A new report shows that those with finance and accountancy skills are in high demand as firms look for deeper technical expertise.
Finance experiencing fastest-growing hiring intentions across all professional disciplines
Demand for specialist talent in finance is accelerating faster than the function can modernise.
That’s according to data from Robert Half, which also shows that finance and accounting is seeing one of the strongest increases in planned hiring among white-collar fields.
- 58% of employers expect to increase their permanent headcount by the summer (up from 50% in the second half of 2025).
- 43% plan to hire contract or interim professionals (up from 39% in the previous period).
This demand is being driven by a need for deeper technical expertise, with UK employers citing the most sought-after skills:
- Data analytics (cited by 49%)
- Generative AI solutions (48%)
- Budgeting and forecasting (47%)
- Financial reporting (46%)
- Financial analysis (45%)
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Finance and Accounting function is evolving at a remarkable pace
Commenting on the findings, Matt Weston, Senior Managing Director UK & Ireland, at Robert Half, said, “Businesses are accelerating their digital transformation initiatives, resulting in extremely high demand for finance professionals who can combine technical rigour with modern analytical and AI-driven capabilities.
“Employers are no longer looking solely for traditional accounting expertise. Instead, they want individuals who can interpret data, implement new technologies and support stronger financial governance.
“We are seeing a clear shift towards building smarter, more adaptable finance teams. The challenge for employers is that these skills remain in short supply, intensifying competition for qualified talent and driving up salary premiums, particularly in areas such as financial reporting and analytics.
“As companies continue the race to modernise, expanding both permanent and contingent workforces has become essential to keep pace with business demands and ensure finance functions remain effective and forward-looking.”
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