2025 Canada Accounting and Finance Job Market Trends

3.2%* March 2025 unemployment rate

Finance and accounting leaders face mounting challenges, from budget constraints and technical debt, to change management and skills gaps. Recruiting people with the needed expertise remains a hurdle due to low unemployment and the increasing demand for accountants and finance professionals with a financial systems background, industry-specific experience, and strong technology skills.

This talent shortage comes at a critical time, as finance and accounting teams 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 team members.

Strategic priorities for 2025

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

Budgeting and forecasting

Accurate financial reporting and compliance

Improving planning, budgeting and forecasting processes

Profitability analysis

AI implementation

Upgrading finance technology

Budget
constraints for
headcount Technical
debt Change
management Cross-
functional
collaboration Skills gaps
on the team Employee
engagement Budget
constraints for
headcount Technical
debt Change
management Cross-
functional
collaboration Skills gaps
on the team Employee
engagement

Talent shortages and skills gaps are critical challenges for many firms, and teams that are stretched thin risk making costly errors, including financial inaccuracies and delayed reporting. These gaps can disrupt daily operations and strategic initiatives, leaving leaders struggling to maintain confidence in financial reporting.

of leaders are offering paid internships for students and new grads to help build talent pipelines.

65% of finance and accounting leaders reported skills gaps within their department, and 57% said the impact of those gaps has increased in the last year.

Tax Audit Payroll Financial
reporting Finance
and FP&A Tax Audit Payroll Financial
reporting Finance
and FP&A

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Almost all finance and accounting leaders say they need to add new staff or at least maintain current headcounts to deliver on top business priorities. Yet 93% of those hiring said it’s challenging to find skilled talent in the current market.

of leaders are hiring for new permanent positions.

are hiring only for vacated permanent positions.

Hiring plans for 2025 — contract professionals

53% of finance and accounting leaders say they’re increasing their use of contract talent. They also shared the difficulties they’re having finding these professionals.

Meeting salary expectations

Difficulty assessing skills and experience

Finding candidates who align with corporate culture

Lack of skilled candidates

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.

Accounting manager

Billing clerk

Collections/credit analyst

Cost accountant

Director of finance

Financial analyst 

Payroll administrator

Procurement manager

Senior accountant

Tax manager

Learn more about the top roles in demand

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*Statistics Canada, seasonally adjusted, April 2025.

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-plus employees) businesses in private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across Canada.

Over 200,000 new positions from more than 5,400 unique job boards and company websites provided by TextKernel are represented in our analysis of in-demand roles, including 6,000-plus placements from Robert Half. This dataset includes roles across the finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and human resources professions. 