven insights, streamline operations and ensure adherence to complex regulatory frameworks.
3. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
The third trend for finance and accounting professionals to be aware of is the accelerating requirement to report on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are now core business priorities as organisations seek to build their reputations with stakeholders, including prospective employees, with authentic data.
The ability to accurately track and report on ESG metrics is becoming a crucial skill set in the finance and accounting sector, driving demand for professionals who can hit the ground running and take a lead on reporting initiatives.
Steve added, “The ability to effectively track and report on ESG metrics is now a key differentiator. Professionals who can lead in this area are increasingly in demand as businesses strive for transparency and accountability.”
Niche skills drive higher finance and accounting salaries
Businesses are now shifting from backfilling roles to strategic workforce expansion to support growth, transformation and resilience, particularly in high-demand areas requiring specialised skills. Recent Robert Half data shows that a shortage of skilled applicants and concerns around attracting candidates with specialised or niche skills rank as the top two hiring challenges for UK businesses of all sizes.
The 2026 UK Salary Guide from Robert Half reveals that finance and accounting professionals with sought-after certifications, such as ACA, ACCA/CIMA, AAT and CTAs, were more likely to attract higher starting pay. The most in-demand skills driving salary premiums are financial reporting, agentic AI use, data analytics and industry know-how, as businesses seek professionals who can navigate both technological and strategic challenges.
“Our advice for hiring managers is to be aware of the different factors that drive employee motivation,” says Steve. “Finance and accounting employees know their worth, and managers need to understand how to support them.”
