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Understanding finance and accounting salary trends is more important than ever, whether you're competing for skilled talent or planning your next career move. As organizations invest in AI, automation, analytics and financial systems modernization, demand continues to grow for professionals who can combine financial expertise with technology and business insight.
The 2027 Salary Guide from Robert Half projects that salaries for finance and accounting professionals will rise an average of 1.8% year over year. Employers continue to invest in professionals who can support critical financial operations, improve reporting and help organizations navigate increasingly complex business and regulatory environments.
Finance and accounting salaries 2027: Roles and skills in high demand
What is driving finance and accounting salary trends in 2027?
According to the 2027 Robert Half Salary Guide, salaries for finance and accounting professionals are projected to increase an average of 1.8% year over year. Employers are also becoming more competitive in their compensation strategies, with 67% of finance and accounting leaders reporting they are making more competitive offers for business-critical roles and 69% saying they have offered salaries above their planned range to secure specialized talent.
The data shows that moderate overall salary growth doesn't necessarily mean employers are pulling back on compensation. Organizations remain willing to compete for professionals who can support high-priority initiatives and bring specialized expertise in areas such as AI, ERP platforms, data analytics, process automation, regulatory reporting and financial systems optimization.
As finance functions modernize, employers also value professionals who can help implement and optimize AI solutions while maintaining financial oversight and compliance. Professionals who combine financial expertise with technology skills and business insight may be particularly valuable as organizations seek to improve efficiency, strengthen decision-making and drive business performance.
Which finance and accounting roles are seeing the strongest salary growth in 2027?
Financial analysts, staff accountants, FP&A managers, assistant treasurers, procurement specialists and payroll specialists are among the finance and accounting roles projected to see above-average salary growth in 2027. Their projected increases point to demand for professionals who can provide actionable insights, strengthen financial operations and help organizations navigate increasingly complex business environments.
The roles projected to see the strongest salary growth include:
Financial analyst (+3.8%) Staff accountant (+3.7%) FP&A manager (+3.6%) Assistant treasurer (+3.3%) Procurement specialist (+3.3%) Payroll specialist (+3.2%)
These roles illustrate the value employers place on professionals who can strengthen core financial operations while supporting analysis, planning, reporting and business decision-making.
What finance and accounting skills can influence salary?
Technology, analytics and financial systems expertise are among the finance and accounting capabilities that can influence compensation in 2027. As organizations invest in AI, automation and modernization initiatives, professionals who can support these priorities may command higher pay.
According to the 2027 Salary Guide, 69% of finance and accounting leaders report offering salaries above their planned range to secure candidates with specialized skills, underscoring the value employers place on in-demand expertise.
For example, specialized skills that may warrant higher pay in Accounting roles include:
Controllership Month-end close acceleration Regulatory reporting Technical accounting
ERP system proficiency and data visualization skills continue to grow in value as organizations seek to improve efficiency, strengthen reporting and support data-driven decision-making. Professionals who combine core finance and accounting expertise with AI, analytics, automation and financial systems capabilities may be particularly well positioned as organizations modernize their finance functions.
See the full list of specialized skills that may warrant higher pay by job category in the 2027 Salary Guide From Robert Half.
Which certifications can boost earning potential?
Relevant certifications can help finance and accounting professionals demonstrate expertise, strengthen their resumes and potentially expand their career opportunities.
For employers, supporting professional development can help teams build capabilities needed to meet evolving financial, regulatory and technology demands. For professionals, certifications can validate knowledge and signal proficiency in specialized areas of finance and accounting.
Certifications that may boost earning potential include:
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Financial Planning and Analysis Professional (FPAC)
Credentials such as the CPA can be particularly valuable as employers seek professionals who can combine technical accounting expertise with sound financial oversight and business judgment.
Which industries pay more for specialized finance and accounting skills?
Manufacturing, pharma and biosciences, healthcare and financial services are among the industries showing strong demand for finance and accounting talent in 2027. Employers in these industries need skilled professionals to support revenue recognition, digital transformation and increasingly complex reporting requirements.
Manufacturing: Organizations need finance and accounting professionals who can support cost management, forecasting, operational analysis and financial systems initiatives.
Pharma and biosciences: Complex reporting requirements, regulatory considerations and continued investment create demand for professionals with specialized financial expertise.
Healthcare: Organizations value professionals who can support financial planning, reporting, revenue operations and changing regulatory requirements.
Financial services: Regulatory reporting, risk management, analytics and financial systems expertise remain important as organizations navigate complex financial and compliance environments.
Across these industries, employers value professionals who can combine financial expertise, technology fluency and business insight to support organizational goals.
Upskilling and contract talent: Strengthening finance and accounting teams
Finance and accounting leaders can strengthen their teams by developing existing employees while strategically adding specialized expertise where internal capabilities or capacity fall short.
Contract professionals can provide support for technology initiatives, financial transformations, compliance projects, reporting requirements and other specialized needs. This can help organizations access critical expertise while maintaining flexibility.
At the same time, employee development in areas such as AI, analytics, ERP systems and process automation can help organizations build critical capabilities for the longer term. AI-related expertise is becoming particularly valuable, with 82% of finance and accounting leaders offering higher pay for relevant AI skills and half offering greater premiums for AI-related expertise than for other technology skills.
Building effective finance and accounting teams in 2027 will require balancing access to specialized expertise with continuous learning and long-term capability development.
Total rewards matter in finance and accounting
Salary is only one part of the equation. When base pay is similar between opportunities, finance and accounting professionals often evaluate the broader employment package before deciding to accept an offer or change employers.
Financial incentives such as bonuses, profit-sharing programs and stock options, along with work-life balance benefits such as paid time off, hybrid or remote work options and flexible scheduling, are among the rewards that can influence career decisions.
For employers, competing for finance and accounting talent means looking beyond base pay. Competitive benefits, workplace flexibility and professional development opportunities can strengthen the overall value of an employment offer and help organizations attract and retain skilled professionals.
For professionals, evaluating total rewards can provide a more complete picture of an opportunity's long-term value. Financial incentives, flexibility, perks and benefits and opportunities to build new skills can all factor into a career decision alongside base pay.
Opportunities ahead in finance and accounting
Finance and accounting roles are evolving as technology, changing business needs and increasingly complex reporting requirements reshape the function. While overall starting salary growth is projected to be moderate in 2027, projected above-average increases for several specialized roles show where employers are competing for talent.
For employers, attracting and retaining skilled professionals will require more than competitive salaries. Developing existing employees, supporting certifications and building access to specialized expertise can help organizations strengthen their finance and accounting capabilities.
For professionals, expertise in financial analysis, reporting, ERP systems, automation, AI and regulatory compliance can create opportunities to take on more complex responsibilities and potentially increase earning potential.
Finance and accounting professionals who can combine financial expertise with technology skills, adaptability and strategic thinking may be particularly well positioned for long-term career growth.
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