2025 Accounting and Finance Job Market Trends

Finance and accounting leaders face mounting challenges, from technical debt and budget constraints to staffing shortages and skills gaps on their teams. Recruiting people with the needed expertise remains a hurdle due to low unemployment and the increasing demand for accountants and finance professionals skilled in regulatory compliance and financial systems expertise.

This talent shortage comes at a critical time, as accounting and finance leaders navigate complex digital transformation initiatives and address growing demands for real-time financial insights and forecasting. Many finance departments are struggling to modernize legacy systems while maintaining accurate reporting, putting additional pressure on existing team members.

Strategic priorities for 2025

Finance and accounting leaders shared what they’re focusing on this year:

Accurate financial reporting and compliance

Improving planning, budgeting and forecasting processes

AI implementation

Refining data and analytics strategies

Profitability analysis

Cross-
functional
collaboration Budget
constraints for
headcount Outdated
technology Skills gaps
on the team Employee
engagement Leadership
alignment Cross-
functional
collaboration Budget
constraints for
headcount Outdated
technology Skills gaps
on the team Employee
engagement Leadership
alignment

The accountant shortage is a critical challenge for most firms, from small practices to the Big Four and among corporate accounting departments large and small.

of leaders bring back retired workers on a consulting basis to help mitigate the shortage.

71% of finance and accounting leaders reported skills gaps within their department, and 72% said the negative impact of those gaps has increased in the last year.

Finance
and FP&A Financial
reporting Tax General
accounting AP, AR and
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Almost all accounting and finance leaders plan to add new staff or at least maintain headcounts to deliver on top business priorities. Yet 93% said it’s challenging to find skilled talent in the current job market.

of finance and accounting leaders are hiring for new permanent positions.

are hiring only for vacated permanent positions.

Hiring plans for 2025: contract professionals

68% of finance and accounting leaders said they’re increasing their use of contract talent. They also shared the difficulties they’re having finding these professionals.

Finding candidates who align with corporate culture

Lack of skilled candidates

Difficulty assessing skills and experience

Meeting candidates’ pay expectations

Finance and accounting professionals in highest demand

The following positions are in the top 10% of finance and accounting roles in demand, according to an analysis of thousands of job postings and Robert Half placements.

Accountant

Accounting manager

Accounting specialist

Accounts payable specialist

Accounts receivable specialist

Bookkeeper

Financial analyst

Payroll manager/supervisor

Payroll specialist/administrator

Tax manager

Article: Learn more about the top roles in demand

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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 the U.S.

Over 6 million new positions from more than 8,000 independent job boards and company websites, including 100,000+ placements from Robert Half, are represented in our analyses of in-demand roles. This dataset includes roles across the finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, healthcare support, and human resources professions.