Finance & accounting job market outlook for 2025

Discover the latest finance market trends

In 2024, we saw both finance candidates and companies hesitant to hire or move jobs as several factors, including economic conditions and changing workforce expectations, caused uncertainty.  

However, the demand for top talent in 2025 remains strong and will only increase over the next twelve months. When that happens, you’ll need accurate finance and accounting salary data, along with knowledge of the current landscape, to create appealing offers.  

Keep reading to learn more about the accounting job market, what top finance professionals look for in their next role, and how you can best prepare to ensure you achieve your 2025 goals.

An evolving landscape

The 2025 finance job market presents a mixed picture. The demand for skilled professionals is steadily rising due to multiple factors, most notably, the talent shortage and rapidly advancing technology.  

The accounting shortage

Nearly 75% of certified public accountants (CPAs) reached retirement age by 2020. Not to mention, fewer recruits are entering the market, leaving 35% of organizations struggling to hire finance professionals, according to our Talent Trends report.

Unsurprisingly, this talent shortage has the potential to impact organizations’ bottom line, paving the way for compliance issues and errors in financial statements. As a result, the demand for accounting professionals is quickly rising and expected to grow 6% by 2025.

Technological transformations

Like many other fields, finance has been transformed by technology in recent years. For example, AI, automation, and machine learning are capable of completing repetitive tasks, like bookkeeping, requiring a reassessment of role responsibilities. To assist with such advancements, candidates proficient in these emerging technologies will be in high demand.

However, securing such skilled workers will require some effort as many professionals are assessing the personal risks of moving jobs in times of uncertainty. Of the 35% of companies struggling to hire finance talent, 32% cite finding skilled candidates as the top challenge.  

So, how can you attract top talent?

Appeal to finance professionals' motivations

Whether you want to retain or attract top finance talent, learning what motivates them to stay or move jobs is key. Considering candidate sentiment is especially important when many are cautious about making a move. The most successful hires involve a holistic, flexible approach:

• Flexible work arrangements: In 2024, return-to-office policies increased, with major companies requiring in-office presence five days a week. For 51% of finance professionals who consider workplace flexibility essential, this trend may pose issues. Companies can overcome this by offering hybrid options or top-range salaries.
• Healthy work-life balance: 60% of industry workers say work-life balance is most important to job satisfaction. Offering well-being initiatives like PTO, mental health support, and physical health programs can go a long way in engaging top talent.  
• Competitive compensation: 53% of industry professionals say salary is most important when accepting or applying for roles. Determine whether you’re paying enough to secure finance professionals with our 2025 Salary Guides.

Download your free salary guide copy

Take the temporary role route

In 2024, hiring timelines for permanent finance roles lengthened, as extensive hiring panels and interview stages prolonged the process.  

To combat this, organizations opted to hire finance professionals on a temporary basis instead, saving on time and budget. For companies that want sustainable solutions, first hiring a temp employee can serve as an effective trial period before transitioning them into a permanent position.

Invest in training and development

With less skilled talent on the market, managers must make efforts to develop their existing workforce through training initiatives and professional development opportunities. Providing space for skills and career growth not only improves retention but may also entice new professionals to join your team.  

The bottom line

Moving forward, staying informed of the latest industry trends and workers’ motivations will help you secure the best talent on the market.

If you want more insights, the Michael Page 2025 Salary Guides contains the latest hiring trends and salaries for accountants and other finance professionals. Download your copy to inform your talent strategy or benchmark your own salary in 2025.